[Loraine]

@Kitman I really appreciate you educating yourself on essential tremors. There are times where the tremors are minimal and I can play. You offer up some great solutions, and I think you’re spot on with all of them. I hadn’t thought about physical therapy, but it makes sense to me. I think I’m still in the early stages of it, but I’ve been paying attention to the progression of it. Alternative tuning is a definite. I also have a classical I can work with, but that’s mostly fingerpicking, and sometimes my picking hand doesn’t cooperate because of the tremors. I refuse to give up my dream of playing guitar.

[Loraine]

Well Imscrewed up today and failed to play outside. I went to an art festival and it was just too hot to sit outside when I got home. My deck is on the south side of house and gets the full sun and all the blazing heat.

[Loraine]

I don’t think it would matter wwhat key a song is in versus what key my vocals are, because I can’t hear to match the pitch one way or the other. I can typically raise or lower my vocals to what I think sounds like the right key, but I have no clue what key I’m playing or singing in. It’s all one big crap shoot.

[Loraine]

Thanks again @KayMesser ! I’ve reached out to Sam Forbes for a little more information and insight.

[Loraine]

Welcome to the TAC community @KayMesser ! Thank you so much for responding. I’ll definitely check out the podcast, and maybe track the elusive Sam down. I’m not a big fan of surgery (am an old pro to surgical procedures on practically every inch of body). I have noticed that some days are much better than others, and yes I think rest and less stress (physical and emotional) play a big role in if it’s a fairly good day or bad day. My hands have had tremors for over a year now, but it’s gotten progressively worse to where I am having difficulty with certain things and much more noticeable to others. Thanks again, and I hope you remain active in the forums. Keep on plunking!

[Loraine]

@Bill_Brown Thank you so much for looking at this and educating yourself, and for the possible nerve treatment (it is a nerve disorder). I’ll take a look at the info later tonight.

[Loraine]

Thanks @ChuckS , yes I think I’ll look into physical therapy. It can’t hurt that’s for sure.

[Loraine]

@Cadgirl thanks for the tidbit. Im pretty good at routine and breaking it into smaller sessions, so I’ve been doing something right. If the shaking is too extreme, I just hang my hat for a short period and then try again. It really just depends on the moment in time how they’ll be. Sometimes there is barely any shaking, and other times I can’t make a chord or fingerpick for the life of me.

[Loraine]

Thanks @Mrfredsporty , I’m looking into the open tunings a little more. I know power chords are easier than full chords too.

[Loraine]

Thanks so much for your support @Philb

[Loraine]

Thank you @stevieblues . I’ll have to take it a day at a time.

[Loraine]

Yeah, I’m outside Philly, so I completely understand about the rarity of a nice breeze, especially with the type of Summer we’ve been having (very hot, humid, and no rainfall). Get out when you can and have fun!

[Loraine]

I’m not sure what area of the world you are ChuckS, but we also had a nice breeze late morning/early afternoon, but it became very hot very quickly in the afternoon. I’ll have to shoot more for the a.m. period next year. Sounds like you felt a freedom in playing without worrying about what others thought, and I think that’s a large part of the movement. Freedom and enjoyment of music outdoors. Nothing beats it.

[Loraine]

@Cadgirl I’m all for the Zoom meeting. I’ve done them with a few others and always enjoyed the interaction and getting to know people better. It feels safer on Zoom, rather than in person and making me get out of my comfort zone known as my hermit hut

[Loraine]

@Cadgirl & @N-lightMike that makes 3 of us with hearing aids, but I go days without wearing them, because it’s just me and the dog typically. But, I don’t play or sing loudly usually, but I’ve heard many with hearing difficulties do that. That might be part of my problem hearing pitch. Mike, what are you referring to when you say you use the guitar as a tuning fork?