Love your attitude! I got focal dystonia in my right hand which destroyed my classical career. As a result I got into flatpicking and now play in bluegrass bands and am having the time of my life. Now that I'm fully comfortable with flatpicking I am seeing HUGE improvements in my dystonia.
Thank you for making this. I have FD in both hands. I am also a full-time, professional guitar player. After over 6 years of retraining, I rehabilitated my fretting hand, but the picking hand remains a challenge. It's very hard for me to hold a flat pick. I have to use different pick grips based on whether I am strumming chords or alternate picking. I've managed to keep on playing, albeit with a very clumsy and inconsistent alternate picking technique. I'm lucky that others still like my playing even though it's a daily frustration for me. I hope one day to find a way to pick without it feeling like I'm holding a salmon in my hand.
One of the best guitarists in Austin, or anywhere - in a baffling range of styles, from Bakersfield country to Django swing to Barney Kessel jazz, exotica, lap steel, bass, and much more. It's great to see Dave tackling this syndrome and playing in top form!
Hi Mr Dave Biller, I noticed that your right hand middle finger, ring finger, and especially pinky, will become straight and stiff while playing, is it because of the focal dystonia? I think I have similar condition, can I message you privately?
That is exactly correct, Dennis. At the time of this video I was still having great difficulties. The good news is that in the past 3 years I have completely mitigated the problem. Although I still use a thumb pick, having just gotten used to it, my right hand appears pretty much normal and relaxed with no tension or spasms. I can play with a flatpick if I choose. It's hard to explain how I achieved this. It was mostly a matter of perseverance and careful research and study. It took many years to figure out what works and what doesn't.
Thanks for this. I’m a lifelong guitarist, 66, and am having hand pain. Mostly my picking hand and wrist. I was scheduled for a partial denervation but I cancelled it wanting a second opinion. Who’s your Dr.? I’m in New Braunfels but would be happy to drive to Austin for good help. Thanks again!!!
Thank you for commenting, Robert. Several doctors were recommended to me but I never went. Their only solution was either botox injection or some kind of standard physical therapy, neither of which work at all and could actually make the condition worse. Your case, involving pain, is much different than mine, which is purely neurological. I have no pain or physical issue with my hand but rather a movement disorder oriented in the brain. I'm guessing you may be suffering from some kind of nerve impingement or joint issue. I hope you've been able to recover without surgery, always a last resort. Best of luck.
