I Retired from Band #2

Getting old isn't for the faint of heart.

In an effort to master the guitar, I joined 2 groups. I know, I know...if anything is worth doing, it's worth over doing.

The first group is with Yella and is a Rock n' Roll band with a big sound. The second group is a vocal duet with two ladies that is more a folk rock group with a lighter sound.

As I practiced to develop the music for these two groups, my left fretting hand started to get problems. Like arthritis and tendonitis and several other itis's.

In an effort to find out what the problem was, I limited my guitar playing to 30 to 45 minutes a day for a month with small improvements. Then I quit playing for 3 weeks and the hand healed up.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that I suffered from over playing and "getting older."

Today, I called the members of group #2 and quit. Very hard to do. Given the enormous amount of work that goes into rehearsing a band that can play for 3 hours. And they were great people to play with too.

They were all understanding and I don't think there will be hard feelings. The piano player did say that he thought band #2 will have to add another player before they perform again. He doesn't want to carry the total instrumental load which I understand.

Good luck to them for finding someone.

I have been playing all week for 30 to 45 minutes a day. My hand is still in good shape but I can feel it on the edge of slipping back. We rehearse tomorrow for 3 hours so that will be the litmus test.

I can't wait to try out my new toys that I bought will in Colorado!

And it will be fun to play with the band again!