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[Manbrass]

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[mjrctuba]

I had a very similar experience when I came back after taking time of from playing. For me, the problem occured mostly in the middle register. My chops would feel and sound unsteady and would sometimes even leak on the side.

I'm all better now. To be honest, it took about three years to get rid of the wavering completely. What cured it was practice. I took lessons to identify what was going on when. Then I worked and worked on the middle register. Long tones. Lip slurs. Mouthpiece drills. Work, work, work.

The other thing that really helps is ensemble playing. Playing with other musicians is a great workout and, in my experience, really strengthens the chops.

Play often, play with others. Take lessons if you can.

Good luck! If I can do it, anybody can!

[Roger Lewis]

It might be that you are asking the small muscles of the lip to do more work than they are used to and they are fatiguing rather quickly. I would recommend that you focus more on using the air to take the strain off the small muscles of the embouchure. I use the spit valve drill religiously as it refocuses the "work" to the air and not the embouchure. You can find an explanation of how it works here:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16642&p=353463&hili ... ll#p353463" target="_blank

All the best tpo you and good luck.

Roger

[MaryAnn]

If it does happen to be TSFD, practicing will make it worse. This is my principal symptom, a lip tremor. I'd pay very strong attention to what Roger said and utilize that advice to the best of your ability. Change how you focus mentally on playing; whatever you're concentrating on, concentrate on something else. E.g., if you are concentrating on your lips, concentrate on your air instead. If you continue to get worse then you need to get in-person professional help from someone experienced in TSFD.

I found that I have a genetic problem with mold exposure inside buildings and that that was a factor in my TSFD, because if you have the gene then mold toxins get into your brain and create havoc (as well as other places.) So if you have relatives with RA, MS, CFS, or FM, checking on the mold genetics is a really good idea. Most physicians are unfamiliar with this as it is "new medicine."

MA

[MaryAnn]

LOL!

MS Multiple Sclerosis
RA Rheumatoid Arthritis
CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
FM Fibromyalgia

All are frequent mis-diagnoses of illness caused by ongoing exposure to the toxin-producing molds in water damaged buildings.

MA

[mjrctuba]

I missed the reference to focal dystonia in your post. I'm not sure who told you that you have a dystonia, but I would recommend that you only consider it a valid suggestion if it came from a physician.

We're talking about someone who has taken time off from the horn and is coming back. I would think the most likely cause of tremor would be muscular weakness. While it's true that it could be harmful to try to cure a dystonia through lots of playing, there is no reason to suspect a neurological disorder or something dramatic like that.

Like I said, I experienced almost the exact same thing when I took years of from playing and then came back to it. It was muscle weakness. It went away when my chops got stronger.

If you feel like your chops are back 100% and the problem is still there, then I think it's time to consult a good physician. Right now, it's time to consult a good tuba teacher.

Good luck!

[scottshanks]

I am not an expert on focal dystonia, so I cannot speak to the possibility of your issue being that. If you just started to play again, your brain is probably capable of playing things that your face may be too out of shape to be successful on just yet. I would suggest ascending chromatic exercises beginning in a really easy range and ascend up a tritone and back down, then start a half step higher, still going up a tritone, and continue through your practical range. Practice this softly, concentrating on your aperture. Chromatics are very good embouchure strength training, and if done gently, softly, and with no pressure, can not only strengthen your face, but help develop better tone quality, and increase your range with uniform tone. Bordogni played softly could also be useful.

[k001k47]

I don't have any advice to offer, but I hope it's nothing serious and that everything works out well.