| Author |
Topic: Steelers wearing bifocals |
Andy Jones
From:
Mississippi
|
Posted 22 Dec 2006 9:28 pm |
|
| I've never seen or heard of this,so maybe some one can comment on this.I wear bifocals and after about an hour of practicing,it takes 15 or 20 minutes to get my eyes back in focus.I tried playing without my glasses,but it gave me a headache.Seriously,any suggestions? |
|
|
|
Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
|
Posted 22 Dec 2006 10:01 pm
|
|
| I use varilux lenses - like a bifocal but the lens varies continuously instead of changing abruptly. I wear them all the time now - after doing it for a while, I got used to pointing my head in the right direction to give me the correct lens power, rather than moving my eyes to get it. Moving the head, not the eyes, is the key for me, but I know people who have trouble with these too. |
|
|
|
Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
|
Posted 22 Dec 2006 10:10 pm
|
|
| I used to wear trifocals. Talk about driving you nuts! The neck seemed to be constantly jumping. Then I discovered the gradual lens and never looked back (after I got used to them). It's the only way to go. |
|
|
|
Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
|
Posted 22 Dec 2006 10:53 pm
|
|
I wear progressives but can't wear them when playing. It totally messes up the perspective at different points on the fretboard and messes with my intonation.
I wear them when I work on amps/guitars, read a book, or drive. |
|
|
|
Ron Sodos
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
|
Posted 22 Dec 2006 11:22 pm
|
|
Funny, I wear bifocals and never even thought about any problem until reading this post. I always wear them when playing. When I first got them years ago I made the glasses so the line was rather low. I have never had a problem playing steel. Maybe your split is too high and right in the middle....  |
|
|
|
Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
|
Posted 22 Dec 2006 11:57 pm
|
|
| It might be more a question of the nature and strength of the prescription, or not being used to the bifocals, if that's new for you, rather than the fact of being bifocals. I've worn bifocals since I was 5 or 6 (I'm 55 now), and haven't had any problems like what you describe with playing steel, but the prescription in the bottom segment of my bifocals is very slight, hardly different from not having my glasses on, so either for that reason or because I'm so completely used to them, my experience may not be relevant here. Playing steel, like reading a book, naturally involves looking down, through the bottom segment, and my eyes are comfortable at the distance(s). However, I can't use the computer with my glasses on without getting a crick in my neck from tilting my head back. I would imagine progressives would drive me crazy, though. |
|
|
|
Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 12:05 am
|
|
Ahh , a new excuse for not being in tune !! 
------------------
Olli Haavisto
Finland
www.ollihaavisto.com
|
|
|
|
Roger Kelly
From:
Bristol,Tennessee
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 3:28 am
|
|
I got rid of my Bifocals a long time ago and went to soft disposal contacts. My optometrist adjusted my contacts so I can see up close better with my right eye and at a distance better with my left eye. It is like having Bifocals for up close viewing like playing my guitar or reading, but I can also see very good at a distance for road signs and all. This can easily be done for most anyone who can wear contacts and was no problem for me at all. I highly recommend it.
Merry Christmas  |
|
|
|
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 4:05 am
|
|
I never had problems with bifocals when playing steel. I had the prescription so that it wasn't real strong on the bifocal part.
I had cataract surgery earlier this year and no more glasses. I can see the fretboard fine now. I only use reading glasses for the newspaper and very fine print items. |
|
|
|
Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 5:25 am
|
|
| I wear the progressive type lenses and I've never noticed any problems with regard to playing steel. However, I do notice that after using the PC for than 15 or 20 minutes my eyes require an adjustment period to see sharply at a distance. (eg. going from PC to watching t.v) |
|
|
|
Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 5:32 am
|
|
At last, a complete,and detailed reason why my playing has been so bad all these years.[or maybe not]
BF |
|
|
|
Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 6:57 am
|
|
Bi-focals?
This is a problem I've faced for a long time, being a welder by trade it has really been a challenge to keep glasses that I could see out of while welding, this problem has been carried over to playing a steel. Bi-focals just didn't work for me for ether application.
The simplest an best solution I've come up with for me is a pair of reading glasses from Wal-Mart, a pair that lets me see good out at arms length, I put them on when I sit down behind my steel and I lay my regular glasses out of the way.
Yes, it's a pain in the a@# but it works for me, I can see my fret board and strings, and no more headache.
