"Despite facing a health condition that's making him resemble a novice, Victor Wooten expresses that he continues to take pleasure in playing the bass guitar"
Victor Wooten Battles Focal Dystonia: A Journey of Adaptation and Innovation
Renowned bass guitarist Victor Wooten is currently battling a neurological movement disorder called focal dystonia. This condition has caused three fingers on his fretting hand to involuntarily curl up, making it difficult for him to place those fingers properly on the bass neck[1][2].
To adapt, Wooten has been playing mostly with one finger, sometimes two if he can keep them straight, which requires significant adjustment to his style. Despite the challenge, he views the condition as a forcing function for innovation, calling it a "positive" in some respects[1][2].
Wooten has been living with this condition for about 25 years, but it has recently begun to take a greater toll. He describes it as having "turned me into a beginner again" since his fingers became sluggish just as his career with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones was starting[3][4].
In response, Wooten has sought specialized therapy, including work with a practitioner named Ruth Childs in Spain, who helps him address the deep-seated brain mechanisms causing the dystonia. This therapy aims to rewire neural pathways to mitigate symptoms. However, Wooten notes that improvement requires consistent personal effort and retraining[2][3].
Despite the playing obstacles posed by his focal dystonia, Wooten is using it as an opportunity to go back to the basics and strengthen his foundational playing skills. He is not ashamed of his condition and hopes to inspire other bassists or guitarists who may be going through a similar situation[5].
Wooten is currently focusing on playing one note at a time, a shift in his playing style due to his condition. In a video, he demonstrates how his three affected fingers curl into a ball when he picks up the bass, making it difficult for him to play[6]. However, he is able to play well using one finger, his index finger, and pinky, but it is a struggle for him to use two fingers while keeping them straight.
Wooten's determination to find a cure for focal dystonia and help others with the condition is evident. He is a teacher at Berklee and has written books, but his condition has forced him to prove his teaching by practicing what he preaches[7]. He is also touring with the Wooten Brothers, which allows him to focus on being a bass player rather than a soloist or trickster.
In conclusion, focal dystonia has significantly constrained Victor Wooten's fretting hand ability, leading him to adapt by using fewer fingers and exploring neurological therapies aimed at retraining his brain and muscles to regain functionality, though it remains a daily struggle[1][2][3][4]. Wooten's resilience and innovative approach to music in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to many.
[1] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088728/ [2] www.bassplayer.com/articles/victor-wooten-battles-focal-dystonia [3] www.bassmusicianmagazine.com/victor-wooten-battles-focal-dystonia/ [4] www.bassworld.net/bass-news/victor-wooten-battles-focal-dystonia [5] www.bassplayer.com/articles/victor-wooten-says-he-doesnt-need-advanced-technique-to-play-a-good-bassline [6] www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZD87nKYgPg [7] www.berklee.edu/news/victor-wooten-joins-berklee-faculty
- Victor Wooten, renowned for his skills on the Gibson Bass Guitar, is facing challenges with focal dystonia, a neurological movement disorder.
- Despite the difficulty in maintaining the correct finger placement on his guitar neck, Wooten continues to play using one or two fingers, adapting his Les Paul Guitar technique.
- Wooten's journey with focal dystonia, which he's been wrestling for about 25 years, has led him to explore health-and-wellness practices, including specialized therapies to rewire brain mechanisms.
- Wooten's resilience in music, entertainment, and mental health is inspiring, as he uses his situation to promote the importance of consistency and personal effort in overcoming challenges.
- Wooten's approach to music, which emphasizes going back to the basics and strengthening foundational skills, is a testament to his dedication to the science of musical arts.
- As Wooten concentrates on his solo guitar performances with the Wooten Brothers, he emphasizes the value of fitness-and-exercise in maintaining his ability to play, even with the limitations imposed by his condition.
