Remember I wrote earlier about learning the guitar? I’ve had major progress in that arena.
I finally got my guitar properly strung at Marathon Music (they were awesome); they even tuned it for me for free. Once home I dug out my books from the packed boxes and have been teaching myself chords. We’ve been so slammed with projects that I haven’t taken time to play, but I got an amazing device called a Grip Master to keep my calluses going and to strengthen my fingers.
The Grip Master is a squeeze device that strengthens the forearm, the wrist, the fingers together, and each individual finger, depending on how you squeeze. I bought the “Ruff Caps” to add to the Grip Master. Ruff Caps have lines which replicate the idea of the guitar strings, keeping calluses callused when it isn’t possible to play your instrument.
It works amazingly well – it’s light and easy to carry around, so it’s convenient to use it watching movies, sitting and talking, in the car, and so on. I can already feel a big difference in my hand strength. I got one for Amanda too; she developed carpal tunnel syndrome from her job. The Grip Master has been used for anyone playing musical instruments; for recovering hand strength after strokes; for arthritis; for those who work extensively at computers; and for carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s a totally clever and useful little device. I love it.
I’ve realized meanwhile that I don’t want to teach myself – I want help. I’ve decided to go for the Emedia music guitar method. While in Seattle in late 2007 we met the founder of Emedia music at a local networking event emphasizing green (ecological) products; I was really impressed with his attitude.
The emedia music guitar method is extremely highly rated and it’s really reasonable in price. It’ll be a bit before I can get it, but by that time we won’t be so swamped. Meanwhile I’m utterly pleased that my dreams of playing guitar are well underway.