 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DennisCheng
Date: 2007-01-18 14:25
Hi everyone. i've noticed that after playing my clarinet for some time , the muscles at my jaw ( part that is nearest to the ear) aches instead of my mouth area feeling tired.
I've talked to my teacher about it.She herself is unsure and suspect that my neck is too tense. As when i play , the nerve at my neck area pops out.
But the problem is even when my upper body is'nt tense, the nerve keeps popping out.
This affects my clarinet playing alot because my jaw( same area ) gets tired after only 15 minutes of playing consecutively. Someone please help me, i really have no idea how to correct it.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-18 14:44
Are your wisdom teeth erupting?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-01-18 14:54
Wow....never heard of a nerve popping out
Bob Draznik
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-01-18 14:59
See a therapeutic massager or a chiropractor if traditional treatments (tiger balm, hot packs/cool packs etc) don't help.
--
Ben
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Author: joannew
Date: 2007-01-18 15:10
The Alexander technique is a fantastic way of learning to use your body more effectively / efficiently, in playing the clarinet and everything else you do. I imagine a session (or a series, if possible) with an experienced teacher would give some insight into the problem, and help you learn to minimize tension in the jaw and neck when you play.
In any case, this is an issue to take seriously, before it escalates. I have found out the hard way that chronic jaw tension can lead to ear problems, but my Alexander lessons have helped alot.
Joanne
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-01-18 15:18
do you gnash your teeth at night during sleep?
btw- it's not a nerve popping out of your neck. It's a blood vessle.
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Author: bufclar
Date: 2007-01-18 15:45
It could also be TMJ. This is one of the areas that TMJ can cause problems. I would see a doctor for an expert opinion.
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Author: DennisCheng
Date: 2007-01-18 15:47
bufclar wrote:
> It could also be TMJ. This is one of the areas that TMJ can
> cause problems. I would see a doctor for an expert opinion.
sorry , TMJ = ?
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Author: D
Date: 2007-01-18 16:47
does it still happen if you use a very very low resistance set up?
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Author: joannew
Date: 2007-01-18 17:37
here are a couple of good places to start learning about the Alexander technique, but it is a practice that needs to be taught hands-on, one on one with an instructor. It teaches us to re-learn our body awareness, so that we can take control of bad habits (such as grinding the teeth at night, slouching, nervous responses, etc). It is extremely useful to musicians because it can help prevent repetitive strain injuries and alleviate stage fright, but indirectly it also improves the ability to express musical ideas.
http://www.alexandertechnique.com/musicians.htm
http://www.alexandercenter.com/pa/
I used to grind my teeth at night and habitually clench my jaw, and I think that is what has led to my hearing disorder. But since I started learning Alexander technique I don't grind my teeth anymore, have much less tension in the jaw and facial muscles, and my tinnitus is now much reduced. I also have better posture, and have found a new hand position for clarinet playing that reduces fatigue on the right wrist, which should help a long-standing tendonitis issue.
I also have started playing with a double-lip embouchure to try learn to play without biting.
Just for clarification: everyone has TMJ - this is the temporomandibular joint (the jaw hinge). A TMJ disorder or TMD is what should send you to a doctor/dentist. But in my experience the standard treatment for TMD is ineffective at best, or counterproductive at worst. Read here:
http://www.is.wayne.edu/mnissani/bruxnet/advice.htm
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Author: mk
Date: 2007-01-19 03:57
as a clarinetist and pharmacist i would suggest to you that a health care professional should be consulted. I would first suggest you check with your dentist to find out if any physiological problems exist with your jaw, for example, TMJ. Dentists and EENTS are a good place to start. I think your problem is solvable once a diagnosis is made. I like the alexander techinque concept but lets rule out any possible medical conditions first. Any docs in here that can help? Unfortunately diagnosis is not where my expertise lies, but hopefully it will give you direction of where to find help.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-01-19 12:45
you grind your teeth at night? - that is the cause. I am sure. it also causes damage to your teeth over time.
go to your dentist and ask about a plastic bite for you to wear at night. there is a product called 'Aqualizer'; it works great, too.
-S
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Author: DennisCheng
Date: 2007-01-19 13:26
thanks guys for the replies.i really appreciate the help.I heed you guys' advice and visit the doctor.
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Author: RAB
Date: 2007-01-19 13:27
I agree that TMJ should be considered.
Also try playing a few 5 minute session double lip.
That way if you are using to much lower jaw pressure (biting)it will be very painful on the inner lips ant that might be a clue to change the em brochure
RAB
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2007-01-20 03:30
You´ll have to see what solves the problem for you. Each of us is built very differently.
In my case I had the same problem, and found that using the double-lip method for awhile trained me very fast to not bite. This was recommended in one of the books - David Pino or Tom Ridenour? It helped very much. For me it was a remedial method as opposed to being permanent. But the jaw ache can come back and I go back to double-lipping to re-train my embouchure.
This is the simplest and least expensive way to start solving the problem. Then try the other techniques described above to see if those help. You´ll find something that works for you.
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Author: johnnymo0829
Date: 2007-01-24 19:30
go to a doctor, but you may also just be useing a reed that makes you bite too much. I normally got jaw pain when I would go to harder reeds for a few weeks till I built up the strength to manage the harder reed.
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