Throat Tension

[evanbone1]

Ive noticed that I have a decent amount of tension in my throat, and it never feels fully open. Was just looking for some tips for getting rid of this problem, thanks!

[harrisonreed]

Are you doing anything to try to get a "dark" sound? Depending on the answer I might have an idea.

[evanbone1]

Are you doing anything to try to get a "dark" sound? Depending on the answer I might have an idea.

Yes having a dark sound has been something ive thought about a lot too much, maybe my jaw is too open?

[NathanSobieralski]

Are you studying with anyone currently?

[harrisonreed]

Are you doing anything to try to get a "dark" sound? Depending on the answer I might have an idea.

Yes having a dark sound has been something ive thought about a lot too much, maybe my jaw is too open?

This is just a guess: You may be compensating with your throat closing up or tensing if your jaw and tongue are too low because you're chasing after a dark sound.

There has to be resistance to speed the air up somewhere.

Try raising the back of your tongue up and keeping your jaw in a comfortable, neutral position and relaxing your throat.

[kbryson]

Check in on your breath control too. If your diaphragm is trying to push air out too forcefully it can cause throat tightening. I am not an expert on biology, but I have been told this is a physiological mechanism designed to protect your vocal chords from high air pressure that could damage them. Combined with Harrisons suggestions, and some more relaxed/deep inhales you should have to use any more force from your diaphragm than you do in conversation.

[robcat2075]

Ive noticed that I have a decent amount of tension in my throat, and it never feels fully open. Was just looking for some tips for getting rid of this problem, thanks!

What syllable are you tonguing with?



BTW, we should note that the diaphragm's only role in exhalation is to relax. The diaphragm does not act to more forcefully exhale. The diaphragm could act to retard exhalation but it is not able to cause exhalation.

[Cmillar]

Or..you could just have the wrong mouthpiece for your face and whatever trombone you're playing.

ie: too big, no resistance, too small, too much resistance, etc. etc.

Probably best to talk to a 'bone player who makes mouthpieces and also plays and knows what they're talking about, like Doug Elliott or Christian Griego.

[ssking2b]

Kleinhammer of the CSO had his students get a piece of plastic tube about an inch in diameter. Cut it to be 4-5 inches long. Insert this in your mouth as far as you can - right trill you gag. take a deep breath thru the tube. This will instantly show you how your throat should be open. You can't tighten up with the tube in your mouth. Kleinhammer would then have his students spit the tube out and immediately play warm-up stuff on that breath. Kleinhammer's students affixed a lanyard or string around the end of the tube not going into their mouth so when they spit the tube out it wouldn't hit the floor. Conversely, you can just take deep breaths in and out thru the tube to get that open throat feeling. REMEMBER - a relaxed throat when you play starts with a relaxed throat when you take your breath!
Dennis Bubert of the DF-W Symphony demonstrated this at the 2002 or 2006 ITF convention.

[harrisonreed]

I've always wondered about those pipes' efficacy. I thought it was to help get more air in. I've never seen people who use them stick it far down their throats, but I believe that. Somehow makes more sense than how I've seen them used.

I imagine the lanyard is to extract the pipe after you inevitably end up choking on it after sucking it into your windpipe?