Clenching teeth

Vier · #1 02-17-2007, 06:17 PM

Does anybody know why I would be clenching my teeth without knowing it when I play? It doesn't happen to me normally, but when I play, all the muscles in my face tighten up. I know that I have to relax when I play and consciously think about it every time I set the bow to the strings, but I'm interested in knowing why it would happen to me only when I play.

bassist1962 · #2 02-17-2007, 07:19 PM

I don't know if it would be a 'concentration' thing or not. I have noticed some players that seem really relaxed when playing pizz, as soon as they touch the bow, this 'serious' look comes over their face until they put the bow down. I am one that does this because of concentration as I am still learnining (relearning?) arco. It may be the same thing with your teeth clenching.

mcnaire2004 · #3 02-17-2007, 07:24 PM

Yea it is the serious look. It happens to every one. If I think about it I can avoid it but I don't care enough to avoid the serious face. It's normal.

THE SAW · #4 02-17-2007, 07:36 PM

Young man, if you look at "Cloudermilk's" picture to your left, you will see the proper mouth position for bassists of all shapes and sizes.
Me, I have a problem of clenching another part of my anatomy, especially during solos.
Best of luck to you.....it's COLD outside........

kontrabass · #5 02-17-2007, 10:15 PM

Try chewing gum.

BGreaney · #6 02-18-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnaire2004

Yea it is the serious look. It happens to every one. If I think about it I can avoid it but I don't care enough to avoid the serious face. It's normal.

Deplorable advice, IMO. If it's something you obviously care so little about, you should probably keep it to yourself and let others who do care offer their advice. I used to be really bad about getting really tense in my face (clenching teeth, among other things). It's just a matter of getting yourself into the habit of letting yourself relax (easier said than done. I know). I found it really helpful to be able to practice in front of a mirror so I could look out of the corner of my eye. I found that once I also became more aware of maintaining regular breathing while playing, a lot of my other upper body tension kinda went away.

bassman1489 · #7 02-18-2007, 06:00 PM

at BUTI, we like to call it the "bass face"

don't worry about it, we all do it

Jeff Moote · #8 02-18-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGreaney

I found that once I also became more aware of maintaining regular breathing while playing, a lot of my other upper body tension kinda went away.

This is the most important answer in this thread. Your sound will improve immensely when you can relax. This is something I really have to work on, but at the advice of my teacher have stuck with and it has made a difference.

Marcus Johnson · #9 02-18-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kontrabass

Try chewing gum.

My man! That's been my MO for a long time.... and it works, until I see myself playing and chewing on some TV show.... then, not so much.

Alex Scott · #10 02-18-2007, 06:51 PM

Try Alexander Technique lessons and learn what other stupid stuff you do with your body, and learn to use your body better.

Dave Speranza · #11 02-19-2007, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Scott

Try Alexander Technique lessons and learn what other stupid stuff you do with your body, and learn to use your body better.

Yep.

hdiddy · #12 02-19-2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

My man! That's been my MO for a long time.... and it works, until I see myself playing and chewing on some TV show.... then, not so much.

I never chew gum when I play, and yet I still look like I'm chewing gum when I play. :\ I developed it when I was playing piano as a kid. You should see me when I'm playing video games, I'm a flailing mess. At least it's not so bad playing bass.

Vier · #13 02-20-2007, 01:57 AM

Awesome, thanks everyone.

mcnaire2004 · #14 02-20-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGreaney

Deplorable advice, IMO. If it's something you obviously care so little about, you should probably keep it to yourself and let others who do care offer their advice. I used to be really bad about getting really tense in my face (clenching teeth, among other things). It's just a matter of getting yourself into the habit of letting yourself relax (easier said than done. I know). I found it really helpful to be able to practice in front of a mirror so I could look out of the corner of my eye. I found that once I also became more aware of maintaining regular breathing while playing, a lot of my other upper body tension kinda went away.

I was just saying that it was normal. The best way to fix it is to relax your facial muscles when you practice. This can be tricky but is easily learned.

Don Higdon · #15 02-22-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Scott

Try Alexander Technique lessons and learn what other stupid stuff you do with your body, and learn to use your body better.

Yeah, I agree with that, sorta, kinda....

GriffithLea · #16 02-23-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Yeah, I agree with that, sorta, kinda....

Now, if we could just find someone that knows something about it.

Seriously, I do have one thing to add - performance experience and practice will generally aid relaxation.

BMason · #17 02-23-2007, 04:32 PM

I tend to flare my nostrils. It decreases wind resistance...

I don't know how these things develop, but they're certainly nothing to worry about.

bassist1962 · #18 02-23-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMason

I tend to flare my nostrils. It decreases wind resistance...

Standing a little too close to the horn section are we?

Wil Davis · #19 02-24-2007, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vier

Does anybody know why I would be clenching my teeth without knowing it when I play? It doesn't happen to me normally, but when I play, all the muscles in my face tighten up. I know that I have to relax when I play and consciously think about it every time I set the bow to the strings, but I'm interested in knowing why it would happen to me only when I play.

I wouldn't worry too much about it; I notice that whenever I play, everyone within earshot clenches their teeth…

- Wil

littlekatie · #20 03-01-2007, 12:10 PM

Tension in your face is very indicative of tension elsewhere so I'm not sure it's a good idea to write it off as the 'bass face' - maybe try some Alexander Technique lessons to learn how to totally relax yourself when you play and practice in front of a mirror to check you're not pulling faces. You don't need to move your facial muscles when you play so if you do, its just you working harder when you don't need to...which isn't good! Plus I'm sure it's not pleasant to be clenching your teeth, it must give you headaches and stuff so I'd get it sorted if I were you! x