I recently had surgery, and was thrilled to be able finally to get out and attend a grand session last night. As I was listening to some brilliant playing, fiddle in lap, the friend next to me nudges and asks why I am not paying along. I said I didn't have that one, she said she has played it with me many times. I then paid closer attention to the familiar but can't quite join in tunes, and discovered I have 'lost' a number of them. Has anyone else experienced this? Please tell me it's temporary. At just 40, I am not ready for senility and would be sad to have to relearn half of my repertoire.
In answer to the OP. I got one of those powerball thingies for Christmas - to help with a touch of RSI. If you keep it spinning, it's easy to keep it spinning. Let it slow below a certain speed and, no matter what you do, it will stop. Get along to more sessions, and you *will* get back in the groove.
tracywag, how long ago was the surgery? they use some powerful drugs for surgery, and those don't all leave your nervous system at the same time. i'd give it a while, and keep playing. after recent surgery, i was still getting better after weeks and even months, feeling more myself. best wishes,
I had surgery back in March and only in the last month or so did my memory (specifically tune recall) seem to nudge back to normal. Memory problems are a common--usually temporary--side effect of the drugs they knock you out with.
I have had the same experience as the original poster, thinking 'oh that is a nice tune,' but not remembering that I played it. Sometimes I pick up the instrument, and when I go to play along, my fingers remember what my brain does not, and I find, yes, I do know the tune. Usually a tune I haven't played recently, or played frequently.
But I have gone through my whole life absentminded. My college nickname was 'Void,' I guess because my mind was often wandering off into outer space.
Thanks all. The surgery was three weeks ago, two hours under general anesthesia. I've been under before, but didn't experience memory problems. I'm going to play more often and try to have confidence that this is just a temporary setback. I need to hold onto tunes and polish them, not lose them after a few months.
I have two more weeks off of work, and forget painting the kitchen, I need to do music therapy. This is disconcerting.
It's not uncommon to have a tune go wandering away. Most embarrassing when you're in the middle of playing it - especially when it was you that started the set!
But I am told that the best way to keep brain functions strong is to exercise them. Learning tunes certainly can't hurt. And if you're really looking to get out of painting duty, bear in mind the harmful effects of inhaling paint fumes. No good at all.
Hi tracy, maybe the person next to you mistook you for someone else
Sorry, I joke about it because I've been there. I had a stroke that completely wiped out my left hand/arm and the resulting surgery on my carotid artery has left me permanently cloudy(er) in the brain. Iost a lot but didn't give up. Be persistant and it will come back one way or another! The brain is pretty amazing. Don't give up and best of luck to you!
I've heard that Ginko Biloba tablets help with mental focus, and help prevent memory loss....... Maybe you should write this down before you go to the pharmacy........
I have a friend who suffered a cardiac arrest but was revived. He has some memory loss. However, he has made almost a full recovery. What he told me is that he may not be able to remember something immediately, but with time and cues it does come back to him. Sort of get the process started and the rest comes back. He's a computer programmer. (No he did not see the light.)
Tunes get crowded out by all the rest of the data you absord daily. They'll come back... often with the second part from some other tune. 40? I've been forgetting tunes since I was in my 20's.
Happy New Year!
Hope all goes well for you and your family.
Some lovely postings which are very interesting. Be assured that your tunes are safe; all you have to do is open other pathways to your memory banks.
If you lose one of the regular routes, your brain through its magnitude of connections can redirect to to correct pigeon hole, so to speak, and the more you try the better the result!
Tracy, if you have not already, it would be worth it to discuss your symptoms with the surgeon. If you are receiving any physical therapy they, as well, should be well equipped to advice you. The person who should know best what to expect is the anesthesiologist. We all wish you success in your playing & regaining the memory. Keep playing in any case. It is always good therapy!
I tease my box teacher about 'brain farts' when I get to the turn and can't seem to remember where to go...or worse, announce a tune, look at the keyboard, and damned if I can remember where I am going.
