 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kev182
Date: 2008-06-29 02:51
Do you find the need to put something over your teeth while playing or after a few hours? or feel a groove or a cut after playing for long periods of time?
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-06-29 03:42
I did because I was biting and used cigarette paper over my lower teeth for years.
Now I play double lip and there's no problem.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2008-06-29 04:16
I've never had to use one as I don't bite at all even with 7-8 hours playing pr.day for a week.
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-29 04:46
I use wax denture strips cut into small square patches to cover my bottom teeth. They are quite sharp and positioned such that they slice my bottom lip like a knive.
Luckily they are one accessory that is cheap. It's an easy solution. The best part is that they can be molded to fit your teeth exactly by running them under hot water for a few seconds to soften them.
They can be difficult to get used to because of their thickness, but after time just like anything else you'll get used to it.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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Author: allencole
Date: 2008-06-29 17:43
Hey Ryder, what brand are you using. I was using EZO from time to time (particularly for Tenor Sax) but it appears to be no longer available. Would love to try something else.
Allen Cole
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-29 19:17
Actually I do use EZO. I don't know if you have a Wallgreen's pharmacy in your area of the US, but that's where I get mine. I bought a new pack about three month ago. I haven't looked in walmart or places like that because I only need one package of EZOs to last me almost a year, with lots of practicing too.
As far as I know they are still availible. If they aren't I'm sure there's other brands that will work just as well. If you can't find them at a regualr store, try a dental shop, or even online (the shipping may be more than the actuall strips though :/ . )
I believe I'm going to try to start double lipping on occasion to help cure the biting problem I now suspect I have. From what I've read and heard double lip, if done correctly of course, basically eliminates the need for excessive pressure from the teeth.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-06-29 19:33
Hey Allen, here in Ch'ville EZO is available in most CVS stores.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: bcl1dso
Date: 2008-06-29 22:13
I use a piece of rubber/plastic that was made for me by my dentist that is a exact replication of my teeth. Iceland....just because someone uses something on there bottom teeth doesn't mean that they bite excessively...many great players use some form of "Lip Protector" for there bottom teeth.
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2008-06-30 00:21
Iceland clarinet says he never bites and plays his clarinet 7-8 hours a day a week at a time and his lip is never sore! That's amazing in so many ways....
Clarinet Redux
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-30 02:34
I don’t know what EZO is but I’ve been using floral tape for years. I had my dentist file down my bottom teeth a little many years ago to take the sharpness away but I still cut into my teeth when playing a long time. I got so used to it that I just use it all the time now. When I was a student I used to bleed my lip from practicing so much and I refused to use anything, that was really stupid. Floral tape can be purchased from most florists or places like WalMart that sell imitation flowers and floral designs. You can get a role for a buck. You cut off a piece as long as you need, I fold it three times, you can do it two, one or as thick as you need. It sticks to itself but doesn’t have glue. I use a piece a few times and a roll lasts me over a year. I suggest white; it looks better when you talk to someone. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
This was posted a long time ago, it seems to have re appeared.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2009-02-04 23:58)
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Author: allencole
Date: 2008-06-30 04:09
Floral tape! Interesting...I've never heard of that before.
EZO consists of denture-shaped pieces of linen impregnated with wax. One small strip does a nice job of padding the lower teeth, although I do find it bothersome when playing flute. I normally use "15 lower heavy", but have also used the thinner 'upper' strips as well.
I'm glad to hear that the floral tape doesn't have glue, because this has been my heartburn with some other denture products. I'm scared to death of blowing glue into an instrument--particularly the sax with those sensitive B-flat and G# keys. Will go out and get some soon.
Thanks to all who responded on sources of EZO. I'm trying to toughen up, but that tenor setup really jackhammers those lower teeth into my lip.
Allen Cole
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2008-06-30 21:14
Oberlin made an acquaintance of mine stop using cigarette papers, and I followed this advice, until I started having dental issues in my 50's. Once I heard that several players in the <name deleted> Symphony Orchestra play with bite protectors that their dentists made, my dentist made me one, and have been very happy with it. He made a mold of my lower teeth, and formed a piece of slim, clear plastic over it. Fits my teeth perfectly. But, this summer, I am trying to practice only without it. News at 11.
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Author: LicoriceStick
Date: 2008-07-01 19:15
There used to be a nifty product in the 70s called Lip Saver that worked like the florist tape that Ed describes, but I don't think it's made anymore. I also use the white florist tape and it works great for me. (Note to Ed on the green tape - EW!) I'll bite right through my lower lip if I'm not well "wrapped". And I've got those pouty Jolie lips, too!
