Klarinet Archive - Posting 000221.txt from 2007/07

From: Susan Macy <suemacy@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Playing with braces
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:59:39 -0400

I had braces while I was playing in a professional orchestra in my
30s, in fact I won an audition during this time. The problems I had
were that I had much less stamina. I got tired really fast and I had
more trouble holding out long notes and phrases. I used wax and that
was a big help. I found it hard to not leak out of the side of the
mouthpiece while having braces. Sometimes a little wire was not cut
short enough and the sides of my mouth would hurt. I found it was not
very much fun to play while I had the braces. It was way too much
work and I did practice regularly and stay in shape. I think a lot of
the problems vary from person to person depending lip shape. For me
my lips just couldn't cover the braces and reach the mouthpiece
comfortably. Possibly people with larger or longer lips than myself
would have an easier time of it.

But wax helps. Use lots.

Sue Macy

At 03:32 PM 7/25/2007, you wrote:
>Hi everyone,
>I have a tertiary student about to have braces put on the bottom
>teeth. If someone has experience as to how this might affect her
>playing and any possible solutions I would appreciate your ideas.
>Thanks
>Brian Catchlove

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