The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: ChopinLiszt
Date: 2015-07-22 00:17
I just had all four wisdom teeth extracted on July 9. The doc said that it would probably be a week until I could play again. Although the swelling was down and I thought everything was healed 7 days later, when I went to play clarinet again, I simply couldn't. There was way too much internal pressure in my mouth on my incisions, and I was sore the rest of the day. Today, 11 days after my operation, I was able to play for the first time. I could only go for 10 minutes before I began to get a headache, but there was only minor discomfort while playing. I'm guessing I won't be able to do my normal 1.5-2 hour practice sessions for another week or so, but the time I'll be physically be able to play will gradually increase.
The one big thing I noticed with my playing after the operation was that even though my technique and fingers were still there on my studies and my embouchure felt relatively the same, my tone was a lot thinner than it was before the removal. It wasn't necessarily bright or tinny, but just thin. There wasn't any muscle to it.
Do you have any suggestions to get myself to back where I was with my tone pre-surgery as fast as possible? I'm planning on doing 10-20 minutes of long tones a couple of times every day for the next week or so, with one before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I may run through some of the repertoire I'm working on and some technique or something, but I need to get my tone back to where it was very quickly. I have rehearsals for 4-5 different ensembles kicking up again and starting lessons with a new teacher in a month or so, and I need to be ready for it.
Thanks!
Matthew
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Carmelo
Date: 2015-07-22 06:39
Hi Matthew,
I would not rush getting back into playing just yet. Having 4 wisdom tooth extractions is like major trauma to the mouth. Don't worry once you get your strength back you will play better than ever. 2 years ago I had a molar and wisdom tooth extracted and that was after I was diagnosed with TMJ, so talk about pain. It took a while for me to recover. Take all the time you need to heal and your mouth will thank you for it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-07-22 07:40
I agree, take your time, healing properly is more important. I had the same procedure done a couple of years ago, and it was two weeks before I could even begin to play comfortably. Once I was fully healed, my tone was the same as it was before.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2015-07-25 00:28
I just had two of them removed and began playing about 5 days after for a short time for a few days. Never noticed any change of discomfort. Everyone is different. I've had students that were normal after a week and some that took several weeks. I've heard of people playing full concerts in a few days. No two are alike. It should all come back to you in a while. Don't forget, you do have a little more room now in your oral cavity so you may have to learn to make some slight adjustments.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: as9934
Date: 2015-07-25 05:47
Yeah I didn't play till about 1-2 weeks after mine came out so just hold off and when your ready hit the scales!!
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wind Ensemble
Buffet E11 clarinet , Vandoren Masters CL6 13 series mouthpiece w/ Pewter M/O Ligature, Vandoren V12 3.5
Yamaha 200ad clarinet, Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, Rovner ligature
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: OverpoweredClarinet
Date: 2015-07-27 03:23
Just got 4 of mine out July 9th and I could play with no discomfort starting the 24th! As everyone else has been saying, just give it some more time to heal and you'll be back to normal before you know it!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|