 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amanda S
Date: 2004-01-18 22:00
Ok...I know there have already been posts on how to adjust after getting your braces off but...my mom scheduled an orthodontist appointment ten days before solo and ensemble contest!!! I'm doing a solo AND ensemble. I don't want to let the members of my ensemble down, but I also DO NOT want to get a 2 on my solo. Mainly, I'm just worried about my tone. (theres not anything else to worry about, right?) Will ten days be enough to adjust? Is there any speed way of doing this?
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2004-01-18 23:30
I think there will be adjustment time, but you shold be fine to play for the contest. The plus side is that having the braces off is much less painful than having them put on.
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2004-01-19 00:33
Hi,
My daughter went through this. The problem is that the braces support the teeth as well as move them to their correct position. When they are removed the teeth are not as supported because the jawbone has to re-grow around the teeth. (This is why you will wear a retainer for about a year after you get your braces off.) So what does this mean? Well, there is a good chance that your two front teeth are going to hurt a little when you play your clarinet. How much varies person to person as well as exactly what work was done. So, what do you do about it? For my daughter I bought her one of those soft black mouthpiece cushions. It really helped her out a lot. The best thing in my opinion is to get your mother to move the appointment to some time after your solo (and get you the mouthpiece cushion). Two weeks is not a big deal. My daughter’s braces came off during the summer vacation so she lucked out. But, If she found herself in your situation, I would have rescheduled her appointment.
Regards
Mark
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Author: Amanda S
Date: 2004-01-19 01:56
Thanks for the info. We would reschedule(I already begged my mom) but we already scheduled two more appointments after that...So I guess I'll just have to practice loooong tones(how boring) and some other warmups.
One more thing...would it be better to practice a lot to get used to it, or wait until my teeth have settled some?
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2004-01-19 02:38
Amanda S,
I forgot about the sequence of 3 appointments. One to remove the braces, the second to take impressions for your retainer and the third to fit the retainer. It is a pain but they can be changed. If it were me, I would go ahead and change them anyway. After all the money I paid them to straighten my daughters teeth, I have a perfect right to move things around for my or my daughters convenience. Enough on that.
The first thing I would do is give your teeth a day to get over the loss of the braces. Then the next day try to play something to see how it feels. (Be carefull with the extreme notes (high /low)). This should give you an indication where you’re at. If you feel pain, a soft mouthpiece cushion will be needed temporarily (couple of weeks). They only cost about a buck anyway. Then you will need to practice in order to adapt to the change. Don't push too hard in the beginning.
Good luck
Mark
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-19 03:17
I wouldn't push too hard either at the risk of shifting your teeth to a "wrong" position. I'm no doctor though. Perhaps you can ask your orthodontist as well. (S)He might have some ideas.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: glin
Date: 2004-01-19 03:32
Amanda,
I don't recall having real difficulty adjusting after the braces were off. Maybe, a day or two to get used to it being off. Actually, I remember I got used to the plastic retainers I had to wear pretty easily with the clarinet. The bottom retainer, in my opinion, actually prevented the bottom teeth cutting into the lower lip and made it more comfortable.
With 10 days til your solo and ensemble, I think you'll adjust fine. Don't worry!
George
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2004-01-19 11:43
My experience with this was 35 years ago. I had to relearn things when the braces went on, and then relearn them again when they came off.
1) Plan ahead and start slowly. It will take some time to feel comfortable again.
2) Think about starting with a slightly softer reed than you normally use.
3) Work a lot on your Long Tones. Do Not try to play loudly yet - this will take time to get back.
4) It will help to cut your initial practice sessions into smaller chunks. For example, if you play for an hour every day, try doing it in three 20-minute segments.
5) Practice when nobody else is around if you don't want to share these moments with your family.
And, remember: You really do still know how to play the clarinet, even though your lip hasn't got the picture yet.
Good Luck!
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