Advice for embouchure dystonia

[kookposaune]

Hello, I'm college amateur player in S.Korea. Currently I'm suffering from an embouchure dystonia which started about 2 months ago, I'm doing lip excercises(Dr. McGrail's Lip Exercises) and moithpiece practices and I'm using robinson's lip recovery cream but it doesn't seem it's getting better. It would be greatful if I could get any advice..

My symptom is similar to this video

[StephenK]

Perhaps it's worth looking up the various articles and videos that David Vining has created, and his journey to overcome it.

[Doug Elliott]

I have my own methods of diagnosing the issues that lead to that situation, and then fixing the actual problems to make playing work efficiently again. Correct playing for your individual face is really important.

[kookposaune]

I have my own methods of diagnosing the issues that lead to that situation, and then fixing the actual problems to make playing work efficiently again. Correct playing for your individual face is really important.

Thank you i'll try with my face

[Vegasbound]

I have my own methods of diagnosing the issues that lead to that situation, and then fixing the actual problems to make playing work efficiently again. Correct playing for your individual face is really important.

Thank you i'll try with my face

Have a Skype lesson with Doug

[kookposaune]

Thank you i'll try with my face

Have a Skype lesson with Doug

I'm not sure.. since I'm not that good at english and time zone is also different here..

[Doug Elliott]

I'm used to dealing with time differences, that's not a problem. Not sure about the language though... it might be OK.

[Savio]

What exactly is dystonia? Muscle problem? I read that even famous musicians, both trumpet and trombone, can get it. Even string players? I think it must involve incorrect use of muscles?

Leif

[BGuttman]

What exactly is dystonia? Muscle problem? I read that even famous musicians, both trumpet and trombone, can get it. Even string players? I think it must involve incorrect use of muscles?

Leif

It is a condition where you lose control over the muscles that create an embouchure. The full name is "Focal Dystonia". Sometimes you can use therapy to create alternative ways to control the embouchure and sometimes you can't. There is another condition known as "Bell's Palsy" that is a viral infection that affects the neurons of the facial muscles which can be a career ending illness. I have known people who recovered from Bell's and resumed playing and others who were unable to resume playing.

[afugate]

What exactly is dystonia? Muscle problem? I read that even famous musicians, both trumpet and trombone, can get it. Even string players? I think it must involve incorrect use of muscles?

Leif

It is a condition where you lose control over the muscles that create an embouchure. The full name is "Focal Dystonia". Sometimes you can use therapy to create alternative ways to control the embouchure and sometimes you can't. There is another condition known as "Bell's Palsy" that is a viral infection that affects the neurons of the facial muscles which can be a career ending illness. I have known people who recovered from Bell's and resumed playing and others who were unable to resume playing.

Even more specifically, the term is "Task-specific Focal Dystonia" since the lost off muscle control only happens when performing specific tasks.

Golfer's "yips" when putting are one form of Task-specific Focal Dystonia.

--Andy in OK

[tbdana]

If you have embouchure dystonia, a web forum is not the place to seek advice. Get with Doug or Dave. Talk to those who have/had it. Find an expert in the field. This isn't something to mess around with.

[BGuttman]

At one time Jan Kagarice was working with players suffering from Focal Dystonia, but I haven't heard mention of her in a number of years.

[tbdana]

At one time Jan Kagarice was working with players suffering from Focal Dystonia, but I haven't heard mention of her in a number of years.

She still is.

[kbryson]

At one time Jan Kagarice was working with players suffering from Focal Dystonia, but I haven't heard mention of her in a number of years.

Yes, I've been working with Jan, highly recommend. OP, Feel free to DM me if you have specific questions about her methods or process.