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  #1  
Old 02-12-2019, 09:19 PM
815C 815C is offline
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Default My blind friend's take on acoustic guitar...

This is Jay Pilkington. Jay and I have been best friends since 1978. He is 100% blind - can't tell if the lights are on or off. Although he doesn't like saying he is blind. He prefers to say that he just can't see.

Also, you may notice he holds the guitar in a somewhat unique way. That is because the elbow on his fretting arm is totally frozen with zero flexibility.

I like his take on acoustic guitar in this short video interview...

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Old 02-12-2019, 09:48 PM
reeve21 reeve21 is offline
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Loved it. Thanks for the post!
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Old 02-12-2019, 10:00 PM
Scott O Scott O is offline
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Very cool take. Hard to imagine what he went through as an 11 year old.
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Old 02-12-2019, 10:04 PM
Rhythmdoctor Rhythmdoctor is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott O View Post
Very cool take. Hard to imagine what he went through as an 11 year old.
Was thinking the same thing. My son is 10 and that really hit home. Life is short and can change on a dime. Awesome interview. Loved his playing.
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Old 02-12-2019, 10:32 PM
RockyRacc00n RockyRacc00n is offline
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May your friend continue to create colors even more vibrant than the ones he saw on that sunsetting sky.
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Old 02-12-2019, 10:38 PM
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PTony PTony is offline
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He seems to “see” just fine.

In fact, I believe he “sees” more than many of us. Awesome and inspiring. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us.
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Old 02-12-2019, 10:53 PM
skypeace skypeace is offline
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Truly inspiring. Insightful to say the least. Thank you much for sharing.
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Old 02-13-2019, 07:40 AM
redir redir is offline
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"One of the last things I saw..." Wow. Yeah keep on keepin' on, that's what we do. I think your friends take on the guitar is spot on.
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Old 02-13-2019, 08:42 AM
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That's some great stuff there....thanks for posting.
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Old 02-13-2019, 08:49 AM
jaymarsch jaymarsch is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RockyRacc00n View Post
May your friend continue to create colors even more vibrant than the ones he saw on that sunsetting sky.
I could not have said it better. ^^^ Thanks for posting!

Best,
Jayne
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Old 02-13-2019, 08:56 AM
zmf zmf is offline
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I somehow find the video reassuring. Lose something and gain something, if your head is in the right place.

Thanks.
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Old 02-13-2019, 09:14 AM
john57classic john57classic is offline
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What a great way to start my day. Thanks for sharing David!
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Old 02-13-2019, 09:28 AM
rmgjsps rmgjsps is offline
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Jay is pretty darned amazing.

In a similar vein: Over 50 years ago, my sister, then in college, also worked at a residential rehabilitation institute for physically challenged children. Now and then she would ask me to come and play a few songs for the kids. There was one small, profoundly deaf, young boy who would sit beside me on the auditorium stage and rest his fingertips very gently on the lower bout of my guitar. This was how he "heard" the music. Now and then if he seemed to particularly enjoy a selection, he would place his other hand on the back of the instrument. I could tell from his facial expressions when he sensed happy, sad, quiet, or intense moods in the songs. I still remember that small boy 50 plus years on.
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Old 02-15-2019, 03:57 AM
gitarro gitarro is offline
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The op's story reminds me of this great song aa performed by Tommy emmanuel:-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc2FJvN7s7o
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Old 02-15-2019, 05:25 AM
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Wow.
Thank you for sharing Jay's story and perspective.
People with that kind of stamina and fortitude are sincerely humbling.
You're a good friend.

~ Paul

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