Gladius

I am a guitar teacher by profession, as well as a guitarist/composer, currently forming a band. For my GUITAR INSTRUCTION page, please see: ajcguitarlessons ) -- Guitar Student Testimonials, can be found in the blog.

My musical background:

I began playing the guitar at age ten, but did not get remotely serious/motivated/inspired until age 17, when, owing much to a rigorous 5 hour daily practice-routine, I finally progressed to playing some leads and composing more intricate music by incorporating newly acquired knowledge of various scales, techniques and concepts learned through taking lessons, practice and experience, not to mention multi-tracked experimental recordings. For as the noble Frederic Chopin once said, "Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two..."

Shortly thereafter, I took up classical guitar lessons, partly in preparation for music school, but mainly out of, honestly, a long-procrastinated interest to play classical guitar.

But all of that, it appeared, would soon change, at least for the time. For on June 14, 2005 I literally woke up with symptoms of nerve damage (precisely one day after commencing my first music class at college (Georgia State University School of Music), I kid you not. This medical condition was soon to affect both wrists and both elbows (bilateral cubital tunnel as well as carpal tunnel syndromes). I am currently amidst a process of physical recovery and, hopefully soon, complete recovery. Hence, I still experience significant physically challenges/difficulties as relates to guitar-playing (unfortunately), but the good news is that it appears to be gradually (and very slowly) improving.

My music is always recorded entirely on ANALOG recording equipment (before being transferred to cd/mp3/etc. via a computer) --yes, that means there was no digital editing, cutting and pasting of parts--what you hear is genuinely as it was played.

So, how does the nerve entrapment affect guitar playing and/or what does that have to do with anything?

It has everything to do with it, because your sensation (which directly affects your coordination) is controlled largely by nerves. When the nerves are entrapped (or pinched), the sensation, and hence the coordination, essentially stinks. Two and a half years, two surgical operations, and a considerable amount physical therapy later, I am currently in the process of a long, slow, gradual recovery, and still praying for it...And when it's there, praise the Lord when that happens!

In the mean time, there's guitar teaching to be done. (see: : ajcguitarlessons )

For updates, be sure to check the latest blog.

Thanks for listening and supporting,
Andrew Connors

My GUITAR LESSONS Web-page:
myspace.com/ajcguitarlessons

My other music web-pages:

www.isynx.com/Gladius

ursession.com/gladiusmusic

Gladius's Showcase

epitunes.com