Musicians: How Long Have you had to lay off your instrument and how

[Mike03]

long did it take you regain the aptitude you had lost?

One of my favorite distractions was to play the guitar, which I have done for about ten years. But last summer I had to stop (or did stop) and it's been eight months since I've played the guitar. I'm almost scared to go back to it. I know I've lost the strength in my hands, fingers, etc.. My callouses are gone.

It used to be one of my very favorite things to do, and an incredible stress reliever.

Fear has become an obstacle, because I don't know how much I will remember or how long it will take me to regain the agility in my hands.

Have I been away too long? Anyone have any words of advice? I'm almost afraid to go through that process again of strenghtening my fingers, relearning all of those chords that use to come so naturally.

[asthmaticeog]

1. WTF? Just PLAY!

Get back on the horse, ferfuxsakes.

[Karenina]

8. Seconded!!! JUST PLAY. NOW!!!

Three EASY steps:

1. Turn OFF the damn computer.
2. Pick up yer ax.
3. PLAY!

[DarkTirade]

2. They'll come back.

I didn't play violin for three years, and yet when I picked it up again within minutes I recorded http://www.stickmanltd.com/practicesessions/violinafterseveralyears.mp3">this. Not great, but not bad for someone who hadn't played in 3 years.

I've also gone for long periods of time without playing, or hardly ever playing my guitar. And I picked it right back up again. Yeah, the strength and calluses needed to come back. But they do that with playing.

[harmonicon]

3. Don't worry about it

Who's paying you to play guitar? How much are they going to lose on that investment? Oh.... nothing? So, don't worry. For one thing, 8 months isn't very long. I used to play bass, but haven't played in years now - the damn thing is just too big and I move around too much. Taking that up again might be hard, but I wouldn't worry about the calluses. When I did play bass a lot and had to take a break (some times as long as a month or two) I had to work up my fingers again, but if you're willing to do it, it's no big deal. If you jump back into playing in a big way there will be blistering and things, but you don't have to have that.

[MilesColtrane]

4. "Have I been away too long?"

No.

The question is, too long for what?

Yes, it's too long if you have to play a four hour gig tomorrow, but I don't think that's what you mean.

It's a simple, and slow process of retraining your muscles, and getting back your strength and calluses. The most important part of playing, what your mind hears as the sound and notes you want to produce, should be as sharp as it ever was.

In fact, I've found that having your ability limited by your physical chops doesn't impede the musicality. Consider Miles Davis.
At times in his career he was far from a virtuoso trumpet player. But, that didn't matter. He made sublime music with the chops he had available.

"Anyone have any words of advice?"

Go slow. Practice with a metronome. Strive for accuracy and a good sound. If your hands start to hurt, stop, rest and start again.

[laconicsax]

5. Umm...

Had to?
About a week while I was recovering from Bell's Palsy--I couldn't physically play. It took me about a month to get back to where I was.

I've taken breaks from some of my instruments (especially flute) for a month or so and it usually only takes a day or two to get back into fighting shape.

Just pick it up and start playing again. Muscle memory is a wonderful thing.

[BlueJazz]

7. I had Bell's for about 3 weeks...thought my playing days were over.

Started playing again and took only a few days to get up to speed. :)

[Orsino]

6. Over six months.

I wasn't playing much anyway, but last fall we moved to a new house, and only in the last few days have I picked up guitars. I'm telling myself to rebuild calluses slowly.

No great accomplishments here, but I figured out the chords to "Highway To Hell."

[momto3]

9. You never forget how to play.

Your muscle memory will kick in. I have a BA degree in flute performance, but have not played regularly in at least a decade. I know what you mean about missing it as a stress reliever! For me, the rest of life has gotten in the way and I find that there is never time to just play for myself.

When I do play, my fingers remember exactly what they are supposed to do. But, my embouchure is shot to hell. I can only play for about 10 minutes before my lips feel like they have detached from my face. So, I guess my answer is that you will remeber what to do, but it may take awhile to build up your endurance.

Good luck and have fun.

Tracy

[Iggo]

10. I played guitar all the time....

...and I mean ALL the time before I quit dope. When I quit, I stopped frequenting the homes and establishments where I played all the time. And so eventually I stopped playing for probably a couple years, maybe three. When I picked it up again, I had lost all the things you listed in the OP, Mike...hand and finger strength, callouses, agility......and surprisingly, my memory. I sat there and said, "Man, why can't I think of anything to play? I used to know a million songs!" But my muscle memory came to my rescue. Even though it hurt, my fingers remembered what to do. And with hard work and a ton of practice, I'm almost back to where I was. Though I suspect at age 46, I'm never again going to have the flexibility and stamina to be as good as I used to be.

My advice to you is to get back on that horse right the fuck now. It'll come back.

[leftofthedial]

11. just play

you'll be a little rusty and your calluses will take some time to reform.

but you'll also be out of whatever playing ruts you were in before and will find new things too

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

12. I'm a low brass player

Baritone and trombone.

I put the horn down for TWENTY-FIVE YEARS and didn't start playing again until my kid was starting band in the fifth grade (if she gets a shiney new horn, why not me?). There was a period of getting my lip back, but within a couple of months, I was back to where I was. It's different with the guitar (which I also play), but I would heartily second several other posts here and say, "Just Play It"

[kineneb]

13. now- 9 mo...depression

I just am not interested in playing, and hardly even listen... and I have my degree in music. I hope things will eventually turn around.

My advice- when you feel so moved, pick up your instrument and start playing again. You might be surprised at how much muscle memory you have. You will be rusty for a bit, but some things that were difficult will actually be easier, since your mind has had time to sort things out.

Been there, will probably go there again (re-occurring clinical depression).

[chromotone]

14. Musicians are athletes.

Recently, I got out my double bass and started jamming along with some Chet Baker and Joe Pass CDs. I hadn't played in decades, but I am getting back my technique slowly but surely. Yeah, it takes a little time to get back the strength and dexterity in my fingers, hands, and arms, just like an athlete, but it's fun!

Plus the mental challenge is both rewarding and relaxing. Once I compiled the lead sheets for many of the songs on the CDs, I found myself mentally "walking" my bass by reading the chord symbols at work. I carry them folded in the breast pocket of my coat and read them whenever I have a few minutes to myself.