Klarinet Archive - Posting 000411.txt from 1999/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] lower lip pain
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 16:08:37 -0500

At 03:49 PM 2/10/99 -0500, you wrote:
>After long rehearsals or practice sessions, my lower lip is
>SO painful from where my teeth rest on the inside of it and
>the lip itself gets really irritated. I've tried putting
>a piece of tape over my teeth (this irritates the inside of my mouth)
>and I've tried those 'teeth guards' but they don't leave me with
>much saliva. Any suggestions? What about the irritation and
>swelling from the reed rubbing against your lip for hours at a time?

Erin,

A student of mine gave me a great idea that I have used for years. Go to
the athletic supply store where football teeth/mouth guards are sold. Ask
for the junior size (clear) - take it home, cut it into little squares, use
a pair of tweezers and dip the square into boiling water for a few seconds.
Flatten it out like an ameoba, and continue to dip/flatten until it is the
right thickness. Then, dip it again and this time mold it over your teeth.
A few dips and molds later with the same piece and it will be centered and
correct. Then, trim the edges, dip again and mold until the edges are
smooth. The guard will last for YEARS - but occassionally need to be cleaned!

______
Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director, Concert Band/Symphonic Winds/Titan Band
Advisor, Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University
Office: (309) 556-3268
Fax: (309) 556-3411

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