Klarinet Archive - Posting 000832.txt from 2001/10

From: Tom.Henson@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] FW: Speaking of "Returning Clarinetists"....
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 23:56:15 -0400

Magnus,

When I was about 12 years old, I chipped one of my front teeth in an
accident. It was badly chipped and I was very upset that it would =
affect the
way I played clarinet. I thought that I would have to give clarinet =
playing
up altogether.

I did go to a dentist right away since it was chipped so badly that the
nerve was exposed and it hurt. I did play the clarinet a couple of =
times
until I was able to see a dentist, but I don't remember it being a =
problem
of only playing on one tooth. It did feel strange though as I remember.

The dentist did a root canal on the damaged tooth to take out the nerve
since it could not be repaired, and then put a cap on the tooth. I =
explained
to him that I played clarinet and he assured me that both front teeth =
would
be as even as he could get them. I had the cap replaced later in life =
while
in the military and at no cost to myself.=20

I have not had any problems with this tooth affecting my clarinet =
playing,
then or now. I do feel that you would benefit from having a dentist =
look at
this and perhaps see if he can do something so that both teeth contact =
the
mouthpiece, but this is only an opinion. Perhaps having two teeth on =
the
mouthpiece will create a little bit better balance and allow you to =
gain
more control with your embouchure. I would ask you if one side of your
embouchure has developed a little differently than the other side to
compensate for this. This would be a clue as to possible improvements =
that
might be gained.

Perhaps that best response would be from some of those that teach young
students that may have encountered a similar situation with only one =
tooth
contacting the mouthpiece.

My tooth was too badly chipped to leave it as it was, evidently yours =
in
minor in comparison. Sounds like you played too much hockey when you =
were
young.

Tom Henson

Magnus said: << About teeths...I have a slightly problem with my upper
teeth, one of them has a small piece
cut off. The result is that only one teeth bites in the mouthpiece, if =
you
know what I mean.
I@-----.

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