eyes flinching when playing

[dhession2231]

Hey all,

I have been playing trombone for about 12 years. I went to school for music performance etc etc.

Recently I have noticed that in my playing, I have a tendency to blink, close, or twitch my eyelids when playing. This mostly happens above Eb4, when playing firm articulations, or when jumping from one note to another through a partial. This affects my playing for sure, and on days when I can make a meaningful connection to these muscles and stop them, my playing feels much more relaxed and locked in.

I have spent a lot of time recently at a mirror doing staring contests with myself practicing all of these things and focusing on having a relaxed upper face. The upper range seems more difficult somehow, probably because I am having to re-learn the feeling without my eyes involved.

Am I on the right track with this practice? Do you all have any advice to help me with this issue? Thanks!

[Doug Elliott]

Extra movements, whether in the chops or otherwise, are usually becaue you're NOT doing something you should be doing.

[dhession2231]

Thank you for this advice, I had not considred that before and will add that thinking into my practice

[johntarr]

Another approach would be to play with making the blinking or twitching movements more consciously and thus gaining control over them. Can you slow down and delay blinking, for example? If you find a certain pattern, say blinking when slurring up to a note, do it more slowly, even glissing if possible and change the blinking movements. Blink before you slur or start with your eyes closed and open them while slurring.

In this manner, you begin to learn what you’re doing and control it rather than starring and holding muscles still, which can be another form of tension.

Good luck!

[trombonedemon]

I've noticed that when people make mistakes there is a tell in the form of facial expression. I've fixed that by looking mad every time I've picked the horn up.