Larry
-edited for spelling-----------------
"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"
[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 23 December 2006 at 07:00 AM.] [This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 23 December 2006 at 07:01 AM.] |
|
|
|
Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 7:27 am
|
|
I think the problem with perspective and my progressives is that the prescription(which is actually a pretty low correction) is for nearsightedness in one eye and farsightedness in the other, plus astigmatism (but different) in both. That's why I can't wear contacts - with the astigmatism I could have my choice of clarity close up or far away with either eye, but not the same with both. But the astigmatism is what really tosses pespective for a loop when combined with the other prescriptions - it's like the note on the car mirror "some objects may be closer than they appear." One eye sees the frets at one distance, the other as further away....so bar placement is almost impossible with glasses on.
But I can see clearly from about 1 1/2 to 6 feet, so it's not a problem leaving them off playing steel. Plus, I can't see the rude gestures coming from the audience...or the audience....
;-) |
|
|
|
Lonny Servin
From:
Oregon, WI, USA
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 8:53 am
|
|
| Andy, just wear a cheap pair of reading glasses in the power you need for that distance when you play steel. I have the same problem with no-line bifocals. [This message was edited by Lonny Servin on 23 December 2006 at 08:54 AM.] |
|
|
|
Colm Chomicky
From:
Kansas, (Prairie Village)
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 9:16 am
|
|
Ditto, I wear inexpensive reading glasses when playing the steel. Works fine for me.
I wear contacts for nearsightedness, but the reading glasses back-off the correction which I do not need at close distances.[This message was edited by Colm Chomicky on 23 December 2006 at 09:20 AM.] |
|
|
|
BJ Jenkins
From:
Dunn,North Carolina
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 10:06 am
|
|
Fellows, May I add something to the mix ?
I am no Clyde Mattocks or Buddy Emmons on the steel by any means tho neither one of these great players loves Steel Music any more than I do but let me suggest that those Steel Pickers with vision problems consider Vitamin Suppliments to nourish the eyes.While you have vision ,central focus,hold on to it.
Due to Macula Degeneration,I am having to get real familiar with pick and bar position on the neck by "Feel" while I can still see ,some.
My central vision is going down the tubes ,rapidily.I am preparing myself to be a blind picker.
I am aiding my vision as best I can by using eye vitamins which are available from several sources. I wear the "seamless glasses and it helps some BUT I fully understand the difficulty you with Bifocals are having when the vision starts to give problems.
When MY vision problems started some years ago and I finally found out what was happening,I got by with "Readers" around 1.5 to 2.5 dioptor.I used the type that you could see-over,I guess you call them "half lenses" which I took off and stuck in my pocket when not picking.
I hope all you tuggin with the vision thing will prosper and get it under control to your satisfaction.
I will be rootin for you.
Thanks for letting me say my piece .
bj
------------------
BJ Jenkins
|
|
|
|
Dave Ristrim
From:
Whites Creek, TN
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 6:53 pm
|
|
It's hell getting old! I will be buying something like bifocals soon. My near vision is slipping fast. Once I hit 40, it was all down hill, oh well. I know I have a detatched vitrious or something like that.
I've been getting by with low power readers, but I think it's about time to move into some pro glasses. The only time I really need them while playing steel is when I break a string. It's impossible to get the ball end of the string where it needs to be, not to mention threading the string onto the tuner post! |
|
|
|
Brad Malone
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 7:57 pm
|
|
The simplest an best solution I've come up with for me is a pair of reading glasses from Wal-Mart, a pair that lets me see good out at arms length, I put them on when I sit down behind my steel and I lay my regular glasses out of the way.
Yes, it's a pain in the a@# but it works for me, I can see my fret board and strings, and no more headache.
Larry<<
Hey Larry, your answer is the same as mine..a pair of reading glasses is the way to go, put the bi-focals in your shirt pocket and switch when your done playing the set. |
|
|
|
Andy Jones
From:
Mississippi
|
Posted 23 Dec 2006 7:58 pm
|
|
Gentlemen,Thank you for all of your replies and advice.I looked back at my prescription and discovered that I've been wearing the same prescription almost 5 years!That probably has a little to do with my problem.What a geek!By the way Dave,just wait 'till you start going up and down steps with those new bifocals.I busted my a$$ several times until I got used to them.
Andy |
|
|
|
