Breaking collarbone in first learning period

[lvrossem]

I have been slowly following along with the beginner's path on Scott's Bass Lessons (slowly bc of long working hours) and having a lot of fun with it, and some of the things I can play now actually sound like songs I know! However, I broke my collarbone last week, and I can't find a way to keep playing without a lot of pain. I'm scared that I will somehow "un-learn" all I've done during the coming period. I have no idea how fast this will heal and I haven't made it to a shoulder specialist yet due to busy hospitals. Anyone else had a similar occurence?

Edited Wednesday at 20:46 by lvrossem

[Homatron]

Sorry to hear of your injury and hope it isn't impacting daily life too much!

 

I've broken a few bones in my time on Earth (including my collarbone) and for me the key is to remember the physiology of healing, and not get frustrated and do stuff which would make recovery slower. It's normally 6-8 weeks for bones to knit back together, and perhaps a couple more months to get back to full strength*. 

 

There are lots of great bass skills to learn without picking up an instrument. Stuff like rhythm, ear training, active listening and various aspects of theory could keep you busy for a couple of months (or a lifetime!). It's likely there's materials on your learning platform for all of this.

 

Don't stress about forgetting what you've already learned. You may feel rusty after a few weeks away from the instrument, but it'll soon come back!

 

*I'm not a medical professional... seek a professional opinion.

[alyctes]

Things come back reasonably quickly, in my experience.  

 

But you need to talk to a doctor and a physio.

[itu]

If you are able to keep your instrument at your lap, use the healthier hand to exercise. It may open up new things from the fretboard, strings, or the instrument. Do also exercises in your mind. I know a musician who had to stay in hospital for two weeks. During that time she learned most of a big composition just by reading the music. She said later that the last 10 % came from the physical training with the violin. 

[neepheid]

Heal up first.  You'll remember more than you think when you return to the bass.  I didn't play bass for two years during lockdown, and nearly quit altogether but thankfully I got back on the horse and it all came flooding back.

 

Your bass playing will be fine and it can wait.  Don't compromise your recovery by trying to do physical things before you're ready.

 

I haven't ridden a bike for years, but I'm pretty sure I won't need my stabiliser wheels put back on...

Edited Thursday at 08:44 by neepheid

[lvrossem]

thanks everyone :)), I'm scheduled for surgery next week and my shoulder should be getting more mobile the week after (according to people with experience)

[PaulThePlug]

It's all about the Phisio... tin of beens at arms length, drawing small circles etc...

I got one of these (Gyro Power Ball) after a Scooter Crash and dislocated my shoulder (the wrong way) and breaking my wrist

https://ebay.us/m/LftLSw

 

... and no Sniggering at the back... 

 

Edited yesterday at 13:26 by PaulThePlug

[tauzero]

12 hours ago, lvrossem said:

thanks everyone :)), I'm scheduled for surgery next week and my shoulder should be getting more mobile the week after (according to people with experience)

 

As others have said, work on the other arm in the meantime. It's not going to be load bearing for a few weeks but if you can get yourself into a position which a) isn't painful and b) involves a bass being in a playable position, you can at least do something. If you can realistically only use one arm then it depends which arm - if it's your fretting arm then practice fretting (I've seen a bassist whose right arm was useless due to a stroke, but he played very well with just his left hand) and if it's your picking hand then practice all picking forms - two fingers, plectrum, three fingers, classical guitar style.

[Burns-bass]

Speak to the medical professionals. In my experience, doctors are usually pretty helpful if you ask them a direct question.

 

Never crowd source health advice on a forum and never take a chance with your long term mobility.

 

Good luck with the surgery.

[Mokl]

Good luck with the surgery. I broke my collarbone some years back after face-planting off my mountain bike! I am also the veteran of many broken bones. I was lucky that the collarbone displacement didn't require surgery, but if they pin yours, then theoretically you might be able to do some lighter activity a little sooner. The critical thing as, everyone else is saying, is speak to your consultant and follow their advice. Don't jeopardise your recovery by pushing it too soon. In the grand scheme of things the weeks you may be out of action are just the blink of an eye, and you'll return to the bass even more motivated to get playing!

[lvrossem]

7 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

Speak to the medical professionals. In my experience, doctors are usually pretty helpful if you ask them a direct question.

 

Never crowd source health advice on a forum and never take a chance with your long term mobility.

 

Good luck with the surgery.

Thanks, but I wasn't outspurcing medical advice :). Just sharing my concerns and wondering if anyone else had the same.

[Burns-bass]

30 minutes ago, lvrossem said:

Thanks, but I wasn't outspurcing medical advice :). Just sharing my concerns and wondering if anyone else had the same.

I bashed my thumb playing football (at 43, how stupid). A few weeks off won’t harm you. Just don’t rush back and if you feel any pain never play through it.