I found out that Parkinson's not only affects my finger dexterity, but memory problems from Parkinson's also affects my ability to play guitar. I long suspected this, but had no proof until recently.

In December, my neuro prescribed the Exelon patch for me after I described problems I had with getting lost. If traffic was backed up on the expressway and I tried to take an alternative route home, I always made wrong choices on which way to turn.

The Exelon did not work right away, but after about 2 months, I suddenly started noticing that the medication was making a difference. When practicing guitar, there were passages I had practiced for years and it had seemed like I had a mental block for remembering a particular finger pattern. The e minor scale as fingered by Segovia seemed impossible to learn. When I was taking more lessons about 6 years ago, the teacher was insistent that I spend more time practicing scales and that I learn the minor scales, which I was not good at. That is when I began my concentrated effort to learn the e minor scale, but it seemed like I had a mental block. I spent hours playing that scale and every time I went back to it, I had to start from scratch. When I played it with my advanced students, I always had to look at the sheet music. Suddenly, the mental block was gone and I could play what had been impossible to remember! I was amazed. Likewise, there are passages of music that have always given me trouble and again, it seems like the mental block has gone and they are easier to play.

If you feel like your Parkinson's is causing any mental blocks when playing music, I highly recommend Exelon.

Recently, I went to the art museum, whose floor plan had always confused me, and when I was ready to go home, I found my way to the exit in record time!