Hello everyone,
I'm a beginner saxophone player. I've played guitar for most my life but the saxophone is my dream instrument.
I attempted to sget to it three times and ended up with facial paralysis every.
The first time I practiced intensly, mostly with the mouthepiece for about 2 hours 30 at a time (on a row) twice a day. (Between 4 and 5 hours of practice per day)
After 3 months of daily practice, I got my first face paralysis and was diagnoced with Bell's palsy. Half my face was completely out. Eyebrow and lip down, left eye wouldn't close. Tertifying. I had to stop playing the saxophone until full recivery.
A year after, I got back to it. Same daily practice program, mostly with the mouthpiece. Two months and i got another paralysis on the other side of my face. Mild one, as I realised earlier this time. Had yo stop again.
Lately I got back to it and it took onely 2 weeks for the same thing to happen.
I asked my doctor if my paralysis could be provoked by the saxophone practice? He said it can't be. But I still think there's a clear correlation here.
What do you think? Did anyone go through the same experience ? Can the saxophone playing be the cause of this?
Thank you in advance for any help. I'm feeling very lost and scared of having to abandon the saxophone.