Playing Saxophone with TMJDS

Silver Dragon

New Member
2
Hi, I have Teporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome and I have been playing for 6 years and it has only started in the past year. I am a year 10 student taking music for GCSE and have to do multiple performances. I was wondering if playing the saxophone would increase the problems with the joint long term because at the moment after I play I get short term pain.
I love playing the saxophone so much and its a real drag not playing at the moment and am willing to cope with the short term pain if there are no long term effects. Any feedback will be greatly welcome because I am currently finding it really difficult.
Thank you
Silver Dragon
 
Agree with Greg, but try and find a doctor specialising in musicians' problems.

Reading Playing Less Hurt by Janet Horvath will probably give you a lot more insight.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1423488466/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1416288002&sr=8-1&pi=SL75


Good luck with your sax journey. I guess something that needs a looser embouchure may help, which means bigger saxes, like the Bari. But... The pressure on the reed/mouthpiece should come from your lip muscles, not the jaw muscles, which will stress the joints. Can you move your chin up and down while maintaining even playing pressure on the mouthpiece?
 
Last edited:
I got TMJDS diagnosed twice.
Once I was about 16 and it was the first time I really played a lot, during a summer course.
Second time it was stress related, about eight years later. Painful both times.

When it happened first, I was recommended to stop playing for good.
Instead I paid more attention to my embouchure, relaxing it, and avoiding that back and forward movement some players do (I did). The main concept I had to overcome was the idea that "you must suffer to become a good player".
I did not have problems since then.

Under the medical point of view, you better see a doctor, rather than following advice on the internet.
In my case the main problem was actually contracting my jaw while sleeping. I used a "bite" for a short while.
 
A Dentist may well give you some good advice, as the problem could well rest within your oral cavity [mouth] 😉

TMJDS can be related to gum disorders, grinding of teeth, alignment of teeth, wearing a brace etc.

I am not suggesting any of these effect you though ...
 

Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

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