Retired to the Guitar

I haven't touched a guitar for more than 30 years. When I lived in the Netherlands I took lessons from Peter van Dorst, who still features in the top echelon of guitarists in that country. Circumstances dictated that my lessons were interrupted; I had to move back to the UK. For many reasons I gave up trying to play the guitar, something that I regret a great deal. I am retired now. I have tried to get to grips with playing the harmonica and find it really difficult to 'bend' a note, which doesn't help if you want to play "The Blues"!

And so, at this tender age of 69, I have decided to take up the guitar again. That's right. After more than 30 years, with fingers considerably less supple than they were, I want to play the guitar. Nothing fancy. Start with the chords I remember (I think!) And for no other reason than personal pleasure. Something to practice in a fixed routine. Daily. That's the plan. So, I have invested in a Yamaha FG700MS Acoustic supplied by Sheehans Music. These guys are experts in guitars.  And this is the guitar I have ordered.

http://www.sheehans.com/product/yamaha-fg700ms-acoustic-guitar/fg700ms?TRE00003

Sheehan's experienced technicians will complete a free set up before shipping the guitar. This is particularly important to get the perfect 'action' (something I remember all too well) so that the strings are situated at the optimum distance above the fret board. (ie. minimum finger pressure required in front of a fret to achieve the required sound).

In the meantime I have started to do finger exercises to improve (hopefully!) dexterity. Helped with doses of Glucosamine and Celadrin! When the guitar arrives I am determined to set aside one hour a day to practice and perhaps 20 minutes for 'noodling' (look it up!)

Coping with Arthritis

I heard someone talking about arthritis this morning on BBC2. It can be very debilitating. I know. Last year over a period of a few months the joints in the fingers of my right hand in particular (not so severe in the left) became painful and stiff and 'clicked' with movement. It progressively got worse to the extent that I could no longer form a fist (not in anger I hasten to add!).

I spent the last few years of my business career employed in the health supplements industry and amongst many had sold a product called Celadrin, a natural product comprised of a proprietary blend of cetylated fatty acid carbons. More recently this product has become vegetarian sourced.

I had to do something and saw no benefit in visiting my GP. So, during the Autumn of last year I took to a daily regime of 525mg of Celadrin combined with 1500mg of Glucosamine HCl and 250mg of Rose Hip Extract.

This treatment took a while to have any affect. But eventually the results were truly astonishing. Today I enjoy full, painless movement in all finger joints with no sign of the arthritis that I used to suffer with, quite badly. I still take these products on a daily basis.

If you suffer with arthritis you might also benefit from following this treatment regime.