Although I’m not a sports fan, I have been known to use sports metaphors in lessons. “Swinging two bats in the on-deck circle” materializes on a semi-regular basis while discussing a few aspects of practice. The title of this entry is not a phrase that I tend to employ, but it feels apropos for this January missive given that I have two adult students who are off of the schedule due to shoulder injuries, and one youthful student who showed up last week despite a broken thumb.
As I would mention to anyone sitting in the lesson room with an injured limb/digit, or someone who returns after an extended absence: “You can always work on the limb that isn’t injured.”
If the left hand is not usable, work on picking exercises. I don’t care how good someone believes their picking to be, we all need improvement.
If the right hand is inoperable, left hand exercises are certainly available.
Beyond the physical development of the hands, we can work on listening, rhythm, awareness of the neck/position of notes, song form, chord theory, and so much more.
Many years ago, I was involved with a commitment to practice two hours each day. Within the first few weeks, I wound up with a noticeable illness (a not-quite flu) that kept me from going out to work for a few days. But, I found I felt better while practicing. The morning and night were uncomfortable, but the afternoon presented a mitigation in the symptoms to the extent that I could sit on a chair and practice. Almost two years prior, I did have the flu and couldn’t remain upright, situations vary.
So much of everyday life conspires to keep us in mundane activities like: taking out the garbage, washing laundry, homework, mowing the lawn, etc. If we can use an otherwise loss of “normal activities” to our advantage, why not?
Alex Kelley 