Rehabilitation Strategies for Brass Musicians with Focal Task-Specific Embouchure Dystonia

The purpose of this essay is to provide rehabilitation strategies for brass musicians with focal task-specific embouchure dystonia. These strategies are based on common techniques used by those who have experienced success retraining their embouchure. There will also be a discussion of pertinent scientific research regarding the focus of attention during the learning process. The goal of rehabilitation is to provide a means of reducing unnecessary tension, restore a healthy airstream, and allow unconscious movements in the embouchure to accommodate the airstream. This will allow brass musicians to focus on sound rather than body mechanics. This essay was inspired by my own struggle with focal task-specific embouchure dystonia