Klarinet Archive - Posting 000287.txt from 1997/04
From: Mark Charette <charette@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Lip cushion? (long answer)
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 08:56:57 -0400
The Crew wrote:
> I've read in the past short while on Klarinet a suggestion on using some
> kind of material to form a cushion for the lower teeth so they won't
> hurt the lower lip etc. The material had something to do with "sports"
> and was put into hot water and then on teeth to form a "perfect fit." I
> looked through the mail still on my machine, serched the archives (it
> was before the "last updated on" date), and couldn't find it. I spent
> close to forty minutes trying many search strings, but still couldn't
> find it. If anyone still has this article, please do e-mail it to me,
> as my semi-crooked lower teeth are hurting my lips. My teacher
> suggested I use a piece of paper, which does work, but I'd like to try
> that material.
Here's part of the page from sneezy
http://sneezy.mika.com/clarinet/Study/PlayLonger.html:
--------
Or use lower lip protection, three alternatives:
Lynn Thomas suggests:
"Don't buy Lip-Ease! Buy Parafilm-M from Fisher Scientific. You pay
big bucks for the Lip-Ease, get a few sheets and go through it
quickly.
With the Parafilm you get a huge roll which will last you years and
years and keeps on going...for only about $20, you'll get a
lifetime
supply.
We've had this discussion going off and on here - and I found out
that
Baxter Scientific in CA has it cheaper than Fisher Scientific
(offices all
over the country). Baxter Scientific 1-800-234-5227
Someone asked me what Parafilm M is: It's a plastic film, about
half
the thickness of an index card, which labs use to seal containers,
beakers, etc. I fold it in half, and use double thickness. It molds
directly to the shape of your teeth. The roll is about 4-5" wide
(and
umpteen million feet long, like I said, I've had it forever). You
cut
pieces to fit from that."
Or, as Rick Faria recommends:
"Have you ever seen those teeth guards that boxers (or football
players, or karate-types) use? They are these big U shaped clear
plastic things that they bite down on to guard all of their teeth.
You
custom fit them to your mouth like this: they are dipped into
boiling
water for about 30 seconds, and then you stick it into your mouth
and
bite down on it. The softened plastic then forms to the shape of
your
teeth. When you feel it is the right shape, you dip it into cool
water,
and it holds it's shape. Then you have a tooth guard custom fitted
to
your own teeth!
Now, needless to say, you do not need a guard for all of your
teeth,
upper and lower, so what you do is this. Buy a guard in a sports
supply store, and cut off a small chunk (about the size of a dime).
Boil
that, and smoosh it onto your lower teeth with your fingers (you
have
to work fast!). When it is the right thickness, dunk it into cold
water,
then cut off the excess with a pair of scissors. Make a bunch this
way,
and you will find one that fits exceptionally well.
This is great, because: It will fit snugly to your teeth (you wont
even
notice that it is there); It is soft and very comfortable; You can
have it
cover as many, or as few teeth as you like; They will last forever!
One mouthguard will make many, many small teeth guards. It's cheap
and easy. And, they are hygenic (you can brush them with your
toothbrush, or dunk them in Listerine)"
Yet another idea from Stephanie K. Nelson piglet@-----.com:
I have a suggestion that may be helpful to clarinet players whose
lips
tire out, or hurt from pressure. Instead of paying $20 for a roll
of
strictly "lip protectors": try denture pads, cut up into pieces
that cover
the bottom front two teeth. These cost about $3, and work great!!!
I
use the EZO brand of denture pads.
--
Mark Charette "How can you be in two places at once
charette@-----.com when you're not anywhere at all?"
http://sneezy.mika.com/clarinet - Firesign Theater
