Playing guitar in this specialty

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33wins

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Any anesthesiologists here who have played guitar for several years? Is it a bad idea to get involved with this hobby being the risk of damage to finger tips of the non dominant hand? Hearing your experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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I play guitar and banjo. If you receive "damage to finger tips of the non-dominant hand" you're doing something wrong, but maybe you are referring to just simple callus formation, which I must admit has pretty much ruined my fine proprioception on the very tips of my fingers. Implication for my practice? I do every arterial line with an ultrasound, which means I do it in two minutes instead of poking via palpation for a few minutes and switching over to the ultrasound anyway.

Other than that, rock on dude
 
shepardsun said:
I play guitar and banjo. If you receive "damage to finger tips of the non-dominant hand" you're doing something wrong, but maybe you are referring to just simple callus formation, which I must admit has pretty much ruined my fine proprioception on the very tips of my fingers. Implication for my practice? I do every arterial line with an ultrasound, which means I do it in two minutes instead of poking via palpation for a few minutes and switching over to the ultrasound anyway.

Other than that, rock on dude
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Also you can't bill for palpation
 
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I play guitar (poorly). Guess the one benefit I got from it was having the dexterity to tie a one-handed knot (sewing in my central lines) with either hand.

Never developed callouses to the point that I couldn’t palpate a pulse, but with ultrasounds so prevalent, now, it’s not an issue these days.
 
Been playing for decades...if anything it helps with finger dexterity, and doesn't seem to affect my ability to palpate pulses.

It's a great time to learn guitar. There are many online resources for learning how to play and for buying equipment. Also, the digital technology is so good now, that you don't even need to play through a real amp anymore.
 
Play guitar (decently), piano (poorly), and bass (which is probably worse for fingers).....i have no problem performing anesthetics. The are other activities that we don't traditionally think about that could be far more dangerous for your career than playing a string instrument ( ex. cycling)
 
waterhammer said:
Been playing for decades...if anything it helps with finger dexterity, and doesn't seem to affect my ability to palpate pulses.

It's a great time to learn guitar. There are many online resources for learning how to play and for buying equipment. Also, the digital technology is so good now, that you don't even need to play through a real amp anymore.
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I've been playing untaught for years, but now I use Fender Play, GuitarLessons365, and Rocksmith and my playing has improved dramatically. I also agree on technology. You can plug into a computer or 100$ audio interface and play though headphones. Lunchboxes are also good for people with small spaces and need headphone jacks.
 
I’ve played for about two decades. No issue. Now I mostly play songs for my kids.

Air guitar is more portable and less likely to give calloused fingertips.

Keep shredding
 
Twiggidy said:
I've been playing untaught for years, but now I use Fender Play, GuitarLessons365, and Rocksmith and my playing has improved dramatically. I also agree on technology. You can plug into a computer or 100$ audio interface and play though headphones. Lunchboxes are also good for people with small spaces and need headphone jacks.
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I gotta get into the 21st century. I’ve still got a Pignose...
 
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I didn’t know doctors couldn’t play the guitars freely, just like any other people. Our hospital even has a band, and doctors play all the instruments there without any concerns.
I’ve never been interested in music that much, but I still had an electric guitar my father gave me once. He left the family when I was 6 and tried to put up for this with various expensive gifts I didn’t even need. He even got me a full pack of guitar accessories (link deleted by moderator) They looked cool, and I managed to sell them to my classmate for some $50, I guess.
 
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I play, no issues with calluses. I agree there are many more high risk hobbies that e oils injure your back or neck, which is probably much more common a mechanism for disability. You should have a same specialty disability policy anyway just in case.
 
Twiggidy said:
Play guitar (decently), piano (poorly), and bass (which is probably worse for fingers).....i have no problem performing anesthetics. The are other activities that we don't traditionally think about that could be far more dangerous for your career than playing a string instrument ( ex. cycling)
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Cycling? Like getting nerve compression?
 
I do a fair amount of woodworking, talk about possible damage to your fingers. I wouldn't even think of this as an issue for someone wanting to take up guitar. If it's giving you problems, you can just stop.

I also used to cycle to work a fair amount in a major metropolitan area, but to me this was significantly more risky than woodworking (and some of my other hobbies) so I've had to cut it out. There's just too much out of your own control and everything is on the line.

Driving to work is still the most dangerous thing I do on any given day.
 
Been playing guitar for a good 40 years.
No issues there.
If you are going to bike, I think mountain biking is a safer choice as you don’t have to deal with cars/trucks/pavement and high speeds. If you like to pedal… MB is the way to go IMO as you also access some incredible hard to reach areas.
Did 34 miles and almost 8k vert in Moab a few days ago. Great decompression.


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Beeftenderloin said:
After spending time at a major US metro level 1 as a member of the trauma team, the number of cyclists hit by cars was staggering.
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That's because they ride like dinguses, worse than motorcycles. Can't tell you how many bicycles I've seen blow through stop signs, change lanes without looking or warning, etc.
 
GassYous said:
That's because they ride like dinguses, worse than motorcycles. Can't tell you how many bicycles I've seen blow through stop signs, change lanes without looking or warning, etc.
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In some cities, it's the drivers. I used to ride a bike around the area I grew up. Now there are so many tourists (stop and pull off to the side of the road to look at rainbows and whales) and bad local drivers, the last time I lived at home I wouldn't ride. Also in places like Albuquerque, Tucson, and Phoenix the number of insane drivers is absurd. I basically only ride on trails now.

