KVR Audio

Googly Smythe · Post by **Googly Smythe** » Thu May 18, 2017 2:01 am

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUNz35zjsyY/

Bombadil · Post by **Bombadil** » Thu May 18, 2017 11:43 am

It's inspiring to see someone overcome serious adversity to attain their goals. However, he needs to actually learn how to play music. So, my take is A+ for effort, F for taste.

funky lime · Post by **funky lime** » Sun May 21, 2017 4:41 am

Bombadil wrote:However, he needs to actually learn how to play music. So, my take is A+ for effort, F for taste.

That's a pretty condescending attitude. You're essentially saying "I don't like the stuff he likes, therefore he isn't a real musician," all based on a few seconds with almost no context whatsoever. Your personal taste does not alter the definition of music.

It's like me quoting a single line of text from you and thinking, "i appreciate the effort of you typing something, but you're a failure as an author because i disagree with the point you made"

ghettosynth · Post by **ghettosynth** » Sun May 21, 2017 4:53 am

It's not really that inspiring TBH. Cool for him that he hasn't let the loss of fingers on his right hand stop him, but, he could still play interestingly with just his left hand, many guitarists do.

Also, Django Reinhardt only had two good fingers on his left hand.

morelia · Post by **morelia** » Sun May 21, 2017 5:33 am

Pretty cool. I've always said there is only one finger I could lose and not give in to despair. But this guy has lost a hand FFS and still stays motivated. Respect. Also wondered if this video showed him at his best. Looked like a band aid on the fretting ring finger so maybe a short term injury there. It only sprung to mind because after moving recently I had a number of cuts and so on that prevented me playing well so I hardly did until they healed. This man just keeps on going.

incubus · Post by **incubus** » Sun May 21, 2017 9:43 pm

People on the net are brutal.

"Well, it's great that he can do that considering his handicap, but I've got a buttload of criticism, and a video showing you the proper way to do it from a real musician"

Oh well, nobody ever said people on forums were nice

ghettosynth · Post by **ghettosynth** » Sun May 21, 2017 9:55 pm

OP asked, specifically, what our judgement was. I assume that the question is meta. In general I don't find these sorts of things uplifting or inspiring. That's just how I respond emotionally to a particular social motif. I find other kinds of things uplifting and/or humbling.

Also, I'm not "amazed" because someone accomplishes something with a limitation. Awesome, but I'm amazed by things that are amazing. Are we supposed to be amazed every time a bunch of middle aged men play a pickup game at the local park? Oh look, those guys are old and fat but they're still being athletic. I really have a bit of a problem with the expectation that people doing what people do, with or without limitations, is somehow worthy of widespread praise.

It's like the obsession with children on talent shows. No, I'm not really amazed, generally, I might be more amazed when you're thirty, have some life experience, and are singing from the heart/soul. On the other hand, when I see kids who aren't coached who ARE expressing themselves in a pure manner, no matter how good or bad, I find that uplifting.

In other words, if you don't want to know the answer, don't ask the question.

herodotus · Post by **herodotus** » Sun May 21, 2017 10:22 pm

ghettosynth wrote:OP asked, specifically, what our judgement was....

In other words, if you don't want to know the answer, don't ask the question.

Well, sure.

But of course, part of expressing yourself online is being judged for how you express yourself.

In other words, if you don't want people to judge how you express yourself on the web, don't express yourself on the web.

ghettosynth · Post by **ghettosynth** » Sun May 21, 2017 10:44 pm

herodotus wrote:
ghettosynth wrote:OP asked, specifically, what our judgement was....

In other words, if you don't want to know the answer, don't ask the question.
Well, sure.

But of course, part of expressing yourself online is being judged for how you express yourself.

In other words, if you don't want people to judge how you express yourself on the web, don't express yourself on the web.

Judge to your heart's content, I don't care. I just think that the response missed the point of the thread in the first place.

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Sun May 21, 2017 11:04 pm

He gets around on the instrument quite well. He has a good left hand, so...

Django Reinhardt had the use of only two fingers on his left hand. I cut the tip off my middle finger on my left hand, took three weeks before I could do anything.

The tone made me bail on the video.

Googly Smythe · Post by **Googly Smythe** » Sun May 21, 2017 11:11 pm

I was curious as to how others would view this kind of thing.
Most of the comments on that link are of the "wow amazing" sort. Personally, what he was playing, except for the final chord, can be played with one hand. I think we've all seen metal guitarists playing one handed - I remember one guitarist playing with his teeth. (You know who!)

I like to think that if something (God forbid) should cause me to end up with half a hand, or no hand at all, that I would not let it stop me from doing what I like the most, ie making music. Like the guy in video.

Keith Emerson killed himself because he was losing the use of his hands, and was worried about his ability to continue playing. I'd hate to get in that state.
So, just wondering.

ghettosynth · Post by **ghettosynth** » Sun May 21, 2017 11:17 pm

We all age, we will all lose some use of some things at some point. If one is going to let that take them to the point of suicide then it might be healthy to think about how to age with one's talents more gracefully.

Googly Smythe · Post by **Googly Smythe** » Mon May 22, 2017 1:40 am

ghettosynth wrote:We all age, we will all lose some use of some things at some point. If one is going to let that take them to the point of suicide then it might be healthy to think about how to age with one's talents more gracefully.

Very true.

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon May 22, 2017 2:03 am

Jason Becker Inspiration

When doctors diagnosed 19-year-old rock star Jason Becker with Lou Gehrig's Disease, they said he would never make music again and that he wouldn't live to see his 25th birthday. 22 years later, without the ability to move or to speak, Jason is alive and making music with his eyes.

Googly Smythe · Post by **Googly Smythe** » Mon May 22, 2017 10:08 am

And let's not forget the drummer from Def Leppard who lost an arm but still managed to find a way to carry on drumming...
When you think about it, there are many people who have overcome physical disabilities to carry on "doing their thang".
Another one...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Glennie

This guitarist - Humbling? Amazing? Meh?