Embouchre with nerve damage

[Willys]

It's been interesting reading through and catching up on many things tuba related. I recently resumed playing after a 30 year break. Amongst lots of age-related changes, I also now have multiple sclerosis with some permanent facial paralysis (think mild Bell's palsy). Anyway, I've discovered that I now really struggle to form notes higher than C or D on the staff. I'm curious if anyone here has worked through something similar and may have some tips or tricks to offer. Or, even if you haven't dealt with something similar, I'm open to suggestions.

[Pauvog1]

I don't have any advice, but maybe a lesson with someone with lots of experience with embouchure building/rebuilding would be helpful. Doug Elliot might be a good person to reach out to.

[tubatodd]

It's been interesting reading through and catching up on many things tuba related. I recently resumed playing after a 30 year break. Amongst lots of age-related changes, I also now have multiple sclerosis with some permanent facial paralysis (think mild Bell's palsy). Anyway, I've discovered that I now really struggle to form notes higher than C or D on the staff. I'm curious if anyone here has worked through something similar and may have some tips or tricks to offer. Or, even if you haven't dealt with something similar, I'm open to suggestions.

DISCLAIMER: My experience/situation is by NO MEANS the same as yours...

...but, I just got back into playing after a multi-year hiatus. My immediate playing results at first were quite disappointing. What I have found for me was establishing a routine and being patient. My routine starts with buzzing scales on the mouthpiece with my tuner playing a drone and working chromatically up and down. I typically start on G and buzz a G major scale and arpeggio. Then I set my tuner to F# and do the same. I work down to C. The tuner playing the drone keeps me honest and makes sure I am buzzing accurately. By this point I can REALLY feel the blood in my lips. Then on the horn, I play a C major scale (I'm on a CC tuba) in whole notes, then 2 halfs, to 4 quarters.....down to 16ths. I then move down to B major and so on.

I've found FOR ME, these simple scalar exercises have had a huge impact on consistency and tone production. After playing these scales, I move to Bordogni etudes. I play the first etude and focus on more than "am I getting the notes" out, but "am I playing phrases" and "does this sound like music?" I don't recall playing Bordogni etudes in college, but they are excellent and VERY musical.

Best of luck to you and please post your progress.

[Tom C]

Frequent pauses to let the muscles rest during a practice session can be very helpful. Continuous playing without a break wears the muscles all the way out, and then only a substantial rest period will help.

[donn]

[ Disclaimer: I have no idea what I'm talking about. But since I don't yet see anything here about it from the usual suspects ... ]

There's a relationship between air flow and lip tension, that I sort of suspect can vary and still produce a satisfactory outcome. I mean, you can change your embouchure technique, if you change your air flow at the same time. I don't know this for a fact, just heard rumors.

[bloke]

I really admire people who manage to play musical instruments in spite of huge challenges. I admire you, and I admire a nearby friend who had to have all of his teeth pulled...ALL of his teeth pulled. He was really depressed and was getting ready to sell all of his stuff, but he's now telling me that he's figuring out a way to play. (When he can afford to, he's going to have some implants put in the front, and go from there.)

[Willys]

[ Disclaimer: I have no idea what I'm talking about. But since I don't yet see anything here about it from the usual suspects ... ]

There's a relationship between air flow and lip tension, that I sort of suspect can vary and still produce a satisfactory outcome. I mean, you can change your embouchure technique, if you change your air flow at the same time. I don't know this for a fact, just heard rumors.

I've been playing around with this some. So far, what works the best for hitting notes causes my right eye to blur, water, and squint. So... then I'm at a loss as to what's on the page in front of me.

I'm keeping after it though. Recognizing things don't come aa quickly at this age and in this condition as they used to.

[Willys]

I really admire people who manage to play musical instruments in spite of huge challenges. I admire you, and I admire a nearby friend who had to have all of his teeth pulled...ALL of his teeth pulled. He was really depressed and was getting ready to sell all of his stuff, but he's now telling me that he's figuring out a way to play. (When he can afford to, he's going to have some implants put in the front, and go from there.)

Many years ago (15ish), when I was first diagnosed, a friend whose mom battled MS said "don't stop doing. When you can't do something anymore go buy what you need to keep doing it." That single piece of advice has saved my sanity (and pride) several times.

One of my challenges is cognitive decline (not that I had much to spare anyway) and the neuropsychologist suggested I work on learning new things. I figured a new attempt at an old thing would be a fruitful endeavor. So far it has- just need to sort out this quirky range thing.

[Mary Ann]

Knowing that there are sometimes very strong reactions to input from non-sanctioned sources of alternative information, I will just put the link here rather than going on about it, and the OP can do with it as he pleases.
https://hormonesmatter.com/neuropathy-m ... magnesium/

[Willys]

Knowing that there are sometimes very strong reactions to input from non-sanctioned sources of alternative information, I will just put the link here rather than going on about it, and the OP can do with it as he pleases.
https://hormonesmatter.com/neuropathy-m ... magnesium/

Thank you! Very big on natural "medicine" but I hadn't heard of this.

[JESimmons]

I had a bout of Bell's Palsy about 20-years ago. I still have some numbness in spots on my face, but seem to have my embouchure working. I found facial exercises online and did them multiple times a day for months. When I picked up my horn again, I did lots of long tones and lip slurs.