Posted by Mary Ann on August 12, 2003 at 16:57:04:
In Reply to: Re: Shoulder Tension posted by some ideas... on August 12, 2003 at 14:46:01:
I don't play euph all that much, but I did play it for two hours last night in a romping sight read of a rehearsal. I am so small that it sits on my lap, so I don't have to hold it up. I do, however, hold it in place with my left hand, just like I do my tubas. The right just sits on top of the valves, allowing my right arm to be relaxed. It may not be "correct" to operate the valves with the 2nd joint of the fingers, but that is the only way I can do it and not have my hand and arm hurt.
I have had shooting pains in the middle of my back from playing horn, though, and I found that I was leaning forward to play it, causing undue tension in my back. Learning to sit up straight (and not resting the horn on my leg) was the fix for that one. I also will occasionally just go lie flat on the floor for a few minutes, if things start to get out of hand, to relax that part again.
MA