Hi Jumpin',
I have some lower back and neck issues and like you I came back to playing several months ago after many years of no regular practice.
You have received some good info so far. The Picture on "Jolle's" post above is a good example of blowing straight into the mouthpiece. My first six years of playing in school I played with the neck angled downward and was advised to correct that immediatly by my current teacher. It was a painful process and increased the pressure of the neckstrap on my neck as well as the right thumb, wrist and forearm. ha! I tried the harness, used a wrist brace, which helped the wrist but brought on the need for a thumb brace. ha! Again. I couldn't tell you when, two months or so later, I began forgetting to put the braces on (I stopped using the harness early on).
I have a weekly lesson and practice 2-3 Hrs. every day and no longer have any discomfort. Maybe a little bit of a tired neck if I don't take a break every 45-60 min. For me I apparently adapted. I play mostly sitting down and also play a Tenor.
Right now my neck is uncomfortable from looking at this screen too long!
Best of luck! Oh, is that a snake or a baby rattler you're a Jumpin? ;<)
.
I have some lower back and neck issues and like you I came back to playing several months ago after many years of no regular practice.
You have received some good info so far. The Picture on "Jolle's" post above is a good example of blowing straight into the mouthpiece. My first six years of playing in school I played with the neck angled downward and was advised to correct that immediatly by my current teacher. It was a painful process and increased the pressure of the neckstrap on my neck as well as the right thumb, wrist and forearm. ha! I tried the harness, used a wrist brace, which helped the wrist but brought on the need for a thumb brace. ha! Again. I couldn't tell you when, two months or so later, I began forgetting to put the braces on (I stopped using the harness early on).
I have a weekly lesson and practice 2-3 Hrs. every day and no longer have any discomfort. Maybe a little bit of a tired neck if I don't take a break every 45-60 min. For me I apparently adapted. I play mostly sitting down and also play a Tenor.
Right now my neck is uncomfortable from looking at this screen too long!
Best of luck! Oh, is that a snake or a baby rattler you're a Jumpin? ;<)
.