Embarrassing. But at 58 I am told it comes with the territory. On the flip side though, my tune memory has improved overall. (I started learning by the 'by ear' method three years ago) Increasingly, in my church music gig, I am much less reliant on the 'spots' for the regularly used tripe.
Anesthetic can be ugly stuff. Some years back my wife had surgery in April and the following July she could not remember how to get from her brother's home to her parents home even though both families had lived in the same place for years.
As to aging: I must admit that at 70 tunes don't seem to go in as quickly or stick as easily as they used to, and from time to time I actually need to look at the scores of concert band works I've conducted many times. Still aside from a bit of slowing down of the fingers I can't really complain. I think making music helps keep one mentally healthy. Errr....what were we talking about ??
Anesthetic is ugly stuff. Some years ago my wife had surgery in April and the following July she couldn't remember how to get from her brother's house to her parent's house...even though both families had been in the same residences for years. Patience will solve that one though I think.
As to aging: I must admit that at 70 tunes don't go in as easily nor stay stuck quite as well. And, from time to time I actually need to look at the scores for band pieces I've conducted in the past. Still, aside from a bit of slowing of the fingers I can't really complain. Errr....what were we talking about
Memory loss?
Memory loss?
I recently had surgery, and was thrilled to be able finally to get out and attend a grand session last night. As I was listening to some brilliant playing, fiddle in lap, the friend next to me nudges and asks why I am not paying along. I said I didn't have that one, she said she has played it with me many times. I then paid closer attention to the familiar but can't quite join in tunes, and discovered I have 'lost' a number of them. Has anyone else experienced this? Please tell me it's temporary. At just 40, I am not ready for senility and would be sad to have to relearn half of my repertoire.
# Posted on December 30th 2009 by tracywag
Re: Memory loss?
It happens to me a lot. If I don't keep playing them, I lose them. Just part of being an aging human, I suppose.
# Posted on December 30th 2009 by DaveL35
Re: Memory loss?
Possibly due to anaesthesia?
# Posted on December 30th 2009 by Henk Bos
Re: Memory loss?
I deliberately forget tunes, the crap ones I shouldn't have learned in the first place
# Posted on December 30th 2009 by ...
Re: Memory loss?
@llig: If only one could.
In answer to the OP. I got one of those powerball thingies for Christmas - to help with a touch of RSI. If you keep it spinning, it's easy to keep it spinning. Let it slow below a certain speed and, no matter what you do, it will stop. Get along to more sessions, and you *will* get back in the groove.
# Posted on December 30th 2009 by ethical blend
Re: Memory loss?
tracywag, how long ago was the surgery? they use some powerful drugs for surgery, and those don't all leave your nervous system at the same time. i'd give it a while, and keep playing. after recent surgery, i was still getting better after weeks and even months, feeling more myself. best wishes,
kj
# Posted on December 30th 2009 by full measure
Re: Memory loss?
I had surgery back in March and only in the last month or so did my memory (specifically tune recall) seem to nudge back to normal. Memory problems are a common--usually temporary--side effect of the drugs they knock you out with.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: Memory loss?
I have had the same experience as the original poster, thinking 'oh that is a nice tune,' but not remembering that I played it. Sometimes I pick up the instrument, and when I go to play along, my fingers remember what my brain does not, and I find, yes, I do know the tune. Usually a tune I haven't played recently, or played frequently.
But I have gone through my whole life absentminded. My college nickname was 'Void,' I guess because my mind was often wandering off into outer space.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Memory loss?
Thanks all. The surgery was three weeks ago, two hours under general anesthesia. I've been under before, but didn't experience memory problems. I'm going to play more often and try to have confidence that this is just a temporary setback. I need to hold onto tunes and polish them, not lose them after a few months.
I have two more weeks off of work, and forget painting the kitchen, I need to do music therapy. This is disconcerting.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by tracywag
Re: Memory loss?
Hi Tracy, hope you're feeling better. Maybe listening to tunes also will help you 'bring them back'. Best of luck!
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Fiddlephilia
Re: Memory loss?
It's not uncommon to have a tune go wandering away. Most embarrassing when you're in the middle of playing it - especially when it was you that started the set!
