I had a stroke September 24. and had complete paralysis on the left side. my guitar playing was completely fritzed. it was on being handed my guitar that I burst into tears as I realised that I could not even move my left hand to the neck, let alone grip it. It took nearly 8 months before my fingers could press down individual notes and even then I had to concentrate so hard to move to the next note. Chords were almost impossible. THANK GOD FOR CUBASE 14 and the UAFX Enigmatic.
I started experimenting with creating rhythm tracks one or two bars at a time and used Modo Bass to do the bass parts together with Superior Drummer. Single note melodies was a real challenge looping parts until one went right. I was a long process editing part beginnings and endings.I canāt claim it sounds at all like I used to play. I had to use the lightest strings (008ās) and I still canāt manage vibrato an bending notes is hard. Those phrases I could not pick I tapped using both hands.
I have had to let go of the past to move forward, but at least now I can see a future in playing. the track is not brilliant and is a statement of where I am now, warts and all!
If any other stroke survivor wishes to get in touch please PM me.
I once knew a guy who fully recovered from a stroke similar to yours. After months of hard practice he was finally able to play piano and ukulele again!
Thanks a lot. Playing means everything to me and I donāt plan to give up. Having had a stroke has given me a new way of looking at things abandoning nostalgic longing for my past abilities which for the time being are gone. Cubase has been a lifesaver for me.
Track sounds great @silhouette! Itās very cool to be able witness someone standing up to such a challenge. It brings me almost to tears to read. I play violin, and being a musician is really my lifeās saving grace. One occasionally thinks about what it would mean to lose thatā¦ my hope is that if I face a similar thing I face it with the perspective you have taken. More power to you!
Wishing you continued improvement and music making!
Thanks a lot Steve. Having a stroke is a downer, but you have to fight back. The neuron pathways grow back at a mm a day so you have to get used to things taking a long time. I am beginning to make progress. I am learning to tap and I said i would never do that. Embrace change! I am feeling a bit of the excitement I felt when I first started playing (in 63)
My friend who is a guitarist and song writer had a stroke two years ago. Iāve been recording him since the stroke and building up his songs. He stutters a lot still but when he sings he doesnāt stutter at all.
I pray you have a fast recovery and that you will keep progressing.
Thank you. Whatever my recovery will be, it wonāt be fast as my stroke was 14 months ago. My only real concern is that at 73 next week I have slightly less time to be creative! Music keeps me feeling good and alive! I guess that is the point, Iām not dead yet.
ā¦ and this is the key. A close friend of mine, an artist, is now two years into recovery from stroke, and sometimes I have to just sit back and applaud the courage, effort, and sheer tenacity that goes into the recovery process. The most curious and surprising aspect of it for me, as a bystander, is how this person has adapted ā not to just accept limitations, but to grow into a whole new being, and open up entire novel vistas of personal development.
@silhouette keep it up ā yes, recovery is slow, and every case is unique, but Iāve been amazed at my friendās progress, which I simply would not have thought possible two years ago.
Amazing what the love of music does.
I went down in 2004 (Cubase 5 in context) with 3 autoimmune disorders. I spent the last 8 years retraining my voice. Iām 63 now so i totally identify with that aspect. And yeah, its slow but more fulfilling than ever.
I too upgraded cubase, the uptraining is serious but itās all starting to click now. DAWās are perfect for these situations and the results are inspiring.
Keep it up and I would like to hear the next one. Iām still working on my first in 20 years.
Seriously awe inspiring, thanks for sharing it.
Not only are you doing what is best for yourself, you are also setting a good example for us all. Being positive and determined in the face of adversity is a very good quality. You seem to have such love for making music that you will do whatever you can to keep going and do the very best that you can. I wish you all the very best and hope that you will have a full recovery in time. You deserve it. I think your positive approach will help a great deal.
Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging us all to do the best we can in difficult circumstances.
Thank you all for the support and encouragement. I have always felt the Steinberg community demonstrates the more positive aspects of online behaviour. Certainly I have realized that the things that used to irritate me actually mean little in comparison to the qualities that I appreciate. My long experience with Cubase (the Atari and onwards) and the help I have had here have taught me a lot about sharing. The world outside may be crap, but I can always come here to learn something new and enjoy discussions about how we might use this wonderful tool for making music.
So sorry to hear about the stroke! Wishing you best possible recovery.
We shall never forget that the brain is generally capable of some amazing neuroplasticity, which means it can principally ārewireā, and intact areas can take over part of the functions previously served by the damaged parts.
Neuroplasticity can be facilitated by transcranial direct electric stimulation (tDCS), and intense training or practice will benefit from a healthy nutrition including omega3 fatty acids (e.b. from eating fatty fish like salmon or mackerel), lecithin, b-vitamins and antioxidants (e.g. from eating wild blueberries).
Most importantly: Try to really enjoy the music you are making right now, using all the useful modern tools that make up for some residual motor deficits. Cubase is an awesome DAW and can be also enriched with some special VSTs such as āband in a boxā, that allow to create stunning accompaniments to your audio recordings.
Holy mackerel! Duly noted that healthy eating Is an essential part of recovery. I would also add that some wonderful people have been helping me along the way. I think that the best thing that has happened to me is the time I have had to listen to music and reacquaint myself with a lot of artists I used to love. I am going to see Robben Ford as my first gig for quite a while. Gosh I love his playing, from the time I first heard him with Tom Scott and Joni and also the first Yellow Jackets album. I have also been inspired by many of the Rick Beato interviews especially the Andy Summers and Dominic Miller ones. I have also enjoyed the John Cordy podcasts, especially his adventure with two Nacho Teles.
There is a lot out there to enjoy that I might have missed without having the time to reflect upon things.
some things take time ā¦ i personally had a spine injury but i had chance it āonlyā really affected my legs [ a liitle bit in left hand ] but with cubase and some skills i can always work about ā¦ keep the faith and make great music
I was a guitarplayer and I canāt move my left arm anymore. Iām 67 and I just got retired.
I can move my Right just a bit, so I can work with an iPad using Cubasis and Dorico to write some music. I publish them on YouTube. You find me looking fo my name MICHAEL NOTHDURFT. I will never play guitar again and canāt breeze by myself. It would be nice to read a comment of yours on one video of mine. Best wishes Michael Nothdurft
I will check out your you tube channel as soon as I can. Thank you for letting me know. I am very sorry about your guitar playing. Did you have a stroke? It sounds like you have made the adjustment to your new reality, but I will guess it was not easy and I can identify with that. All my best wishes to you. I will get back to you after listening to some of your music. Well done for keeping the flame alive.
I have just listened to a number of videos. I enjoyed āIm Nebelā and will listen to this again on my studio system. Some good melodies and orchestration. My main suggestion would be to work upon the dynamics of the solo instruments. I love the fact that you are finding ways to continue to express yourself. In fact, I think that the path you are taking is a difficult one and learning how to inject spontaneity into programmed music is quite a challenge. I would certainly struggle with that. Keep on doing what you are doing. I applaud your determination. Where was the photo taken? I am guessing one of the Friesian Islands. I have left a comment on this you tube track. Your description says you were a concert guitarist? This must have been a devastating loss. My wifeās German is not great and we could not understand all of your biographical details.
