 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: snooks1
Date: 2007-04-20 08:48
hi, i'm new to this site. wondered if anyone could offer advice. i played a recital yesterday for about 20 mins, quite challenging pieces, and was also practicing a lot before. however, today i need to practice again and am unable to do so because the ridge in my bottom lip where it rests on my teeth is extremely sore.
i have been playing for many years and for longer periods of time but have never encountered this before.
it would be gretatly appreciated if someone could tell me where i'm going wrong and how to avoid this.
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Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2007-04-20 12:54
What my teacher used to tell me is: if your lip is sore, take a day off. Play for several short periods of time instead of continuously. Try a slightly softer reed temporarily while your lip is sore if you MUST play. I have also seen some people put a Rizla paper over their bottom teeth - can't abide it myself, but it works for some people.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-04-20 13:10
I read on this forum (I think John Moses wrote it?) that a dentist could make some plastic thing the shape of your teeth to protect your lip. I never had a real problem with pain in the lower lip, until I had this one piece I played which even caused me to bleed and hurt pretty bad (a lot of altisimo on soprano but especially holding low D on bass clarinet for about five minutes at the end). I went and had my dentist make this plastic protector and although I never really used it (other than checking a little when I received it) it does help. It didn't even cost me anything, so even if you need to pay I don't think it would be very expensive (though cost of anyting dental varies a lot between countries).
What I usually do, in the rare occasion that my lip hurts too much to play, is just rest until it doesn't hurt anymore.
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Author: John Stackpole
Date: 2007-04-20 13:22
I can endorse the dental cap solution, as well. Worked for me!
Not only that but my (strictly amateur) tone on higher registers went from a tad flat to much closer, as measured by an electronic tuner.
I suspect I was more "willing" to chomp down harder on the reed when I "knew" (unconsciously) that I wouldn't be shredding my lower lip in doing so.
Cost me $50.00 but we in the U.S. don't have proper medical/dental coverage, as everybody knows.
JDS
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Author: ABerry
Date: 2007-04-20 15:27
Hi Emma,
I had the same problem for years...I would use cigarette paper folded several times and placed over bottom teeth, this would help quite a bit. The trick is to put the paper on when you first start getting sore, but even after a while the paper didn't work any more and rest was the only solution. With all that said, and finally being fed up with the sore bottom lip, I went to my dentist. He applied a bonding agent and smoothed out my bottom teeth and that work like a charm. He also offered to make a cap if it didn't work. Hope this helps...
Allan
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Author: CEC
Date: 2007-04-20 16:45
Second the cigarette paper approach. Simple, cheap and effective!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-04-20 16:56
One that I learned while at the school of music for army was floral tape. Go to a florist and get floral tape. It's about $3 for a roll and that roll will surely last a few years. Cut a strip about three inches, fold it a few times to fit your teeth, and as you put it in and your saliva wets it it'll conform to your teeth. Use it for a few days (I simply drop it in the case when I'm done) and when it starts to feel 'icky' or look bad or feel a little bad, change it. Or if you're a stickler for hygiene, use a new strip every time you play. the money you spend on it will NOT be a lot.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-04-20 17:17
You could also try Ezo. It's in the denture cushion section at the CVS. I cut it into pieces to fit over my front bottom teeth. It's like cheesecloth with a wax coating. Warm it in the hands for a minute to make it pliable, then fold over your teeth. It's very cheap, and one package will last a few years. I've also heard of folks using floral tape, but I don't think I've tried it.
I hope this helps.
Lori
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Author: snooks1
Date: 2007-04-24 12:12
thanks everyone! will look in to those solutions and for now i've been taking it easy untill my next recital tomoro!!
thanks again
emma snooks
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-04-24 13:38
It is important to take time off when needed. It is also a good idea to look at your playing and set up to determine why this is the case. Often you could be biting or using a set up that is a bit too resistant. You should be able to control the reed and your tone with your embouchure and not so much with your jaw/teeth pressure. Good luck.
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2007-04-24 15:00
Just curious, but are you biting a lot when you play? I find that if I start to bite, my lip hurts a lot. If you use your embochure muscles to support the reed INSTEAD of your bottom teeth and use a LOT of air, you'll find your pain is less and you'll be able to play longer. I agree with the advice of using a softer reed as well.
And if you need to put something over your teeth, try the ribbed athletic tape. It's also cheap and lasts forever. I fold it a few times over and bingo! Instant cushion.
Good luck with your recitals!
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Author: frank
Date: 2007-04-25 09:21
Instead of treating the symptom, fix the problem by playing with a proper embouchure. Read Larry Guy's book on embouchure to start. There are quite a few great exercises in there that will help strengthen your aperture. Don't write this off. I had lower lip pain years ago until I fixed the problem by producing a strong, proper embouchure. Guy's book helped immensly. You are biting, which isn't good. Hope this helps a bit.
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