Just a thought for those older codgers who might be blighted by the onset of arthritis ... and gloomily presume the end of their piano-playing days ... but THERE IS A CURE ... would you believe it ... munch on a bit of pineapple (nicely sliced) ... and you’re back on the keys in a trice.
The medication has enabled me to go full steam at my computer and also reawaken the marvels of a Chopin Nocturne at the piano. I’ve got newly sliced pineapple in my refrigerator whenever the fingers might tend to stiffen ... what a boon to be back in the game (and two-handed to boot).
Hoping the suggestion opens the doors to many enriching hours at the keyboard.
Just a thought for those older codgers who might be blighted by the onset of arthritis ... and gloomily presume the end of their piano-playing days ... but THERE IS A CURE ... would you believe it ... munch on a bit of pineapple (nicely sliced) ... and you’re back on the keys in a trice.
The medication has enabled me to go full steam at my computer and also reawaken the marvels of a Chopin Nocturne at the piano. I’ve got newly sliced pineapple in my refrigerator whenever the fingers might tend to stiffen ... what a boon to be back in the game (and two-handed to boot).
Hoping the suggestion opens the doors to many enriching hours at the keyboard.
Kind regards, btb
I will try this, at your suggestion, and, if it works for me, I shall be ever grateful.
I've heard stop eating potatoes, tomatoes and peppers.
Did that for several years, but alas, the garden tomatoes and peppers eventually won me over again!
The theory behind the potato/tomato/pepper thing has to do with the fact that they all belong in the same family as Deadly Nightshade - a poison. Whether the association is important, I don't know, but I continue to eat them all.
The Aspartame thing is all over the internet with some pretty scary stories including symptoms imitating Multiple Sclerosis. Years ago, my husband was involved in the original packaging of the diet powder drink "Crystal Light". The industry knew then that Aspartame was a carcinogen when it sat in a diet soda bottle for a while. I was consuming 4 diet drinks a day, including using Equal in my coffee. The joint pains really scared me because I was afraid it would get in the way of my playing. Once I stopped using it, I felt almost immediate improvement in my joints. I won't ever touch it again.
I am reading that the pineapple needs to be fresh, not canned. That could be problematic for some, but you can also just buy the bromelain itself and take that instead.
Just to let you chaps know ... that in spite of my wonky arthritic left hand ... the effect of the yesterday's pineapple feast ... I was this morning able to play and record my take (prima vista) of Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" ... in an earlier take, I mentioned that many moons ago, I was lucky enough to hear Hoagy himself playing at the London Paladium (since demolished) ... and have become a fan of his eversince ... his "In the Cool, cool, cool of the evening" won him an Academy award.
btb, I'd love to hear your recording of "Stardust."
I knew that Hoagy Carmichael was a songwriter. I didn't realize he was also a performer, so I looked it up, and he was also in some movies. His original recording of Stardust is on Youtube.
Hi Cathy, Thanks for the kind words ... imagine me, as an ignorant colonial sprog (26 years) being lucky enough to hear Hoagy Carmichael do his thing at the London Palladium ... paid my 2/6d and sat way up in the Gods ... the first half of the programme had some top artists ... but it was in the 2nd half, that a skinny guy (Hoagy) came casually to the front of the stage and suggested that the best was probably over ... but that if we wanted to stay on “him and the boys - double base and drums to accompany his honky- tonk piano ... were going to jam a bit ... AND OUT POURED
Riverboat Shuffle Stardust Rockin’ Chair Georgia on My Mind (Up a) Lazy River In the Still of the Night Lazybones Little Old Lady The Nearness of You Small Fry Two Sleepy People Skylark Old Music Master Ole Buttermilk Sky In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening My Resistance is Low
For what it’s worth, I was so taken with the thin Yankee Southerner that I learnt to play all of his songs ... the pineapple has given me a new lease of life at the piano ... and the famous “Stardust†was my first outing ... not quite up to the gravel-voiced Hoagy’s standard ... but quite recognizable nevertheless.
btb, Wow, that sounds like a night to remember! I don't recognize all those song names, but the ones I do recognize are wonderful. Stardust is one of my favorites. I'll have to check out the others.
Have fun revisiting all those songs! Best wishes! Kathy
Many thanks for that lilylady ... my version is far too straight up and down ... I had forgotten Hoagy's rubato jazz ... but what a knockout listening to Nat King Cole singing the lyric
Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael
Sometimes I wonder why I spend the lonely night dreaming of a song? The melody haunts my memory, and I am once again with you, When our love was new and each kiss an inspiration. But that was long ago: now my consolation is in the stardust of a song.
I just happened turn on a documentary about Byron Janis, who has suffered from severe arthritis much of his life. It is available through his website here.
16 October 2012 Does anybody else go soppy when hearing a nostalgic tune sung by a yesteryear goddess?
I heard Dinah Shore sing “Moonlight in Vermontâ€
Pennies in a stream, falling leaves, a sycamore. Moonlight in Vermont. Icy finger waves, ski traits on a mountainside. Snow-light in Vermont.
Telegraph cables, they sing down the highway and travel each bend in the road, People who meet in this romantic setting are so hypnotized by the lovely ev’ning summer breeze. Warbling of a meadow lark, Moonlight in Vermont.