 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ryan K
Date: 2007-10-11 23:12
I take to much lip under the mouthpiece, and it causes my lip to swell up. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so how do I fix/prevent it? It really makes the rest of my playing wonky for a while.
Ryan Karr
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ShinyKeys
Date: 2007-10-12 01:48
Wonky? Oh my. Have you tried using ChopSaver lip balm? It is very soothing when applied prior and during playing almost any wind instrument. My husband uses it when playing his bagpipes and he turned me on to it.
That, and easing up on the back pressure by trying a mouthpiece cushion. Although the cushion comforts the teeth in front, it allows you to grip the mouthpiece more firmly, thus easing up your bottom lip.
Chopsaver can be ordered through WW&BW.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryan K
Date: 2007-10-12 14:11
Wonky is one of my favorite words. I play clarinet, of course I'm a bit ecentric.
I do use a mouthpiece patch. I can't play without one. I have very, very large lips, so this is a chronic problem on any woodwind I play.
I'll give chopsaver a try. Its sold at my local music store. For soothing effects, if I'm in a pintch i'll use numbing lip balm.
Any ideas to reduce swelling?
Ryan Karr
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hans
Date: 2007-10-12 15:48
To reduce swelling... ice might help, unless it's a medical issue of some kind.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Philcoman
Date: 2007-10-12 17:19
Chopsaver is great, but also you may be biting too hard. You shouldn't have to press too hard on the reed with your lower lip.
Also, how long are your practice sessions? If you play for a very long time, you may just have to shorten them, or take breaks more often.
"If you want to do something, you do it, and handle the obstacles as they come." --Benny Goodman
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryan K
Date: 2007-10-13 16:22
Being a highschool student, i practice in really random intervals. Some days I won't play at all, some days I'll play upwards of four hours.
I'll give popsicles a try, and some chopsaver.
Ryan Karr
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-10-13 17:29
Quote:
I take to much lip under the mouthpiece, and it causes my lip to swell up. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so how do I fix/prevent it?
If you want to fix the position of your bottom lip, a good way to start is to utilize a double lip embouchure. Now, you don't have to play double lip, but in many cases, forming a double lip embouchure does not allow you to take too much lip under the mouthpiece. So, you can form the double lip embouchure, feel where your lower lip is in relation to your bottom teeth and then keep that same position in your single lip embouchure. Keep going back to the double lip to check if your placement has shifted as you play.
It will take some time to break the old habit of too much lower lip. You will need to practice the new position in short spurts or you will easily resort to the old position.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2007-10-13 19:29
i 2nd the motion to practice double lip for awhile - it will cure the biting too hard issue
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alphie
Date: 2007-10-13 21:40
Have you tried to use less lip under the mouthpiece? Or is that a too simple advice?
Alphie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryan K
Date: 2007-10-15 01:47
I know how much I need to take is the weird thing. It's almost like I can play maybe a minute where I should be, then its too painful and I stop. Is that normal? I'm going to work on building up more endurance I suppose. Maybe I'll check out a double lip embouchure. I've never been taught or read about it, so this could be an adventure.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: A Brady
Date: 2007-10-16 02:52
For a very helpful discussion on the therapeutic benefit of trying the double lip embouchure, to correct various single lip problems, see Tom Ridenour's "Educator's Guide to the Clarinet."
When I studied with Fred Ormand, I was telling him about my lip being sore and cut from so much playing. He explained that the only way to cut the lip was by side to side motion; he demonstrated by pressing his reed knife into his palm; it left a light mark, but inflicted no damage. He then stated that if he were to move it side to side with the same downward pressure, it would cut, and he would be injured. Embouchure stability can be a great help here. Think of the teeth being the reed knife and you get the idea.
I have seen many people use cigarette paper or other materials on their lower teeth to help, but I was never comfortable with this, and have had few problems with cutting/soreness after applying Professor Ormand's idea.
AB
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-10-16 04:09
try using a softer reed?
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nbblazer
Date: 2007-10-16 04:49
I have two solutions for your. One is immediate, and the other depends on how you practice.
Find some paraffin, and fold it so it will fold over your bottom teeth. Those bottom teeth are sharp! Paraffin will make them a little dull. You can buy DEG Lip Ease Teeth Cushion, which is something that brass players often use for their lips.
Second, develop a good embouchure. I bet you raise your pitch when your flat by "tightening" your embouchure, but what you’re actually doing is putting pressure on the reed. The mouthpiece should be pushed up into the top teeth, and the bottom lips act as a cushion that covers the bottom teeth.
Open your throat, and lower your jaw. This will cause you to go flat, so pull the corners of your lips inward. There is a point where air starts leaking out of the corners of your lips. At the point before air starts to leak out is where the corners should be. Finally, hold your tongue against the ruff of your mouth. By pulling in the corners, and lifting the tongue, you will focus your sound. Lowering your jaw will create resonance and depth to your tone.
As time goes when you play, your jaw will tend to resort back to tightening on the reed to keep the pitch set. Don't let this happen, think about what your mouth is doing. Practice with a mirror so you can see what your face looks like.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
