I have been studying shakuhachi for a little less than two years. I have
been making progress very slowly. (which means reasonably so by shakuhachi
standards so I have come to learn)
During the process of going through this initial period of absorption I have
undergone several strange periods of pain and discomfort.
My first problem was sudden periods of dizziness and near- fainting speels.
This has become fairly uncommon.
Then for a while my right hand and arm went through periods of pain and
sorness - but this passed after awhile. (I now use my mouse with my left
hand only.)
Now here is my newest experience with discomfort in playing shakuhachi and
wanted to know if anyone has had an experience like this.
For a while now my biggest challenge was trying to get my high octave in
pitch. (No surprise I was, and am still, half of the time very flat.)
Using a pitch meter I discovered that I need to be holding my head much
higher, and I need to purse my lips much tigher to get the right pitch.
Good news: with effort I manage to do this. Not for very long periods but I
get the idea of where I need to be to get right pitch.
Bad news: I now have been pursing my lips so tight that I have been causing
myself a good deal of soreness and even outright pain in my front teeth. By
pursing my lips so tight for two hours or so each daily practice session I
think I might even be shifting my teeth as if I had braces or something
pulling back on them. I have been feeling this now for about a month or so.
It is not serious pain, but it is distracting.
Anyone go through something like this? Any advice to offer? I guess I should
speak to my dentist, but I am loath to have to confront a doctor's advice to
stop playing shakuhachi.
thanks
Stav
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