But I am told that the best way to keep brain functions strong is to exercise them. Learning tunes certainly can't hurt. And if you're really looking to get out of painting duty, bear in mind the harmful effects of inhaling paint fumes. No good at all.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Memory loss?
Hi tracy, maybe the person next to you mistook you for someone else
Sorry, I joke about it because I've been there. I had a stroke that completely wiped out my left hand/arm and the resulting surgery on my carotid artery has left me permanently cloudy(er) in the brain. Iost a lot but didn't give up. Be persistant and it will come back one way or another! The brain is pretty amazing. Don't give up and best of luck to you!
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by shanty
Re: Memory loss?
I've heard that Ginko Biloba tablets help with mental focus, and help prevent memory loss....... Maybe you should write this down before you go to the pharmacy........
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by anvilcoyote
Re: Memory loss?
I thought this was pretty helpful. You get a free 14 day trial too:
http://www.navon.com.au/Homepage.aspx
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Memory loss?
Tracy hope you are well,
My doc told me the effects of anesthesia can last up to a year.
Best of luck and Happy New Year
Mary
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by Antikhntr
Re: Memory loss?
I have a friend who suffered a cardiac arrest but was revived. He has some memory loss. However, he has made almost a full recovery. What he told me is that he may not be able to remember something immediately, but with time and cues it does come back to him. Sort of get the process started and the rest comes back. He's a computer programmer. (No he did not see the light.)
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by grumblingoldwoman
Re: Memory loss?
Tunes get crowded out by all the rest of the data you absord daily. They'll come back... often with the second part from some other tune. 40? I've been forgetting tunes since I was in my 20's.
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by drone
Re: Memory loss?
Hey Tracy!
Happy New Year!
Hope all goes well for you and your family.
Some lovely postings which are very interesting. Be assured that your tunes are safe; all you have to do is open other pathways to your memory banks.
If you lose one of the regular routes, your brain through its magnitude of connections can redirect to to correct pigeon hole, so to speak, and the more you try the better the result!
Hope all goes well for you and yours
Brian x
# Posted on January 1st 2010 by briantheflute
Re: Memory loss?
Tracy, if you have not already, it would be worth it to discuss your symptoms with the surgeon. If you are receiving any physical therapy they, as well, should be well equipped to advice you. The person who should know best what to expect is the anesthesiologist. We all wish you success in your playing & regaining the memory. Keep playing in any case. It is always good therapy!
# Posted on January 1st 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: Memory loss?
I tease my box teacher about 'brain farts' when I get to the turn and can't seem to remember where to go...or worse, announce a tune, look at the keyboard, and damned if I can remember where I am going.
Embarrassing. But at 58 I am told it comes with the territory. On the flip side though, my tune memory has improved overall. (I started learning by the 'by ear' method three years ago) Increasingly, in my church music gig, I am much less reliant on the 'spots' for the regularly used tripe.
The brain is an amazing instrument.
# Posted on January 4th 2010 by zippydw
Re: Memory loss?
Anesthetic can be ugly stuff. Some years back my wife had surgery in April and the following July she could not remember how to get from her brother's home to her parents home even though both families had lived in the same place for years.
As to aging: I must admit that at 70 tunes don't seem to go in as quickly or stick as easily as they used to, and from time to time I actually need to look at the scores of concert band works I've conducted many times. Still aside from a bit of slowing down of the fingers I can't really complain. I think making music helps keep one mentally healthy. Errr....what were we talking about ??
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by cboody
Re: Memory loss?
Anesthetic is ugly stuff. Some years ago my wife had surgery in April and the following July she couldn't remember how to get from her brother's house to her parent's house...even though both families had been in the same residences for years. Patience will solve that one though I think.
As to aging: I must admit that at 70 tunes don't go in as easily nor stay stuck quite as well. And, from time to time I actually need to look at the scores for band pieces I've conducted in the past. Still, aside from a bit of slowing of the fingers I can't really complain. Errr....what were we talking about
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by cboody
Re: Memory loss?
See...I can't even manage to avoid double posting....
# Posted on January 5th 2010 by cboody