My brother got hit in Portland when he was a Nike intern riding in the bike lane. The car was at fault.
 
33wins said:
Any anesthesiologists here who have played guitar for several years? Is it a bad idea to get involved with this hobby being the risk of damage to finger tips of the non dominant hand? Hearing your experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Lol, I play lacrosse and have broken quite a few fingers. I still play adult leagues here and there "occasionally" get whacked at all the time.

Is it smart? Probably not. Should I stop soon? Definitely. Is it fun? Yes.
 
33wins said:
Any anesthesiologists here who have played guitar for several years? Is it a bad idea to get involved with this hobby being the risk of damage to finger tips of the non dominant hand? Hearing your experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
You may find a cushy job
And I hope that you go far
But if you really want to taste some cool success
You better learn to play guitar

 
Okay - now that I have posted John Cougar, I have to hijack the thread a little so you can all enjoy this gem.

The back up singers are amazing. I don't know who one of them is, but the one with the black tambourines is Crystal Talifero who was discovered by John Cougar, then went on to perform with Billy Joel forever after.

She steals the show - check it around 4:!0 - John does a double take with a smile.....really great.

 
epidural man said:
Okay - now that I have posted John Cougar, I have to hijack the thread a little so you can all enjoy this gem.

The back up singers are amazing. I don't know who one of them is, but the one with the black tambourines is Crystal Talifero who was discovered by John Cougar, then went on to perform with Billy Joel forever after.

She steals the show - check it around 4:!0 - John does a double take with a smile.....really great.

Click to expand...

I’m a big fan of Mellencamp. His more obscure stuff is even better than his hit songs. His style harkens back to a time long forgotten.
 
Ashers said:
In some cities, it's the drivers. I used to ride a bike around the area I grew up. Now there are so many tourists (stop and pull off to the side of the road to look at rainbows and whales) and bad local drivers, the last time I lived at home I wouldn't ride. Also in places like Albuquerque, Tucson, and Phoenix the number of insane drivers is absurd. I basically only ride on trails now.

My brother got hit in Portland when he was a Nike intern riding in the bike lane. The car was at fault.
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I think what’s most important is that whatever you do brings you joy. Life is too short
 
People into guitar need to look up Tom bukovac on YouTube. He’s a Nashville session player playing out of his garage recorded with his iPhone and his playing and pearls are worth a watch.
 
propadope said:
View attachment 361007View attachment 361008
Here’s a couple of them! Bukovac is the best. Love his youtube channel, all the incredible gear he has and of course his playing.
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Love that Les Paul. My Les Paul was my first big Christmas gift to myself when I finally made attending money. I had been wanting one since high school. Ironically, my Strat is my guitar I love the most. Also a couple Moogs (Sub 37 and Matriarch) in this "studio".
 
Twiggidy said:
Love that Les Paul. My Les Paul was my first big Christmas gift to myself when I finally made attending money. I had been wanting one since high school. Ironically, my Strat is my guitar I love the most. Also a couple Moogs (Sub 37 and Matriarch) in this "studio".
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What kind of strat @Twiggidy?
 
Twiggidy said:
Good old US made American Standard. I absolutely love this thing for it being nothing “that” special. I just plays well.
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A US Standard Strat was the first good guitar I bought once I started making a little money in residency. Ive since sold it but it was a million times better than anything I owned before.
 
The Stratocaster is my favorite but these babies are just too clean. They go through a Princeton Reverb when I need to be quiet-ish and a Deluxe Reverb when I want to wake the neighbors
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propadope said:
A US Standard Strat was the first good guitar I bought once I started making a little money in residency. Ive since sold it but it was a million times better than anything I owned before.
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They play well, sound good in any amp and fit every genre. It it was good enough for Hendrix it’s good enough for me lol (Although I admit Billy Corgan is why I started playing guitar)
 
Twiggidy said:
The Stratocaster is my favorite but these babies are just too clean. They go through a Princeton Reverb when I need to be quiet-ish and a Deluxe Reverb when I want to wake the neighbors
View attachment 361043
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Beautiful! Thanks for the reminder. I need an offset in my life. Played a buddy’s Jazzmaster and I loved it. Especially the tremolo.
 
Twiggidy said:
I really have a thing for red Fenders lol
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I’ve been trying to buy my first strat for like 2 years now. So many options. I do want to explore single coils a bit more.

I play through a dual rectifier and a diezel vh4…. but lately been running them through a torpedo x amp loader and sending that signal to studio speakers. Tubes are hot in the amps and I’m not blowing out my ears lol…and amp tones are def there at lower volumes. My marshal and mesa cabs are not getting much love now days, but they are nice to look at. 🥰
 
sevoflurane said:
I’ve been trying to buy my first strat for like 2 years now. So many options. I do want to explore single coils a bit more.

I play through a dual rectifier and a diezel vh4…. but lately been running them through a torpedo x amp loader and sending that signal to studio speakers. Tubes are hot in the amps and I’m not blowing out my ears lol…and amp tones are def there at lower volumes. My marshal and mesa cabs are not getting much love now days, but they are nice to look at. 🥰
Click to expand...
A Marshall stack really is a beautiful thing. In my current housing situation my wife would murder me😛
 
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