 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussiegirl
Date: 2005-05-05 12:09
Ive been practicing pretty hard for my upcoming technical exam on clarinet, and my bottom lip has all of a sudden ballooned out! Its slowly starting to go down now, but at the start of the week it was about as fat inside my mouth as it was outside. My teacher has told me not to play at all(im fingering scales without actually playing at the moment) and to let it get better by itself, so im doing that now, but has anybody else come accross this problem? Does it keep recurring? Is there anything else you can do to stop it doing this? Ive been icing it too which helps it being sore but not the fatness of it all.
Thanks!
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-05 12:50
Try putting something on your teeth when you play, like Tally Ho. Also, do a search here, there's HEAPS of info, it's been discussed quite a lot.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-05-05 12:55
Aussiegirl wrote:
> Ive been practicing pretty hard for my upcoming technical exam
> on clarinet, and my bottom lip has all of a sudden ballooned
> out!
If you changed to a new reed just before this happened there is the possibility of an allergic reaction to the reed.
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-05-05 16:42
Aussiegirl,
I agree with Mark. An allergy specialist might be able to confirm it for you, or you could switch to plastic reeds and see if that solves the problem.
In my case it's the upper lip that occasionally swells quickly to double normal size, unless I take an over-the-counter (i.e., non prescription) drug at the first sign. My doctor was unable to identify the allergy positively.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-05-05 20:39
The allergy possibility should be considered. .....and might be related to some herbicide. Other than that wouldn't your first impression be that the lip can be overworked just like any other body part ....
Bob Draznik
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Author: bflatclarinetist
Date: 2005-05-07 02:13
Oh gosh, I can't imagine playing with a synthetic reed I might as well just quit playing the clarinet if I get allergic to the reeds.
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Author: Steve B.
Date: 2005-05-07 15:48
I would try a different brand of reed. Some reeds like Gonzalez and Zonda are supposed to be organically grown.... whatever that means.
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-05-07 15:55
Steve B,
It is my understanding that "organically grown" means without herbicides and pesticides and on land that has been certified free of these.
Hans
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-05-07 16:11
hans wrote:
> It is my understanding that "organically grown" means without
> herbicides and pesticides and on land that has been certified
> free of these.
In the US, the 2002 USDA regs state
"Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. ... Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; petroleum-based fertilizers or sewage sludge-based fertilizers; bio-engineering; or ionizing radiation."
Notice "emphasize" and "most conventional pesticides". That's legalese for "it doesn't really mean much, does it?" And that's for organic food. For non-food items (such as cane) we have to trust the producers/manufacturers claims.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-05-07 19:08
Yes, double talk indeed since the sewage sludge-based fertilizer "Milorganite" is probably the pre-eminent renewable resource.....and has been used since 1926 and is about as "organic" as it gets.
Bob Draznik
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-05-08 15:02
To add to the confusion, "organic" chemistry is the basis for many herbicides and pesticides;e.g., take a couple of benzene rings, some carbon, and chlorine, and voila: DDT (dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane).
Hans
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-05-09 00:07
Let's put it in perspective.
She probably started practicing more than usual and her lip is really sore and swollen.
Charlie Neidich used to soak his sore lip in a baking soda and water solution.
She didn't say that she switched reeds, and as an exam is on the horizon, I'd doubt that she would at this late juncture. Maybe something in her reed (the same reeds she has been using??) is causing an allergic reaction, but I doubt it.
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2005-05-09 04:16
This is a problem that I have too. Here's something that I found helps me. Quit eating chocolate! Also, I keep Chap Stick handy and smear it all over my lower lip when I think of it. Last week, when I hadn't been practicing much my lower lip was swollen anyway, but, I had been hitting the chocolate due to nervous pressure on the job. Then the other day I practiced for about 3 hours straight, no lower lip problem the next day. I never thought this could be associated with reeds. I have always used Rico, and just recently got a batch of samples from Gonzales. But, I do know for sure that chocolate causes me to have all kinds of mouth problems, inside and outside. Drat! Love those Hershey bars. But, they are a big no-no for me.
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Author: Aussiegirl
Date: 2005-05-09 07:51
Hmmm thats interesting about the chocolate....but it tastes so good! I dont think ive been eating any more than i have usually tho. I havent changed brands of reeds recently, so if it was an allergic reaction it must have just been on those few reeds...its gone down pretty much now, im just a bit reluctant to go back to the practice that i was doing as it put me out of action for a week, and another week out of playing will kill this exam! Thanks to all though!
Fiona
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-05-09 12:47
Even something as minor as changing the laundry detergent brand can have an adverse affect on allergies.
But do remember this - Women pay $$$ for lip injections to get what we get for free by playing the Clarinet.....
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2005-05-09 15:14
Fiona.............practice a little bit at a time when you start back. Just start with something like 15 minutes and keep adding 5 minutes to your daily time until you can play without your lip swelling. If it starts hurting, back off. I use Lip-Ease on my teeth and that extends the playing time for me.
I also ice my lip after I play but I use Bomb Pops or Popsicles to do the job. They work better than ice for some reason. It's really easy to just hold it by the stick and slide it back and forth on my lower lip. It tastes really good too. Very little calories and it gets the job done. By the time the Bomb Pop is gone the swelling is down so it's the perfect solution for me. I learned this from the pediatic nurse when one of my boys busted their lower lip as a kid. They had me do this little trick. It stopped them from crying and got their lip iced at the same time. I always keep Bomp Pops on hand now for my nephews and neice and ........of course me and my lower lip.
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Author: Aussiegirl
Date: 2005-05-10 05:20
thankyou! I ice my lip too, especially when it splits, but alas my bar fridge, which im living out of now im in a tiny lil room at uni, wont freeze KoolPops, but will icecubes (i know, its weird), so im just using them. Im working on easing myself back into playing but im getting stressed about this exam now...scary!
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Author: Sandra F.
Date: 2005-05-12 04:00
I switch between single and double lip embouchures to aid prevention of bruised lips and to increase my endurance. I use the medicinal essential oil, "Helichrysum italicum" neat (directly) on my lips. It's specific to bruising and swelling and is safe on skin. I recently overplayed (recital and concert), and took lip tenderness out within a day with this essential oil. One drawback...it's expensive.
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