Quote Originally Posted by Jharris View Post
I wouldn’t give up yet.

I developed focal dystonia 12 months ago, 6 months later could not play at all…. Tried everything, changing equipment, mouthpieces, how I sit etc.

Practiced everyday just starting notes, tried to do the exercises a tutor who specialises in Dystonia issues, very little if nothing in the way for 6 months… left the tutor, too expensive for so little return.

Finally able to get a doctors appointment, had a full battery of tests , and what showed up wasn’t directly related to the dystonia, so more tests are due. I am being sent to a neurologist at some point for a scan, but NHS waiting times mean I have to be patient.

But, in the last 2 weeks I have made the most amount of progress, after Icing and resetting my Vagus nerve.

Ice packs on my chest and back of neck for 15-20 minutes.

Within 24 hours the impact was apparent, able to produce and hold notes again them collapsing, breathing more in sync, range is back.

It’s not perfect but I think the issues left behind are from practicing so much with the dystonia low need to be unlearnt. So currently, starting notes cleanly is a struggle, tongue coordination has suffered it’s not quite sure where it needs to be, and coming down the register is harder than going up them so still flexibility issues, both of which can be explained by effectively not being able to practice properly, but now every day is starting to feel that much closer to being able to get back to band.

After months of being reduced to just one or two notes, these last two weeks have felt miraculous!

The tutor I had also said it was a full rebuild, and at this stage of my journey I am actually going to say it is more of a finding your way back to what you had rather than a fresh start entirely.

I am having to dissect problems in the minutiae, so I might spend most of an entire session just looking at flexibility between 2 notes, then recapping on what I already know I can do again, scales going up for example. To remind myself how far I have progressed.
Putting a silent mute in and doing very simple repetitive things whilst watching telly is my way of coping with the monotony of the process, but like I said I feel like I am finally on the right road and the Embouchure is almost feeling natural and normal again.

Don’t give up, not yet!
Thanks for posting this. I have neither time nor inclination to go through a rebuild. I have played, successfully, and it seems so far away as to be nonsensical.

I don’t want to have to play bottom C for half an hour before moving onto a middle G.

I have decided I need a musical pursuit that doesn’t fill me with despondency. I could play at a level where my playing would be suitable but I would hate the music, and my own lack of ability. My musical thoughts and ideas do not tally with my ability to articulate them and that is utterly intolerable.

I’ll will be going back to drums, and the E2 is up for sale. As is the Yamaha Silent Brass system and a huge archive of music.

Thanks for all your help and support. It’s been an education.