PS I study Alex. tech as part of my course so I could give you some pointers on it if it's something you're interested in doing. It really helped me anyway! Plus you might want to get a couple of books about it, I'll ask my prof which ones are good. Is alex tech not so widespread over there or something - we study it as part of our undergraduate course!
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Double Bass Clenching teeth
- Thread starter Vier
- Start date
its important that you don't clench your teeth because doing so will cause tension throughout your body.
the easiest way to avoid this is to stick your tongue out.
most professional athletes have slack jaws (check it out the next time you watch a baseball game) and many stick their tongues out.
the easiest way to avoid this is to stick your tongue out.
most professional athletes have slack jaws (check it out the next time you watch a baseball game) and many stick their tongues out.
This is backwards. Tension throughout the body is not the result of clenching the teeth. It is the cause of clenching the teeth.
This is absurd.
you're correct too - they form a vicious circle of tension. not only that, clenching can lead to a medical disorder called TMJ (temporomandibular joint) when this occurs pain can radiate up to your temples and down your neck and into your arm - very bad situation.
Don,
I have studied yoga, and a little pilates as relaxation techniques over my lifetime. How is the Alexander Technique different from these, or is it a dirivitve of them?
I have studied yoga, and a little pilates as relaxation techniques over my lifetime. How is the Alexander Technique different from these, or is it a dirivitve of them?
AT is not a derivative of anything. It was developed by FM Alexander's self-examination and experimentation when no physician anywhere in Britain could explain, let alone cure, his loss of voice on stage.
It is not a thing to do; it is a way of doing anything.
It is learned only experientially; intellectual constructs are not possible.
To the degree that words can be at all helpful in the absence of experience, these two links correctly state what's going on:
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The catch-22 is that in the absence of the experience, true understanding is not possible. I wish it were otherwise; it would be easier getting students.
OK I have read many good points here . I'll only confuse the topic more now I'm sure.
First of all, I don't think you should worry nor concern yourself with the "why" it is happening but more on the "how" and how muchit is happening.
You realise that it is going on and pretty much when it is going on. This is good. Most people go through life doing all sorts of things which can be labeled as " parasitic " movement. Sort of like a tic. It has been said that this type of movement is harmful and unneccessary. I don't qutie agree. we can learn much from this type of movement. Usually it is a form of holding that promotes a feeling of saftey. It is like the body is trying to do something well and tries very hard to accomplish it so it just does more of whatever it is already doing. Sometimes the body just gets this progammed in to the brain and it becomes a habit. Only this habit is deemed bad because it is accompanied by tension and negative labeling.
If the grimacing is just what you do and it doesn't affect your playing than I would'nt worry about it. Many great performers do all sorts of weird forms of facial contortions and they are actually copied by others.
A very simple solution is to just stop doing it. Spend practice time only on this for a while. Use a mirror. play slowly, listen for the grimacing. Then after a while you will find your own way.
Janos Starker had a great way to combat this. He suggests that one puts an unlit ciggarette betwee the teeth while practicing. You should be able to notice the clenching. Only problem is that you may want to light the smoke .
Feldenkrais, Alexander method, whatever , just pay attention.
