Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 01:23 PM CDT

I want to add that while I have only been here a couple of years, I have noticed, along with a few others, that there are very few new members coming onboard...There are other other music community sites that are really modding their interfaces and moving forward. Kompoz.com is one that comes to mind...a different approach but a much more "current" site....Once that pipeline of new members slows down to a trickle this site becomes stagnant, and more people begin to look for new options. Some people are really busy this summer...but others have headed to other sites...unfortunately some of these were our most talented.

Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 02:01 PM CDT

Quote by: DWL I started to lose touch with MJ during prepartions for my step-daughter's wedding in May. A couple of weeks away without internet access further compounded the lack of contact. Then a trapped nerve in the neck (which is still giving me grief) meant I couldn't play guitar and I lost interest in making music. Although I've had a brief contribution to a collab which initially gave me a real boost I haven't done much else musically. I've had a listen to some of the new songs but not commented I'm afraid. So apologies for that and I'll get back on-board eventually Cheers Dick

Dick,
Congrats on the wedding of your step-daughter and sorry about your pinched nerve. Both good reasons for not being around this funhouse. We know you can't stay away from this place for too long.

I too, have not been able to participate as much these days, because I've been busy musically and I'm also waiting for more freetime and a new Imac to comeout. Hope to transition to Logic on the new computer.

I've actually started to use the new bongos I bought in rehearsal this past Sunday night, for the orchestra is doing a Latin segment this month. I was asked to play them instead of my sax. So, I'm keeping a beat, but not stretching out yet. Gaining some confidence in bongo-playing for sure.

I'll be back when time and a new computer allow.

Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 02:46 PM CDT

I've been very absent this year - my main excuse is that I've just run out of songs, and am currently having a break from music for a few months while I do other stuff. I'm hoping to do some writing over the coming couple of months, but who knows?

I'd love to think that everyone who has been "away" lately might come back soon, but I'm guessing that's not likely to happen. I noticed the other week that there were songs in the "New Song Picks" section with only 5 or 6 favs - I don't remember that happening before. That seems a little sad.

This isn't the first time that people have drifted away of course, it just seems to be more dramatic at the moment.

I hope I'll be back soon.

Cheers from ?,
Neil

Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 04:11 PM CDT

Quote by: DWL ... Then a trapped nerve in the neck (which is still giving me grief) meant I couldn't play guitar and I lost interest in making music. Although I've had a brief contribution to a collab which initially gave me a real boost I haven't done much else musically. ... Cheers Dick

Sorry to hear this, Dick. I can feel your pain — literally.

During the past six years I've had a couple of bouts with a pinched nerve from a couple of collapsed discs in my neck (trapped nerve is probably what you call it on your side of the pond). I had horrible pain in my back, which eventually spread down to my left arm, hand and fingers — my chording hand.

An outpatient injection of antibiotics in my neck took away the pain for nearly five years, but I was left with diminished strength, speed and agility in my fingers. I also suffered some minor permanent nerve damage in my pinkie, so intricate jazz chords and R&R full barre chord hammers have become impossible for me. But in my case it took several months (and a barrage of MRIs, X-Rays and scans) for the doctors to figure out the source of my problem.

About a year ago, the pain started returning to my back. A five-day reverse regimen (five doses the first day, four the second, etc.) of Prednisone, as well as a 30-day dosage of Mobic removed the pain quickly. I've been good ever since.

The good news is that when the hospital offered physical therapy to rehab my hand and fingers, I told the doctor I was a musician and asked if playing the guitar might be a more focused therapy. He agreed and so I decided to work solely on acoustic guitar, since it's more difficult to play than electric guitar.

I'm happy to report that exercise has worked out well for me and that I have recovered to about 90% of my previous level before the pinched nerve erupted. Even the pinkie is a little better. At this point I'm just pleased I can play at all. It's a source of relief — and joy.

Best of luck with your challenge, Dick. I hope they find a treatment that works for you and that returns you to your guitar.

Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 05:16 PM CDT

Quote by: J.A.Stewart Quote by: DWL ... Then a trapped nerve in the neck (which is still giving me grief) meant I couldn't play guitar and I lost interest in making music. Although I've had a brief contribution to a collab which initially gave me a real boost I haven't done much else musically. ... Cheers Dick Sorry to hear this, Dick. I can feel your pain — literally. During the past six years I've had a couple of bouts with a pinched nerve from a couple of collapsed discs in my neck (trapped nerve is probably what you call it on your side of the pond). I had horrible pain in my back, which eventually spread down to my left arm, hand and fingers — my chording hand. An outpatient injection of antibiotics in my neck took away the pain for nearly five years, but I was left with diminished strength, speed and agility in my fingers. I also suffered some minor permanent nerve damage in my pinkie, so intricate jazz chords and R&R full barre chord hammers have become impossible for me. But in my case it took several months (and a barrage of MRIs, X-Rays and scans) for the doctors to figure out the source of my problem. About a year ago, the pain started returning to my back. A five-day reverse regimen (five doses the first day, four the second, etc.) of Prednisone, as well as a 30-day dosage of Mobic removed the pain quickly. I've been good ever since. The good news is that when the hospital offered physical therapy to rehab my hand and fingers, I told the doctor I was a musician and asked if playing the guitar might be a more focused therapy. He agreed and so I decided to work solely on acoustic guitar, since it's more difficult to play than electric guitar. I'm happy to report that exercise has worked out well for me and that I have recovered to about 90% of my previous level before the pinched nerve erupted. Even the pinkie is a little better. At this point I'm just pleased I can play at all. It's a source of relief — and joy. Best of luck with your challenge, Dick. I hope they find a treatment that works for you and that returns you to your guitar.

Thanks matey

Although I hate to think of anyone having the same issue it's good to hear there may be light at the end of the tunnel (as long as it's not a carpal tunnel )

Mine doesn't sound nearly as bad as yours (and your pain sounds a lot worse). I can at least play a little before it becomes uncomfortable and as yet the docs aren't prescribing anything more than ibuprofen.

I hope your problems continue to abate and you are restored to your former glory.

On a more global point, thanks to all for your best wishes. If I've learnt anything in in my 5 years here it's that this is the the most forgiving and supportive forum I've ever had the pleasure to belong to

Things always slow down in the summer so I wouldn't be too concerned about the number of new song posts. I'm on another forum which is very similar. Summer brings its own demands and family tends to take over.

Once again, thanks for the support and I'll be back in the fold imposing my old rubbish on you at some point

Cheers

Dick

Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 06:37 PM CDT

Quote by: DWL I started to lose touch with MJ during prepartions for my step-daughter's wedding in May. A couple of weeks away without internet access further compounded the lack of contact. Then a trapped nerve in the neck (which is still giving me grief) meant I couldn't play guitar and I lost interest in making music. Although I've had a brief contribution to a collab which initially gave me a real boost I haven't done much else musically. I've had a listen to some of the new songs but not commented I'm afraid. So apologies for that and I'll get back on-board eventually Cheers Dick

Dick, thanks for checking in despite how crummy you must be feeling--hope you and that neck are doing well soon (by the way, hope the wedding was a great success--congratulations!) Michael

Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 08:20 PM CDT

Just a place to say Hi ...

Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 08:34 PM CDT

The first thing I thought when I saw the graph is that participation peaked about the same time the global economy crashed. However, it's also true there has been little innovation here as far as site design, and perhaps that stasis accounts for the lack of attraction.

Re:It's easy to get out of the habit
Tuesday, July 03 2012 @ 10:02 PM CDT

not enough nude mixers and loose talk...even pasties and codpieces get old if you don't change 'em up

I love this site but it could use a UI refresh and a tweak more joy. Maybe it's me but I recall much more robust chat sessions.