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 Arm strength
Author: GoatTnder 
Date:   2006-04-06 17:16

Bob Draznik in a post about leaky embouchure mentioned something I thought was interesting. His right arm is stronger than his left. I noticed so is mine. Is there a connection? Do years of supporting the weight of our small instruments with the same arm add up? Or is a freak coincidence?

For my own curiousity, if you can notice a difference, which arm is stronger for you? (Yes, I mean you) Thanks.

Andres Cabrera
South Bay Wind Ensemble
www.SouthBayWinds.com
sbwe@sbmusic.org

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: bufclar 
Date:   2006-04-06 17:31

I would suspect that which ever arm you write with is your dominant hand/arm and most likely will be stronger. It would be interesting to know if the left handed people on this board report a stronger left arm or right. I think that might give us some good information in regards to your post.

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: BobD 
Date:   2006-04-06 20:30

My comment about arm strength was intended to imply the possibility that one side of one's mouth might be stronger than the other and that could lead to unbalance of the embouchure. It is well known to artists and some others who study the subject that the two sides of the human face are not identical. We often hear here that mouthpieces and reeds can be unbalanced. Perhaps mouths can be also. I do know that when I play too long I start leaking air....the muscles are tiring. So....which side do you leak from?

Bob Draznik

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: 3dogmom 
Date:   2006-04-06 21:10

I'm left handed - and have a stronger left arm. And fortunately, no leak of which I am aware.
Sue Tansey

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: Cuisleannach 
Date:   2006-04-07 07:43

Ambidextrous with a stronger left arm. I have noticed over the years that for most people mouthpieces tend to wear more on the right side, and have been told that the effects on dentition of those of us who play for many many years is to cause a slight shift in the teeth from right to left.

I leak from both sides at the top, probably due to me curling my upper lip under. I will then generally switch to a double-lipped embouchure if I'm sitting down.
-Randy

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: GBK 
Date:   2006-04-07 12:31

The clarinet, of course is a two handed instrument, but being left handed, I've always felt, is an advantage to clarinet playing.

The top hand, which is more used and requires more dexterity (especially in the throat register) favors the left handed player.

The right handed player just has to work a bit harder to strengthen their weaker left hand.

...GBK (left handed)

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: Bob Phillips 
Date:   2006-04-07 16:30

It seems that exercising one limb more than the other does, in fact, lead to assmmetry.

Bob Phillips

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: corks&pads 
Date:   2006-04-07 21:27

Learn to juggle, using something like Lacrosse balls (Duke U. probably will have some for sale soon...cheap). It keeps the strength balanced in both of your arms and also helps to develop more equal and coordinated use of both sides of the brain -- not a bad thing for a musician, surgeon, or skydiver.

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: GoatTnder 
Date:   2006-04-08 01:37

Well, I'm left handed, but my right is stronger. I always assumed it was from supporting the instrument.

Andres Cabrera
South Bay Wind Ensemble
www.SouthBayWinds.com
sbwe@sbmusic.org

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: Cuisleannach 
Date:   2006-04-08 03:31

If you want really interesting assymetry, take a look at the bare back and shoulders of a violin or viola player....particularly one who's played for some time. It's really unusual and striking. 'Cellists and bassists have the same thing, but it's not nearly as pronounced.

-Randy

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 Re: Arm strength
Author: diz 
Date:   2006-04-10 03:49

My right arm is stronger than my left ... I'm right handed, there MUST be a connection, surely.

Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.

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