Paralysis couldn't stop this musician Paralysis couldn't stop this musician (October 21, 2005)

Stroke victim David Nabb to play his customized saxophone at CSMA gig

By Molly Tanenbaum

A musician's hands are his livelihood. When saxophonist and music professor David Nabb suffered a stroke at age 37 in 2000, resulting in the loss of function in his left hand, he didn't know if he would be able to play again.

"I couldn't even conceive of not being able to use my hand," he said. "When I got sick, I had two little boys at home and they needed their dad around to make money. The ability to go back to work is an enormous factor."

Though the use of his hand did not return with time, Nabb's passion for music led him to find a solution that allowed him to continue performing: The professor helped design a one-handed saxophone, which he will showcase at an upcoming performance at the Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The event, entitled "Rhythm of Autumn, 2005," is a fundraiser to support the Peninsula Stroke Association while sending a positive message to stroke survivors, said Rezvan Mogaddam, executive director of the association. The local nonprofit informs residents of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties about stroke and stroke prevention, and supports stroke survivors and their caregivers.

"It's inspiring to our stroke community, that there is life after stroke and people, with their own commitment, can go back to some kind of independence," Mogaddam said. "Those are the types of messages and inspiration we'd like to pass on to people whose lives have been impacted by stroke."

Today, Nabb continues his work as an associate professor of music at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. (He holds multiple music degrees, including a Ph.D. in music education, from the University of North Texas.) But the road to rehabilitation has been slow and gradual for Nabb.

"It took 30 years to learn to play with two hands, and it'll probably take as long to learn to play with one," Nabb said. "I'm just starting to get reasonably comfortable now."

A few months after Nabb's stroke, his wife, Franziska, a flute player, began talking with Jeff Stelling, a friend and instrument builder, about the possibility of a designing a one-handed saxophone for Nabb. At first, Nabb was resistant, still hoping that he would regain the use of his left hand.

"I didn't want to do it at all," he said.

But his wife persisted, and told him that Stelling would proceed without Nabb to build the saxophone if necessary. Soon, Nabb gave in, deciding that he wanted be involved in the creation of the instrument if it would allow him to continue as a musician.

"Music is an enormous part of my life. It's a means of self-expression but also a whole element of socialization and communication. That's how I met my wife and that's the main thing I do with my kids, practice instruments with them," Nabb said.

After a year of development, Stelling's first one-handed saxophone, built from a low-quality student sax, was ready. Later, Stelling built a second instrument using a professional Yamaha. Nabb now plays on the latter while a South Carolinian boy who lost his hand in an airplane crash plays the former.

The revolutionary mechanism that allows for one-handed playing is what Nabb calls a "toggle key." The key can be pressed in three different places to serve the functions of the right hand, left hand, or both hands at the same time, according to Nabb.

Nabb and Stelling have already received recognition for the instrument, including grants and instrument donations from Yamaha. They currently have plans to create a one-handed flute.

However, the saxophone is not cheap. While a standard sax costs about $3,000, Nabb and Stelling's one-handed model costs $40,000 because of the time it takes to construct.

"We've had requests from a number of people who'd love to play on one. But it's so expensive to build that they can't afford it," Nabb said.

Nabb says he's looking forward to playing his sax at CSMA so that he can give the invention more exposure. He intends to play a George Gershwin medley, among other selections.

The night, to be preceded by a reception and silent auction, will also include tango dancers from the Arthur Murray Studios and performances by other musicians.

"I think it's going to be a fantastic event in terms of not only the quality of the program but also the awareness that this program will bring to our community about strokes," said Mogaddam.
INFORMATION: What: "The Rhythm of Autumn, 2005," a fund-raiser concert for the Peninsula Stroke Association, featuring saxophonist and stroke survivor David Nabb When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 7-10 p.m. Where: Community School for Music and Arts at Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View Tickets: Can be purchased for $50 online at www.psastroke.org, or by phone at (650) 565-8485

E-mail Molly Tanenbaum at mtanenbaum@mv-voice.com

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