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Clarinet TMJ and Embouchure problems

Author: icmusicman
Date: 2013-10-23 03:33

Hello all
I am currently in my Junior year of college, earning my BM in Clarinet Performance.
I have been playing since 5th grade and have had a really good endurance up until about senior year of high school.

I began having corner leaks and my endurance decreased dramatically.

Mainly in the last 2 years, I have not been able to play for over 30 minutes without a major air leak. Most times, within 45 minutes of playing, I cannot produce a single note anymore due to my corners not sealing and jaw fatigue, all there is to hear is air. (And yes, this is no matter how hard I am blowing... I won't make a single note)

I have recently been getting physical therapy done for my TMj, and that jaw pain isn't as bad as it used to be.. But my corners are not sealing, no matter how hard I try to pull my chin down and keep my embouchure, I absolutely cannot control the corners to seal. I try to warm up doing longtones, but that cuts my 45 minutes of play time to about 5... if I do long tones, my embouchure is SHOT for the whole day...

This will happen on any reed strength, any mouthpiece, any set up practically.
I have no idea on what to do, and my professor isn't helping me much....

Any ideas or any questions retaining to my problem please help a fellow musician out! I absolutely am DYING to have a breakthrough and get this solved as soon as possible...

Thank you so much for your time!

- Anthony

On the way to great embouchure!

Post Edited (2013-10-23 03:54)

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