Four years ago, my left arm was cut during a robbery, leaving me with nerve damage and considerable pain.

Then, after I worked to live with that, I developed pretty severe arthritis in several fingers on my left hand...fingers required by guitar players and keyboard players using a lot of left-hand walking bass.

It took about 6 months to sort of learn to live with that.

A week ago Saturday, I noticed some tightness in my left elbow.

When I looked at it, I thought I was looking at Popeye the sailor-man. The elbow was swollen to twice it's normal size.

The diagnosis is bursitis, with the over-all diagnosis that I have just worn my left arm out.

It's been drained and has come back. While not extremely painful, it will probably always be an issue..something I will have to work around.

I'm worried about running out of options. I thought that if all else failed for the nerve damage and arthritis, I could still hold block chords with my injured left hand and make up the difference with my right hand, which is still in good shape. I'm prepared to get out of playing guitar soon.

DAMN!

There is a possibility that I just injured it, and the problem will go away or be something easily tolerated.

We'll have to see...


Russ

Russ ... we will be praying for your full an rapid recovery ... the music world should not lose your talent ...

Arranger keyboards put all the hard work into the right hand and away from the left...dependant on how you set up your keyboard.

Russ, always remember ice is your best friend, to keep that inflammation/ swelling down. Get into a habit of regularly doing that, maybe buy one of those packs specifically designed for the elbow!

Russ get well soon......

No shame in using whatever gets the job done... IF the LH goes away, but the right is serviceable, use SMF's or MP3 backings (that you prepare yourself). There are creative ways with either of these that you can restructure a piece on the fly, so you aren't locked into a mode of eternal repetition.

The BK-9 can also save its Chord Sequence, so you can prepare this in advance (slowly, carefully) then load it on the gig, and still have full control of Variations and fills, etc..

Don't worry, Russ. If the music is in you and wants to get out, you will find a way, no matter what!

Best wishes.

Hang in there, Russ. Where there's a will and all that. You've certainly shown willpower in the past, time to call on it again. Get well again soon.

I wish you well Russ. With your talent, knowledge and love of music, I'm sure you will find a way to stay musical.

Sorry to hear about your woes Russ.

Bursitis needs ice, as mentioned by PTL. I have it bad in my left hip and I sleep with ice and Lidocaine patches (expensive). Best wishes and hang in there.

Thanks, folks. It's kind of funny! I always put arrangers down, and, now, they may be my salvation, if I want to keep working!

Is THAT poetic justice, or what? (LOL)!


Russ