 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Dominic
Date: 2006-09-14 14:50
Hi
I have a child who would like to start the clarinet this term. He is 9yrs old but his mother queried whether this would be possible as he still has full set of milk teeth (she read somewhere that clarinet might harm the milk teeth or something). Has anyone come across this issue from a parent? Does clarinet playing really affect children's milk teeth?
Many thanks.
Dominic
Dominic
Cardiff, UK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-09-14 16:14
Most kids have their permanent front teeth long before they start playing the clarinet. It is possible to start playing while still having milk teeth (Julian Bliss managed it....) The greater issue is trying to play during the period when there are no front teeth.
What worries me in this case is why the child still has milk teeth at the age of nine. This is certainly unusual; whether it is a cause for concern I don't know. I think you should seek an opinion from this child's dentist; if there is a problem with the teeth, you don't want to get the blame.
-----------
If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katrina
Date: 2006-09-14 16:43
But, what do you do without any front teeth??? I have wondered (and posted here) about Julian Bliss and his transitions between teeth...
Anyone know any more???
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dori
Date: 2006-09-14 19:49
Katrina wrote:
> But, what do you do without any front teeth??? I have wondered
> (and posted here) about Julian Bliss and his transitions
> between teeth...
>
> Anyone know any more???
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know if this was the case for Julian Bliss, but both my son & I were never without our two top front teeth as the permanet(adult) ones were in place before we lost the baby (milk) teeth.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-09-14 21:52
"But, what do you do without any front teeth???"
Golly, I don't have any upper teeth at all, so I just roll my upper lip over my gums and play. It doesn't seem to make any difference.
Eu
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katrina
Date: 2006-09-15 00:06
Well, Eu, that was my question. Since I have upper teeth, and can't remember when I had lost my baby teeth, I didn't know if there was enough room to make a proper embouchure! It seems to me that the gums wouldn't be "long" enough, but I guess you prove me wrong!
Katrina
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-09-15 00:57
Katrina, it doesn't seem to make a major difference in one's embruchure IMO, as it is similar to the double lip type . . . however the 1/4 - 3/8 inch of missing teeth does result in the jaws closing closer together and thereby reduces the size/volume of the oral chamber. That might have some effect on intonation, but I'm the least qualified to know just what effect it might have (if any).
Someday, when I get around to getting an upper plate, I will probably have to make some adjustment in my embruchure just like others who have gone through a toothless transition period.
Eu
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-09-15 05:16
OK as I wrote above I started clarient before age 7, but I didn't really remember what happened when I lost my front milk teeth, so I asked my parents and they said I was just somehow able to play without them. It wasn't a big deal at all.
David Peacham - I don't think having milk teeth at age 9 is so unusual. As long as they slowly fall off by themselves it is nothing to worry about in my opinion.
Post Edited (2006-09-15 05:24)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bawa
Date: 2006-09-15 09:33
My daughter started around 7, and although her teeth were changing at the time, I don't remember that ever being an issue. All students in her music school start at that age (from the sax to the bassoon or whatever), so its certainly not an issue. In fact, right now my daughter is playing with a plastic "tile" behind her upper front teeth to correct overbite, along with a full set of braces! and it can be done, although it does take a little getting used to.
Post Edited (2006-09-15 09:34)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
