Putting the "Bass" Back into "GraphicBass"

[GraphicBass]

Many of you know I started dialysis last October. In April last year, I had to quit playing bass in my beloved swing band due to the increasing ill effects of impending kidney failure. After three botched gigs where I had music out of order, delaying the gig, and several times, literally forgetting how to read the music, it was time to hang up the bass. It was a bad time from then on to the end of the year.

But I've been on dialysis for six months and am doing excellently. I lost 45 pounds of fluid, my blood work has been normal from the beginning of the year, and my energy levels are back to what they once were. I even drove a 12-hour trip from Atlanta to Northern Virginia and back this past weekend and still have energy to be posting.

Life is good again, with the only downside being the 18 hours a week I spend involved with dialysis. Well worth it, in my opinion, for what I receive in return (and I even get work done on my laptop during that time).

So on the way back from Virginia today, we drove past a large music store off I-85 in South Carolina, and this time we stopped for a visit.

While browsing the bass guitar section, I noticed a nice little practice bass amp (I sold my amps last year when it appeared I wouldn't be playing any more). My wife, bless her soul, commented, "Don't you think you should start practicing again, for when you want to find a new band?"

She knows me well, and knows I've missed playing (37 years, not counting last year). So we bought that little amp and I now have a shiny new piece of electronics in the living room. Did one practice session for about 15 minutes before both hands gave out, but I'll get my "chops" back soon enough.

So if you hear a low rumbling notice anywhere in the world, that just me, GraphicBass, and I'm back making grooves!

Just wanted to share....

gary

[jbeany]

 

[YLGuy]

    

[WishIKnew]

Love it!  Good for you!!!!  Play on dear friend, play on!

[okarol]

  That's great, I am glad you're feeling better - hope to hear you play someday! 

[kristina]

Hello GraphicBass,

what a great idea to put the “bass” back into the “GraphicBass” !
At first, of course, it is just 15 minutes,
but I am sure your practicing time increases as time goes by.

I have read that – after one has started “D” - one should just take one day at a time
and increase the practising time only very, very slowly.

Hope to hear you one day !

I send you my best wishes, very good luck and well done !

From Kristina.

[Sax-O-Trix]

Good for you - music is food for the soul

[Poppylicious]

Brilliant!

 

[carol1987]

  NICE!!!!!

[BillSharp]

As a blues and rock 'n roll bass player myself, I know what you're going through. Dialysis didn't bother my electric bass playing (I don't gig in front of an audience), but I got the notion I wanted to go back to playing bluegrass with the upright and so bought one. Man, I forgot how physically demanding playing the upright is. I tried for about 3 months, then gave up and sold the thing.

Good luck. Keep plugging away.

[willowtreewren]

 

AWESOME!!!!

 

Aleta

[monrein]

Fantastic!   

[tyefly]

I love it....  so many of us seem to think that we cant do things like we use to....  esp now with Dialysis.... I was thinking that too..... Now that I feel better  I am doing more of the old stuff too....

    we want to hear some Utube stuff.......    keep playing..... Never stop.....  do what make you happy....

                   LIVE LIFE>....

[boswife]

this was just the greatest news    It really hit the happy spot in me    

[rsudock]

I love the heading of this post!! So glad you have turned the proverbial dialysis corner and are feeling better!!! ROCK ON friend!!!

xo,
R

[GraphicBass]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Its's been more than two weeks, and I'm doing well, except that anemia thing kicked in last week. A call to the doc, a jab in the arm of Procrit, and I'm feeling better. My weight is fairly stable, cycling between 125 and 132 pounds every fours days . We remain cautiously optimistic.

Doctor's appt. in two weeks, then it will be one month off, and I'll  see  how I'm doing.

BillSharp, I'm entertaining thought of starting a new band, rock band, no swing, and calling it "The Bloodline Band!" Catchy, eh?

g

[Jeaukool]

Just bought my first bass guitar and I am hoping to be in a band by the end of next year. I have been on dialysis since May 2015 and waiting for a kidney transplant but I am going to make my life as normal as I can, as long as I can. 54 years old and wanting to be in a rock band....groovy!!!

[Charlie B53]

Play that Funky Music White Boy!


Seriously, glad to hear (no pun intended) that you are feeling it again.

Music does add meaning to life.

[talker]

Many of you know I started dialysis last October. In April last year, I had to quit playing bass in my beloved swing band due to the increasing ill effects of impending kidney failure. After three botched gigs where I had music out of order, delaying the gig, and several times, literally forgetting how to read the music, it was time to hang up the bass. It was a bad time from then on to the end of the year.

But I've been on dialysis for six months and am doing excellently. I lost 45 pounds of fluid, my blood work has been normal from the beginning of the year, and my energy levels are back to what they once were. I even drove a 12-hour trip from Atlanta to Northern Virginia and back this past weekend and still have energy to be posting.

Life is good again, with the only downside being the 18 hours a week I spend involved with dialysis. Well worth it, in my opinion, for what I receive in return (and I even get work done on my laptop during that time).

So on the way back from Virginia today, we drove past a large music store off I-85 in South Carolina, and this time we stopped for a visit.

While browsing the bass guitar section, I noticed a nice little practice bass amp (I sold my amps last year when it appeared I wouldn't be playing any more). My wife, bless her soul, commented, "Don't you think you should start practicing again, for when you want to find a new band?"

She knows me well, and knows I've missed playing (37 years, not counting last year). So we bought that little amp and I now have a shiny new piece of electronics in the living room. Did one practice session for about 15 minutes before both hands gave out, but I'll get my "chops" back soon enough.

So if you hear a low rumbling notice anywhere in the world, that just me, GraphicBass, and I'm back making grooves!

Just wanted to share....

gary

Just bought my first bass guitar and I am hoping to be in a band by the end of next year. I have been on dialysis since May 2015 and waiting for a kidney transplant but I am going to make my life as normal as I can, as long as I can. 54 years old and wanting to be in a rock band....groovy!!!

Hi Jeaukool and GraphicBass
Welcome and may the expectations of the best quality show up.
While I did plinged and twanged away, never got the urge to go further.
So now, you put a few cords to my poem, and lets hear what you got..............
Now when you get famous and rich for the song and music, just remember where you got it from.

Lets not push, lets not pull,
Astral plane, or physical earth
Lets just share our love.
I'm not tall, I'm not short,
Not even good on sports.
Who cares, You know why,
I don't cry, I don't sigh,
Here baby is the reason why,
I got it all.
No rhyme or reason, just the season,
To be the whooo, that I am, thaaat's the reason,
not the season, OOh myyyyy,
I got it all.
I'm here for a reason, is it the season,
I don't know, really don't care,
eyes that sparkle, lips that smile,
beats the grinch, by an inch,
so I smile,
feet that dance, body thats rhythm,
rife with joy, you know why,
No rhyme or reason, just the season,
To be the whooo, that I ammmmm, thaaat's the reason,
not the season, OOh myyyyy,
I got it all.
Well Universe,
I got it all.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=30963.msg480413#msg480413