Developing face quivers/tremors over the years

[Stradbrother]

Hey TH

So I am a very regular player who plays and teaches for a living. One thing I have noticed now that I'm in my mid-20s is that my face is developing face quivers.

I have a hard time keeping pitch on sustained notes now. I'll attack, and instead of having my notes centered right away, My face will have a bunch of little ticks or quivers, putting bumps in my sound.

If I'm playing a solo, its no problem. With vibrato and notes changing, I don't notice it happening, just when I'm sustaining.

It's not nerves, this happens when I'm relaxed and alone.

It stinks because when I went to a doctor for a physical, they were pretty relaxed about it.

"Oh yeah, that's just getting older for ya"

Well, its affecting what I do.

Especially with looking to start my graduate studies on the horn, I can't be having these little mini ticks.

Anyone ever struggle with this? Never been a problem with me before this calendar year, and I'm one to regularly warmup with long tones, slurs, scales, etc. everyday.

[kalijah]

[deleted_user_02066fd]

I sometimes get these as well, mostly my left eyelid. I mentioned this to a chiropractic physician I go to, he's also a year away from a naturopathic degree. He suggested that my electrolyte and magnesium levels might be low. I use an electrolyte drink that contains magnesium and also a magnesium supplement. The problem hasn't disappeared completely but it's diminished significantly.

[mike ansberry]

I also have a problem with this, but then I'm 65. I find that it is drastically reduced if I don't have any caffeine.
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Music is a fire in your belly, fighting to get out. You'd better put a horn in the way before someone gets hurt.

[Uberopa]

Hi All
I'm just shy of seventy. From dental changes and the wear and tear of living I have developed an intermittent quaver in my sound. I would get frustrated and try to just bulldoze my way through it. I decided to try a different approach and took a more detached view of the problem by simply observing that the quaver was present that day. No judgment, no panic just awareness and relaxation into mental or physical adjustment. By relaxing into the problem I could get past the "Geez, I suck" that created tensions that would make things worse. The concept is better explained in the "Inner Game of Tennis or Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". Best wishes in resolving your challenge.

[GeorgeB]

[Billy B]

isometric tension
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Bill Bergren