Drooling while playing...

[jugular]

I've recently developed the unfortunate habit of drooling while playing. It has consistently happened everytime I've practiced since Tuesday. Usually when I play my mouth is either closed or slightly open, and it's during the instances when it's slightly open that the drool starts spilling slowly from my mouth. I can quickly catch myself when it happens because my body naturally reacts to it, but it infringes upon my playing as I have to stop or risk having drool on the keys.

Has anyone else had annoying habits like these that happen completely sub-consciously?

[perprocrastinate]

I have to tell you that I am totally sorry for laughing when I read the title.

But I understand, playing the piano does that sort of thing (it may not be exactly that, but it does focus brain activity, and ignores a lot of other things).

I tend to forget to breathe, and sometimes find the oxygen deprivation to affect my playing. I also unconsciously scoot too close to the edge of the seat.

[lloyd_cdb]

I have to say, that is the oddest habit I've heard to date.  Seeing as it's been a few days, maybe you are just developing a cold which is changing your breathing patterns.  I'd honestly wait a bit longer before deciding it's a habit.

I personally started scrunching my face in odd ways (nothing too out of the ordinary from the weirdly eccentric pianists we have nowadays).  Over time it got more and more and my breathing changed because of it, but it was nothing that would cause me to slip on the keyboard   (couldn't help myself).

[jesc]

Happened to me twice during solo practice. It occurred in succession. I knew it could be a source of embarrassment that I willed myself to always close my mouth. After a few days of fighting it, it went away. Even when I'm not consciously keeping my mouth closed it never happened again.

I must be growing a thick skin in that I had no qualms sharing this.

[asianpianoer]

hahaha i have experienced this while sightreading....

[hfmadopter]

I've recently developed the unfortunate habit of drooling while playing. It has consistently happened everytime I've practiced since Tuesday. Usually when I play my mouth is either closed or slightly open, and it's during the instances when it's slightly open that the drool starts spilling slowly from my mouth. I can quickly catch myself when it happens because my body naturally reacts to it, but it infringes upon my playing as I have to stop or risk having drool on the keys.

Has anyone else had annoying habits like these that happen completely sub-consciously?

I'm in an intense workout of a spot in one piece I'm working on where I'm getting the dynamics down and it has a lot of deep loud bass going on. I find my tounge  being bit down on gently and almost out of my mouth during this intense stage. But I'm not drooling yet, just probably looks rather foolish if there was an on looker at that moment seeing the very tip of my tounge between my lips, lol ! The good new, while my jaw may be a bit tight during this my hands are not and so no muscle pain , yay !!

[lostinidlewonder]

Sticky tape your mouth closed or wear a bib.

I hum or think about random things, I was caught in a cycle doing my multiplication tables in my head while performing when I was younger... Lol

[scherzo123]

I've recently developed the unfortunate habit of drooling while playing.

I thought I was the only one...

[ajspiano]

I tend to forget to breathe, and sometimes find the oxygen deprivation to affect my playing. I also unconsciously scoot too close to the edge of the seat.

It will cause you to carry a kind of tension too, as well as deprive your brain.

Personally I sometimes find myself clenching my teeth in new work.

[j_menz]

Personally I sometimes find myself clenching my teeth in new work.

I find that talking to/swearing at/physically assaulting the score to be a great tension reliever in such circumstances.

[clavile]

Sometimes I rock the bench forwards so it's tipped onto the front two legs when practicing tedious sections(yes, I know HORRIBLE habit), and my mother fusses at me.

The title was quite catchy, I must admit!

I couldn't resist NOT looking at it!

[ajspiano]

I find that talking to/swearing at/physically assaulting the score..

Is that some kind of negotiation process?

(talking to)
J_menz: Score, you are frustrating me. Your continuing intention to remain challenging is causing me to feel the need to take some space from you.

(next day)
J_menz: * score, i've already discussed this * with you. This is * ridiculous, stop with your * and allow me a bit of relief. I'm leaving now, we'll talk tomorrow but if you havent adjusted your behavior by then..  well *  ...  * me.

...

(next day)
***score is torn in half.
***J_menz returns to playing fugues.

[j_menz]

Is that some kind of negotiation process?

Kinda. Though my scores learn pretty quick not to cross me. More like:

(talking to)
J_menz: Score, you are frustrating me. Your continuing intention to remain challenging is causing me to feel the need to take some space from you.

(next day)
J_menz: * score, i've already discussed this * with you. This is * ridiculous, stop with your * and allow me a bit of relief. I'm leaving now, we'll talk tomorrow but if you havent adjusted your behavior by then..  well *  ...  * me.

...

(next day)
***score is miraculously clear.
***J_menz returns to playing happily.


[/quote]

[ajspiano]

(next day)
***score is miraculously clear.
***J_menz returns to playing happily.

I guess it helps being a lawyer. You are no doubt well-versed as far as resolving conflicts in your favour.

Edit: - or perhaps rather, leaving your opponent cowering in submission after being subjected to a meticulous and calculated attack.

[outin]

I find that talking to/swearing at/physically assaulting the score to be a great tension reliever in such circumstances.

