 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: allencole
Date: 2001-11-30 06:46
I have a seventh grade student with pretty pronounced TMJ problems. Her jaw pops when she tightens her corners and/or puts out any real thumb pressure. This is making it difficult for her to keep her high range up to pitch, and sometimes she can't sound 2nd ledger line C or above.
I have never had a student with this problem before (although I have experienced it playing low saxes and bass clarinet) and had no luck in searching the database.
Her problems closely resemble those of someone who is double jointed in the thumb--except that I can't cure her TMJ with a neckstrap.
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Author: Angela
Date: 2001-11-30 20:48
Is it actually painful to her when she plays? Because I have TMJ as well, though probably not as bad. My jaw does pop and make noise most of the time, but especially after playing. It really doesn't hurt me to play though.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2001-12-01 04:33
Do a search on TMJ, there was an extensive thread on it some time ago.
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Author: Mark M
Date: 2001-12-02 06:46
Get her to see a good dentist. She could be clenching/grinding her teeth in her sleep exacerbating the problem. A night guard will most likely solve that. Also, ask her to try to realize if she is doing it during the day and if so stop. Speaking from experience, it all helps. It sure cured my headaches that no amount of ibuprofen/tylenol/aspirin etc could.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2001-12-05 17:02
There will be no magic bullet - teachers and student will need to approach this from a number of directions.
Seeing her dentist first is a good idea. The right person can diagnose a number of conditions that would have an impact.
There are a number of posture issues that will impact the jaw. Is she standing up straight when she plays? Does she bring her head to the instrument or the instrument to her? Will moving the instrument up or down (changing the angle relative to her head) change anything? Does her jaw pop when biting into an apple? If it doesn't, then she may well get some relief with a more perpendicular approach to the instrument (ala Artie Shaw.)
Alexander Technique addresses general tension and posture issues and might help, more than you might expect.
What about her mouthpiece opening and reed strength? People I have known with TMJ have all been convinced that their sound will be no good with less than a #4 or #5 reed. This may seem to be the case, especially on an instrument that has not been oiled regularly or that needs work.
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