headaches when on the gig

derekphtpt · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 10:05 pm Post subject:

Does anyone else get headaches when they play a tough gig (range wise). I'm having trouble with this. It's just when I get done playing a high, loud portion of a song. I get a painful head rush. Right now I'm attributing it to the smoke in the club maybe, but it's happened before in not so smokey places.
Help! I have another gig this weekend with the same group and I'd like to avoid the headaches if possible.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice.

fuzzyjon79 · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 10:08 pm Post subject:

Sometimes I carry a bottle of water with me. I'm also thinking of putting a couple of those sample packs of aspirin in my gig bag too.
_________________
J. Fowler
"It takes a big ole' sack of flour, to make a big ole' pan of biscuits!"

CalletJazz · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 10:59 pm Post subject:

Hi, I had the same problem for a year or so. Now they've vanished!
You get them because of lack of energy or sleep. Try to take a nap before you go to the gig or don't do anything too tiring on gig days. Also, try to eat well!!
Head rushes=lack of oxygen in brain. Oxygen=energy.
Good luck!

Billy B · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:01 am Post subject:

Being tired can definitely contribute to this problem. The head rush can also be caused by too much O2. Hyperventilating. Improper breathing, chest breathing, tension can all lead to headaches. When you are tired or tense you don't breathe right. Maybe you are just playing too loud due to poor acoustics in the club. Use your break times to drink lots of water and relax.

Pops · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:37 am Post subject:

Other causes are elevated blood pressure from closing the system too much, closed throat, teeth etc.
_________________
Clint 'Pops' McLaughlin
You can always Google me.
50 years Teaching. Teaching and writing trumpet books is ALL I do.
7,000 pages of free music. Trumpet Books, Skype Lessons: www.BbTrumpet.com

crzytptman · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 7:51 am Post subject:

In my experience, this is a result of too much air fighting a completly closed or severly restricted aperture. The vibrating mechanism (inside lip tissue) must be flexible enough to vibrate at the slightest touch of air. Realize that very little air goes thru the lips in the upper register, so maybe take a 3/4 breath to leave some room for the required compression. My recommendations:

practice the famous 20 minute whisper G to improve the response of the vibrating medium

check out Gordon's Systematic Approach for a super wind power workout

Practice Yoga breathing

as you play higher, pull the mpc slightly away from your chops as you energize the body

Works for me!

Nate
_________________
Crazy Nate - Fine Yet Mellow Fellow
"so full of it I don't know where to start"
Horn: "just mismatched Kanstul spare parts"
- TH member and advertiser (name withheld)

derekphtpt · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:12 am Post subject:

Thanks Nate. I'll try those things. I have a gig with the same group this weekend and I'm sick right now. Ugh. I'll just have to forget that I'm sick.
Derek.