Posted by Steve Dedman on August 23, 2002 at 14:19:31:
In Reply to: Re: Saw Jaw posted by Tony Z. on August 22, 2002 at 09:14:13:
The only tension above the shoulders should be just below the corners of your mouth. If you put the tension IN the corners, it's likely to put your oral cavity in the wrong position and inhibit some of your flexibility. Any other tension is generally negative, and will have an adverse effect on your sound. In the situation of a sore jaw, I would first look at where the tension is. If it's IN the corners, you are probably trying to force your oral cavity into the necessary position for the L L L notes, but your corners don't allow it. So you end up fighting yourself, and don't have a prayer of relaxing.
Get thee to a private instructor.
SD