I have been diagnosed with Focal Dystonia and after spending hours and hours researching I agree with the diagnosis.
Essentially, focal dystonia is an involuntary movement of one or more fingers. In short, I cannot play and have not been able to play for a considerable amount of time. Despite all efforts (and considerable efforts) to improve through practise, there has been no improvement and there has been some worsening of my technique. Picado, arpeggios, tremolo and rasgueados are all but impossible to execute.
For the time being this blog will be closed. There are some technical issues to resolve (character encoding for Spanish accents) and some drafts to be published.
The problem of focal dystonia can be attacked – generally by taking a totally new approach to technique, thinking about the body and the music itself. I am tempted follow this path (and blog about it here) but for the time being I will continue to read and research.
If you have any experience with this ailment (actually more of a “mal-adaptation”) please do get in touch because I would be very very happy to hear about your experiences.
2 Comments
Hello Miguel, I too have focal hand dystonia. I played flamenco and classical to a high standard until 2006 when gradually things went wrong, I was diagnosed in 2007. I still cannot play finger style and have tried many different re-learning approaches. Generally there is no cure and those who return to a high standard did not have dystonia. I can play simple pulgar only.
So in 2008 I took up the Arabic oud, played with a risha (plectrum). Now, a few years on I feel like a musician again and have come to love the oud as much as I did the guitar. I wish you well but don’t waste time if you have ‘Focal hand dystonia’ there is no cure.
You will only ever manage very very simple playing and only for a short time before tension makes even that impossible. Believe me I tried everything. I admire your efforts, I felt this way also, Best, Charlie.
Thank you very much for your comment, Charlie. (I need to take a few minutes to think about what I am about to say next… )
Really, yes thank you. But I have to say that I am going to disagree with you. Because I have to. I have no direct evidence (unlike you) that I can quote as proof that I am right and that you are wrong. But disagree, I must.
If I begin to entertain doubts – then why bother with the task in the first place? How many doubts should I allow? One or two? Big ones or just the small ones? The only logical conclusion to reach is stop trying to improve.
However, that road will not lead to any improvement. But there has been an improvement. It is not consistent (as you mention) and cannot be relied upon. But since my return from Joaquin Farias, I have been able to play beautifully, occasionally. I believe that if I could do it once I can do it again. “Quijotesco”, it may well be but…
I would, however, be very interested in hearing exactly what re-learning approaches you adopted and what happened…