Posted by Doug Elliott on December 18, 2003 at 09:37:34:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Teaching and reality posted by no name on December 18, 2003 at 01:15:39:
What I'm getting at is that "dystonia" isn't a problem, it's a symptom. The problem is incorrect form for the individual, combined with a large amount of playing using that incorrect form. It's not necessarily the angle or the pressure. "Dystonia" doesn't affect people who play occasionally because the time factor isn't there. Other things, like the "attack problem" you refer to, are also just symptoms of incorrect form, and yes they become mental issues, but again, fixing symptoms doesn't address the real problem.
Trumpet and trombone players have a different relationship with their instrument. We're holding it in relation to our bodies, and it's easy to do the things we need to do to find what's right, embouchure-wise. Tuba (and euphonium) players have a completely different relationship to their instrument, because it's much more fixed in position, and nearly impossible to make the changes that may be necessary. From a learning standpoint, a tuba player may never find the most efficient embouchure, because the instrument is holding you. Also, it's much more possible to play well but still incorrectly on tuba because of the bigger mouthpiece.