 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-06-21 02:42
The inside of my lower lip is raw, thanks to many rehearsals over the past week. Have any of you tried Brace Guard or a similar product, to protect your inner lip from getting cut, chafed, and chapped? Are you "sold" on it? Thanks everybody!
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Author: gkern
Date: 2014-06-21 02:47
That happened to me when I started playing again after for 53 years. Just kept at it, eventually got toughened up enough so not to bother anymore. It really hurt for quite a while, but I now can practice for over 3 hours with no problem.
Gary K
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2014-06-21 03:02
Buy "dental protection" or "tooth guard" on ebay. Cut a part of it that is big enough to cover the top of your lower front teeth. Warm it and form it.
The only problem is that these tiny bits of protection are experts in hiding themselves. Next time I will buy red or blue colored material.
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Author: MSK
Date: 2014-06-21 04:55
Folded up cigarette papers (from the tobacco store) or Ezo denture cushions cut to size work.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-21 05:09
My favorite fix is a 'thinnish' piece of leather. I get mine from the leather tag found on the back of blue jeans (latest acquisition is from a pair of Wrangler 'straight leg' jeans). The little leather patches I cut from this tab last for a year or more......tough stuff.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-21 13:10
Firstly, you are not talking, you are playing clarinet. But actually yes. Often in a rehearsal I'll let my little patch move off to the side for a moment while I rant, then I slide it back. This is another reason why I like the leather, it can be moved without losing it's shape.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Funfly
Date: 2014-06-21 14:33
This brings back memories for me.
When I was 15 years old I bought a clarinet and started to learn. I had a terrible time with sore and broken lips (I was a spotty teenager at the time I suppose) but finally I had to give up.
It was 60 years later that I decided to buy another clarinet and start learning again, wish I'd done it before but the memories of broken lips has always prevented me from doing this.
Martyn Thatcher Mature Student Cheshire U.K.
Clarinet - Yamaha SE Custom
Alto Sax - Yamaha YAS 480
Guitar - Yamaha FG 375-S
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Author: duder
Date: 2014-06-21 14:39
Hi Roxann
How long have you been playing?
I am not blowing my horn (pun intended) but I kind of am a dentist. I am thinking mechanical trauma either from the mouth piece pressing your lip against your teeth, whether the inside of your lip gets dry (because it isnt getting much saliva there being a lubricant and everything)
If you are an experienced player and this has just started then what has changed?is it your teeth (position), your saliva flow, mouthpiece ,reed type brand strength or lip posture?
I would be interested to know and I don't think I have the definitive answer but I thought I might ask
Nick
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-06-21 16:08
I play double-lip and use a small rectangle cut from an ancient genuine chamois swab over my upper teeth.
Unless I've really let things go, my lower lip, while abraded, is bearable.
In the long run, the problem is support. More wind, less embouchure.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2014-06-21 18:13
Unless somebody has really sharp teeth, maybe something is not working properly with the embochure or setup. Could you provide some background info about you and your playing experience Roxann?
Mark
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-06-21 18:36
I've been playing for the past 5 years after a 40+ year hiatus. I normally practice 1 1/2 hours a day. For two weeks, I have four different bands I'm rehearsing and performing with (and only for 2 weeks, thank goodness). After 4 hours of rehearsals a week ago is when my lip became raw. Unfortunately, I can either rest it or practice (which is what I should be doing). Another week of this hectic pace and all will return to normal. I just need a way to prevent the "injury" so I can continue practicing during those times I need to do a lot of playing. So, to answer your question (duder), it's a "too much time on the instrument too quickly" kind of thing.
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Author: duder
Date: 2014-06-22 13:44
Wow Roxann thats a lot of playing. I suppose you should try the methods the others recommend on this post, it is obviously a case of mechanical trauma/abrasion
I hope you get your Lip back soon!
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-06-22 16:42
Another good Idea that I've used for many years. Floral tape. I use White and you get it at a florist or a craft shop that sells imatation flowers. Very inexpensive. I cut off a piece to make three folds, you can make it as thick or thin as you want, one fold, six folds. it sticks to itself but doesn't use glue. I form it to my lower teeth and play. I use to same piece several time placing it in a little plastic case after playing but you can just make a new one each time. I carry several pieces cut and folded with me all the time. Also, after playing I always use a dash of Anbesol on the inside of my lip.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: MSK
Date: 2014-06-22 16:52
Yes you can talk with cigarette paper or wax denture cushion. The cigarette paper becomes soggy and conforms to your teeth pretty closely. The denture cushion is a little more in the way and may give you a minor lisp but is still manageable. You can even swallow water from a bottle.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-06-22 20:39
I never imagined that there would be so many different ideas on how to protect the inside of my lower lip! And I never imagined that some of you always use a "cover" for your teeth when you play. Glad to know the raw lip isn't unusual. I'm going to start with the florist tape, cigarette papers, and Levi's patch because I already have those on hand. One of them should be THE answer. Thanks everybody!
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-06-22 20:43
Duder...I have 9 shows in the next 7 days...then all can return to normal! However, after hearing that several folks ALWAYS use some sort of cushion over their lower teeth, I'm going to start experimenting with doing that myself. The place that gets raw is actually below where my teeth hit so I'm really not sure what's causing it other than over-use! Thanks for your help.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-06-22 21:33
My favorite has already been mentioned - EZO pads - but I imagine any of the suggestions will work - the person suggesting each one certainly thinks it does.
About using lip protection all the time: I don't normally need it for everyday practicing or rehearsals, but sometimes circumstances get more strenuous and I feel the abrasion and want it. The trouble is, by using a pad when I expect a problem, I find myself feeling uncomfortable when I go back to playing without one. So, to maintain consistency, I choose to use the EZO pad all the time. I just don't like the difference in feel between playing with and without, and I don't think it takes anything away from my playing to have the pad there.
Karl
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-06-23 01:25
The clarinetist sitting beside me at our first performance today said she always uses the type of pads you suggest. I'm glad you told me the name because I'd forgotten what it was. I tried using cigarette papers today...awful. They may have helped, but I just couldn't get used to them being in my mouth. My cigarette papers will, however, continue being used to soak up water that gathers on one particular pad. Thanks:)
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Author: ned
Date: 2014-06-23 05:12
Well this is sort of news to me...
I was always aware that some players used cushions of one type or another, but it seems that most of the responders to this post use them on a regular basis. If you need to then I guess you should.
I have always used a wide lay MP and hard reeds and the going can get tough occasionally, but I have never really felt the need for a cushion. By the way, I play acoustically in 6 piece NO jazz band and occasionally in a 10 piece brass band.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2014-06-23 13:23
No matter what you put on your teeth, the feeling will change. Your bite will be a tad more open. Just something to get used to.
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