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Jaw tightens as I ascend



 
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CJceltics33
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Joined: 24 Aug 2017
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 8:59 am    Post subject: Jaw tightens as I ascend Reply with quote

I recently figured out that as I ascend, my jaw tightens pretty dramatically. Without tightening my jaw I can’t really pull off anything above middle C. Is this an issue? How can I stop it if it is?
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jadickson
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Joined: 23 Jun 2006
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Location: Raleigh, NC

PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sounds like a great way to get TMJ, to me. Yes you should stop doing that.
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veery715
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Joined: 13 Aug 2007
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

From an earlier post from Tue Aug 12, 2014:
In her Trumpeting By Nature and in my lessons with Jeanne Pocius (Dorismund), she uses rubber cubes cut from pink erasers, in different thicknesses - 1/4 to 1/2 inch (I think) which one inserts between the back upper and lower molars. This forces you to keep the teeth apart and helps with achieving her low pressure approach. She CAUTIONS against doing this when alone as one might inadvertently begin to swallow and choke on them (seriously).
Initially I found this very uncomfortable, but it did help me to learn to have a more relaxed jaw/bite which transfers to a more relaxed setup overall. I admit I did not like using them.

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CJceltics33
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 10:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My jaw has been feeling tight even when I am not playing and I guess now I know why!


Just tried it. It’s very uncomfortable but seems to help. Thanks!
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EBjazz
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 10:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There may be other tension involved. Try relaxing your neck, shoulders and arms.

Eb
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veery715
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 12:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

EBjazz wrote:
There may be other tension involved. Try relaxing your neck, shoulders and arms.

Eb
As Eric mentions, tension can come from other parts of the body. Tension is the trumpeter's enemy. It is VERY easy to let tension into the process. Make sure your left hand has a loose grip, not a death grip, on the horn, and make a conscious effort to have good vertical posture which helps to keep the airway open. When I am concentrating on music the first thing to happen is the bell of the horn comes down and I slouch. Not good!
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JayKosta
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Joined: 24 Dec 2018
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 12:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Practice 'slow and easy' exercises such as in the first several pages of Arban's. Play them slow enough so you can actually concentrate and control your jaw position (teeth separated).

I believe the 'standard technique' is for the upper and lower teeth to always have separation while playing, and certainly not clenched together.

I'm currently doing those exercises, and I also concentrate on a 'feeling' of moving my lower jaw forward to have the lower lip and front teeth provide more support against the rim of the mouthpiece. I don't know if there is much measurable forward lower jaw movement, and that is why I said a 'feeling' of movement. The goal of having more pressure on the lower lip is to reduce the pressure on the upper lip so the upper can vibrate more freely.

Spending time doing those simple exercises may seem silly, but I think they are a good way to develop the unconscious habit of playing in that manner - so the desired jaw/teeth/lip position continues to be used as a matter of course.

Jay
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Rod Haney
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Joined: 22 Aug 2015
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CJceltics33 wrote:
My jaw has been feeling tight even when I am not playing and I guess now I know why!


Just tried it. It’s very uncomfortable but seems to help. Thanks!

Next time you see your dentist ask him about signs of TMJ.
Rod
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picctpt33
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Joined: 07 Aug 2019
Posts: 96

PostPosted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Consider thinking of the idea of going “down” as you ascend, like Stamp teaches
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