Re: CMT musicians and/or band

[Guest guest]

you play music in a band, thats great.I am a drummer here .is there anyone

else in a band with CMT?

[Guest guest]

I play tuba in a community band. It's getting harder though as I find the

loudness of the other instruments sometimes hurts my ears. And my fingers are

just not as responsive as they used to be. I'm taking a break from it now and

will probably try one more time in the spring, and if that doesn't work out,

will donate the tuba to the school district.

O

[Guest guest]

" Jazz Musician in the CMTA Newsletter "

 

Did anyone see this? There is a jazz musician, McNeil, he was just written

up in the CMTA report, and that he uses these metal splints around his fingers

to help him play. You should check into this, it sounds like it may be

beneficial to you.  I love jazz,

and I looked him up, and ordered one of his CD's from Amazon.com

 

Also interesting, I looked at his musical listings on Amazon, and one of his

songs is titled, " Waltz Helios " .  I bet he wears the Helios braces, really found

this interesting as that is what I wear, has anyone heard of this musician

before? I am looking forward to receiving this CD, it is called " East Coast

Cool " .    Very Cool!

 

Wayne

[Guest guest]

O,

I have been playing drums for over 20 yers for fun now it is partly

physical therapy,I do believe it's helping me.I play every day now cuz I know

that I can not play forever.

Geoff in AZ

[Guest guest]

I play alto sax in a community band--been at it for one year.

I just started playing the sax 4 years ago, in my early 50's.

Joan nte

[Guest guest]

Hi all! Interesting topic, one I hadn't thought about. I am a

musician - started guitar at nine years of age ( now 52). Lost the

ability to play piano very well a few years ago, after tendon transfers

in both hands. I have played in various bands and toured. It isn't

always easy, and at times I get frustrated, but I refuse to give up.

When asked to audition for bands, I used to tell them about

my " diminished " ability, but I have since quit doing that, since I would have

always been offed the gig. My wife helped me with it - she

reminded me that I'm much better with CMT than a lot of folk without

it! Just a matter of perspective.

Mike

[Guest guest]

Mike

Thank You for your story.I have been faced with that same question,mention my

CMT or dont? I end up only playing with friends who know me already and

understand my dropped stick and every now and then miss snare hit (that makes a

big hole in a song).My CMT holds me back in that going pro will never be for

me.Playing about 28 years(38now) and for me-Good thing I truely love to play

music for the sake of playing music,I dont even care if nobody ever hears

it.strange I know.LOL

Geoff in AZ

[Guest guest]

Geoff -

Thanks for your comments. Let me share a couple of things with you.

A friend who I played with for about a year ( he had been playing

professionally for years) told me to remember that it wasn't how good

I was, it was how good the audience thought I was! As a result I am

focusing on playing more slowly, and with more emotion - not with

lightening speed. It works. Also, when I make mistakes, and

everyone does - I've heard greats like Clapton miss a note - I

attribute it to " artistic interpretation " !!! Try it - it's amazing

how much you can get away with, and it makes music that much more

fun. On a side note, my son also has CMT and is a phenomenal

drummer! I am sure your better than you think you are!

Mike

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Thanks man,I am my own worst critic lol.I never wanted to be a fast

drummer.ok mabe when I was younger I did but now I have my own home studio and

most of the music that comes out of me is more jazzish and funk.or a

PinkFloydish kinda Rock.I also have kind of always hungry to be better

atitude,music is great for this cuz you can never master it.Your son is the

other CMT drummer I have ever heard of.You mean there is another one out

there!!!cool!!!ask him if he thinks it slows him down at all? Im curious to

know.Thanks again.

Geoff

[Guest guest]

Yes. I play in several bands and it does get more difficult as I get

more nerve loss in my hands, but I am still going. One of the bands I

play marimba and bells with is Two Star Symphony and we got a mention

in the October issue of Spin magazine. We are so excited about that! I also sing

and play marimba, bells and vocals with The Seximals.

In addition, I play ukulele, flute and piano and only the tiniest bit of

accordion and guitar. Honestly, it is the piano that is the hardest now with the

nerve loss. I am definitely not as good as I used to be before I had CMT

symptoms. My accuracy on the marimba frustrates me sometimes and I have to use

very heavy mallets to get the proprioceptive feedback that I need. I try not to

fret - bad pun (: LOL - about not being able to do this anymore.

You never know what life will bring. I just lost a very talented friend and

fellow musician a week ago to cancer. Things like that really make you

appriciate the health that you do have.

By the way, everyone, I am here in Houston, TX and we are suffering

the after affects of Hurricane IKE. I have been without electricity

for 14 days now. Can you believe it?

420 Drummer - now that is a heck of a pseudonym. The 420, that is just for

medicinal purposes, right? (; - who do you play with and where are you from?

[Guest guest]

My son Adam (17) loves the guitar. Last year he started playing and has never

given up. His hands have gained some strength over the year of playing. He

mentioned a few weeks ago that he can play the cords now.

[Guest guest]

,

I am In Phoenix and 420 was my band when I made up my email address

many years ago. LOL yes I can change it but it does start conversation.

Geoff