Cursing is good, since I tend to build aggression when something doesn't come easily...but I have to be careful, because I don't want to do that on my lessons...or punch the keys/score/teacher...

Kicking the piano also was not a good idea, my toes were a lot softer 

[ajspiano]

Cursing is good, but I have to be careful, because I don't want to do that on my lessons...

hahah I have a student who swears a fair bit, more or less every time he makes an error. I tend to think it results in him getting caught up and frustrated if it happens more than once.

another doesn't swear a lot, but openly encouraged me to feel free to swear at the first lesson..

[j_menz]

I guess it helps being a lawyer. You are no doubt well-versed as far as resolving conflicts in your favour.

Edit: - or perhaps rather, leaving your opponent cowering in submission after being subjected to a meticulous and calculated attack.

Though IRL, physical violence, or threats thereof, are rather frowned upon.  I can only hope my score collection doesn't organise itself a "score rights" lawyer!

[ajspiano]

Though IRL, physical violence, or threats thereof, are rather frowned upon.  I can only hope my score collection doesn't organise itself a "score rights" lawyer!

I was thinking rather in terms of a legal onslaught relating to the performers right to play musically when sufficient mindful practice has been dutifully undertaken...   as may be required in circumstances where a score is evading performance.

I guess it may be more of a civil matter..  where a judge may inform the performer that the score will only be expected to be played after certain practice has been completed..

[j_menz]

Cursing is good, since I tend to build aggression when something doesn't come easily...but I have to be careful, because I don't want to do that on my lessons...or punch the keys/score/teacher...

Kicking the piano also was not a good idea, my toes were a lot softer 

I usually reserve it for actual problems with the score. Recent examples: a score that felt it unnecessary to continue the key signature beyond the first page, and another that felt that the bottom of the five lines of the treble staff was extraneous to requirements for a few (quite a few) bars.

Or eccentricities of various composers in notation. Some of them don't know how lucky they are to be dead!

[j_menz]

I was thinking rather in terms of a legal onslaught relating to the performers right to play musically when sufficient mindful practice has been dutifully undertaken...   as may be required in circumstances where a score is evading performance.

I guess it may be more of a civil matter..  where a judge may inform the performer that the score will only be expected to be played after certain practice has been completed..

I'm more afraid of a legal onslaught relating to my right to play unmusically when sufficient mindful practice has been dutifully avoided...   as may occur in circumstances where a score is evading (mis)performance, usually by hiding under the nearest large piece of furniture. 

It is a civil matter, but it is me seeking habeus opus for the score to present itself for desecration.

[ajspiano]

but it is me seeking habeus opus for the score to present itself for desecration.

Perhaps during preliminary investigations and depending on the seriousness of the matter, one may start by locating any potential occurrence of criminal rhythm.

[outin]

^ So deterrence instead of punishment?

[ajspiano]

^ So deterrence instead of punishment?

indeed, in juvenile cases it may be sufficient to simply inform the score that you will count to 3..  (or 4...   repeatedly..)

[j_menz]

indeed, in juvenile cases - in may be sufficient to simply inform the score that you will count to 3..  (or 4...   repeatedly..)

Nonsense. Spare the rod and spoil the score, I say!

[outin]

indeed, in juvenile cases it may be sufficient to simply inform the score that you will count to 3..  (or 4...   repeatedly..)

If you inform the score beforehand, it will modify itself accordingly?

[ajspiano]

If you inform the score beforehand, it will modify itself accordingly?

As I understand it, some scores are able to adjust their behavior based on what they expect will actually happen. One must therefore follow through with particularly testy scores..  both counting and playing (often at the same time)..  this should do the trick most often, irregularities in their behaviour will soon even out as they will know you mean business.

[outin]

As I understand it, some scores are able to adjust their behavior based on what they expect will actually happen. One must therefore follow through with particularly testy scores..  both counting and playing (often at the same time)..  this should do the trick most often, irregularities in their behaviour will soon even out as they will know you mean business.

OK, thanks for the tip! I have mainly used more primitive means (like above mentioned cursing and punching) to try to force the scores to comply. That seem to work surprisingly often. I guess many scores are either cowards or just simply prefer to turn the other cheek...

[havisham]

My problem is quite the opposite.. when I am concentrating on a difficult part of a new piece I tend to bite and chew the inside of my cheeks.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I just noticed that when I'm playing something difficult, I stick my tongue out the side of my mouth and grin a litte

[hfmadopter]

I just noticed that when I'm playing something difficult, I stick my tongue out the side of my mouth and grin a litte

That was kind of like my way of doing things till I had this root canal done and came out of that with my mouth so numb I chewed up my lip on a bagel and burned it on hot coffeem never feeing a thing. Now I don't dare stick my tongue out it's so painful but the root canal went great !

[beethovenopus2no3movt2]

lmao, this is by far the best question I have ever heard. Yes, It has happened to me. This is because you are learning a particular measure and playing it over and over again, and very focused on memorizing it. Sorry to say, you notice yourself drooling. ha!