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Author: mrn
Date: 2008-07-01 20:16
I've never used anything to cover my bottom teeth, but my teacher usually did. I play single lip exclusively. I get a little indent/mark on my bottom lip if I play for a long time, but it's never really bothered me.
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Author: bufordpsqueak
Date: 2008-07-02 12:06
I read the first of that thread and found it to be so offensive that I stopped reading it. I use cigarette paper and I do not have a bad embouchure nor do I use improper pressure. I play extremely high notes and I have sharp teeth too.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-07-02 14:10
What was offensive about the beginnings of either of these threads?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Jameslyons
Date: 2008-07-02 17:14
I once practiced for four hours with the clarinet improperly weighted over two lower teeth. My lower jaw was in agony for the rest of the day and I was afraid I had permanently screwed up my teeth. Later, after vowing to buy lip protectors, I was speaking with my teacher, he corrected my clarinet positioning and I never had another problem with lower jaw pain.
I do, however, gladly employ the use of a thumb guard.
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2008-07-02 17:53
I use EZO. Does anyone know the difference between the kinds of EZO strips? Is there a "good" one?
Bradley
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Author: maroon2107
Date: 2008-07-05 04:22
I use a plastic teeth cover on my bottom teeth that my dentist made for me. I have nerve damage in my jaw that makes it weak, though, so my situation may be a little different.
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Author: bogzi
Date: 2008-07-06 06:04
When I was younger I had braces and I used EZO to keep them from tearing the inside of my mouth up.
After I lost the braces I didnt use anything for years but now it seems that I am going to have to start again. After a couple hours of playing, my front teeth seem to imbed themselvesunderneath my lip and it makes me misrable. I Had never heard of any one using a dentist made gaurd. I think that Im going to look into that.
Although EZO or anything to that tune works well.
:-)
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Author: LKKlarinet
Date: 2008-10-03 21:46
I use Parafilm from chemistry lab. It is wax film, which can be streched and pressed to any shapes. Also, it can be folded to any thickness.
LKKlarinet
Borbeck V12 Bob Harrison S-1Buffet
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2008-10-04 11:34
I use one when I have to do a lot of practice to play in a show after months of not playing. (We don't all have the luxury of regular practice that toughens up the lip tissues 
I made one of the type that dentists cast in acrylic, but by my own method...
I put carbon paper over my teeth, carbon side up. then bit on a small block of acrylic. I carved away the marks left on the acrylic (with a dental micromotor, but a Dremel would do). I repeated the process many times, while also gradually shaping the outside.
It took a while, saved me paying the dentist, and produced an excellent and satisfying result, covering 4 teeth. It clips on firmly.
Post Edited (2008-10-04 11:35)
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Author: Ryan K
Date: 2008-10-04 18:17
The best one I've ever found was a piece of very thin, very soft plastic. After cutting it to the size I needed, it lasted around 3 months. I think it was from a bike tire repair kit.
Now I use Duct Tape, taped together, and cut to fit. It lasts about a week, and one roll lasts, a long time.
I'll admit I do bite, and when I experiment with double lip it does correct it, but I'm actively working to correct it.
Ryan Karr
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2008-10-04 23:12
Bite is such a subjective term. So it seems odd that some players attach such extreme negativity towards the practice. Some players must be seeing this as a thread full of criminals, judging from what has been said about "BITING!" before.
Surely every player bites to some degree, unless they can play exactly the same with their lower teeth lowered another cm.
And the player who does not practice enough to develop a firm lip tissue, HAS to bite a bit more (as a substitute) in order to play with an acceptable, controlled sound. And the harder the reed, the more bite.
But I guess that is tangential to the topic. :-)
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Author: clarionman
Date: 2008-10-06 15:06
I use a product call Lip Ease. Is a very thin but strong piece of plastic. Also is very inexpensive it can last along time because I comes it a big role.
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Author: angelbabydoll729
Date: 2009-02-04 23:30
The EZO... does it come off of your teeth easily? Or do u have to like brush your teeth intensly??
Kerri B.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-02-05 00:13
Comes off very easily - no brushing required.
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2009-02-05 02:25
I don't for small clarinet, but I've been thinking about using a protector for the bass. That thing is heavy, and even with a strap it gets transferred to my teeth.
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Author: clarinetwoodcarver
Date: 2009-02-05 12:40
I have been using white adhesive tape (the kind that you would use to secure a gauze bandage) for years........I have found that Curity brand works best, Johnson & Johnson is ok, but has more of a scent..........it seems to form to the shape of my teeth fairly quickly.
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Author: clarinetwoodcarver
Date: 2009-02-05 16:34
I just checked and the actual name brand is "Curad (wet-pruf)", which I named as Curity in the previous post. I purchase it at the local drug store and it lasts for years.
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