 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sanya
Date: 2005-02-08 22:56
I have been playing with braces since the 8th grade, and I swear, it is so hard on my embochure! It is very difficult to uphold a good tone because the braces hurt so badly that my lips loosen and then, of course, air leaks. This one time, I wanted to try double-lipping because I heard it works really well, but alas -- my braces killed me! But tomorrow, I am getting my braces taken off. YAY! Now, I am hoping that I can, without those dumb wires hurting me, make a better embochure and play better altogether. Do you think my braces removal will help? I sure hope so, because I really do want to try double-lipping.
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2005-02-08 23:45
There is an embouchure adjustment period to getting the braces off, just as there is to getting them on. Some of my students have compensated for braces (trying to avoid discomfort?) by setting their lower jaw differently (forward? upward?) after they get braces. It is noticable when they get the braces off in a more pinched tone and/or a bit of squeaking after they come off. This certainly doesn't happen in all cases, but I have seen it a number of times. Anyway, double lip practice might actually help that adjustment. As I remember it was after I got my braces off that my teacher had me do some double lipping.
Happy braces-free living!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-02-09 14:04
Be sure to wear your retainers, or whatever your orthodontist recommends after your braces are removed. Otherwise, you'll undo all the good pain you've endured with the braces and your teeth will quickly move out of line again due to the pressure of the clarinet mouthpiece.
I had no problem whatsoever when my braces were removed. I was also a drama student, and I had far more trouble "speaking" than playing my instrument. The retainer's plastic roof top made it quite difficult to pronounce words clearly--however, for a Texan English is a second language anyway.
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Author: clarispark
Date: 2005-02-10 13:28
Yes! Wear your retainers! I had braces for a year just after I started playing my clarinet. I didn't like wearing the retainer while I played, but thanks to the constant mouthpiece pressure, my teeth went out of line. It's not that hard to adjust to not having braces, but the retainer might take some time. Top teeth or bottom?
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