The Steel Guitar Forum

The recent suicides of Kieth Emerson, and of Danny Gatton a few years ago because their hands were not working properly and they could no longer play, prompts the question. And it's one we all might face.

For me, the answer is that I would write. I would compose music, and try to write novels.

What would you do?

I have so many other hobbies that I'd just concentrate more on them. It's not like I rely on playing steel for my livelihood.

As long as I can breath, I should still be able to play the harmonica. I don't expect that to gain me any respect around here though.

i'd hang myself in jail.

Get a lot more rest

I can't imagine being so incapacitated that I wouldn't be able to play something. It wouldn't bother me that much if I couldn't play pedal steel. MOF, I've slowed down a bunch and don't touch it very often anymore. As long as I could play my other instruments... guitar, mandolin, dobro, lap steel or keys. I'd be happy.

I think I'd have to have something to noodle on, but if it came down to it, I could just be content listening to all the great recorded music I've accumulated over the years and get my kicks from that. Certainly wouldn't take it to the extreme you cite above.

I hope I never have to find out, but still, I'm so thankful for all the years I've been able to play music.

My concern is not so much that I won't be able to play but that my will and inspiration to play will fade away.

Mike Perlowin wrote:The recent suicides of Kieth Emerson, and of Danny Gatton a few years ago because their hands were not working properly and they could no longer play, prompts the question.

Not that it's relevant to your topic, but I don't think Danny Gatton's suicide was because he could no longer play. There's a CD of a concert he played at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA on Sept. 9, 1994, 25 days before his death, and nothing on it suggests that there was anything wrong with his hands.

Mike I'm in almost the opposite situation today.

I've had 4 herniated disc in my neck. They were pressing on my spinal cord. So now I have about 60% of the strength in my left arm and I've lost some fine motor skills. Not to mention the numbness and cramping.

Surgery stopped the progression but the damage was done. So I still try to play some 6 string guitar but I have trouble doing so at times. Not all the time but enough to cause issues.

So now I play a lot less 6 string and a lot more PSG. I don't need the fine motor skills or the strength for my left hand as long as I can hold a bar.

So for me PSG is the therapy. If I get to the place where I can't play PSG then it's on to recording, composing, or anything that keeps me involved musically.

The time is here for me too. The mild strokes I have had, are affecting my right side. That includes weakness and loss of fine motor skills in my hand. My elbow is dropping to where it keeps affecting my picking, and I think that is caused by the fact that I now lean to my right rather than strait up. I can no longer do harmonics of any kind. After about an hour, I can't feel my right foot. I'm still able to work the volume pedal for now. It's really a struggle to play. I'm trying to fight through it every day. After that, I don't know. Music has been my life since I was in grade school (5 years ago for anyone keeping score), and the other life things worked around that.

I'm just now starting to see about playing some of the bigger gigs that a local band does. I will now be part of 4 bands. None are identical. Variety is the spice of life, I hear.

So I'm not giving up without a fight.

And, that doesn't take into account my back and sciatica.

I've already experienced the slowing down of my memory and even minor losses in my motivation.

I hope to play steel until the day I die. That could happen sooner than I'd desire as I'm 78 now.

Never realized how old I actually am.

Shoot my pistols. Can't hear anyway !

Richard Sinkler wrote: So I'm not giving up without a fight.

No one gets out of here alive, so good for you, Richard.

Maybe I'll figure out how to play the darned thing while I can still carry it up the stairs. "Yes, doctor... I am getting regular exercise."

Go fishing more.

I'd sing, and I'd listen more.

Just two weeks ago, I bought my first pedal steel (Stage One), in part because I have always loved the tone, but also because a left hand injury has made guitar-playing painful. I am also playing dobro and lap steel for the same reasons. Now I have a bunch of six-string acoustics that sit in their cases. So it goes.

If I ever get to the point where I can no longer play anything, I will sing. I am compelled to make music somehow.

Andrew Roblin wrote:I'd sing, and I'd listen more.

I absolutely love this answer.

I would learn how to play the banger and yodel.

What would you do if you couldn't play anymore?

I might actually buy an I-phone, and act like all the other idiots out there that already have one!

I'd go back to school to be a brain surgeon.

RC

According to my wife I'd get a LOT of stuff done if I weren't always jamming with this gaggle of slack-jawed hillbilly pickin heathens I call friends.

I'd ride my Harley more!

James Sission wrote:Go fishing more.

Yep, same here...

in reality, i'd probably just sit around and complain.
that's pretty much all i do anyway.

Find other ways of still being involved with music.

Maybe see if I could help groups record their band demos?
I've also considered looking into doing volunteer work with music therapy for quite a while now.
You don't always have to play an instrument to do that type of work.

http://musictherapyportland.com

As much as I love the sound of steel guitar, being musical isn't just about steel guitar for me.

Also, I know this idea won't be very popular with some around here (maybe most), but there is something called a "step editor" in most DAW's.
As long as you can play just a couple of measures at a time(on a keyboard), you could possibly piece together your musical idea.
Then maybe look for other musicians to help you record the final tracks.



Rick