 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: awildman
Date: 2009-04-25 06:31
I need some advice here. I've got some pretty uneven teeth. Bottom ones are not so bad - at least they're generally about the same height - but the two frontmost teeth on the top are of significantly different height. (or would it be depth, since they're hanging?)
I'd love to start learning to play, but I'm not sure what difficulties my teeth might cause. I'm starting orthodontic work in the next few months, but obviously teeth take awhile to move around. Should I go ahead and start lessons, or wait for a couple of years for my teeth to adjust?
Note: I am well into adulthood, and have no aspirations to be a great player, so time's not really an issue. And i already play another instrument - in a very non-clarinet-compatible musical style, so I've mostly got my musical fix there. My aspirations are pretty low, perhaps playing in a community orchestra but nothing big.
Thanks in advance, all.
-Aaron
p.s. I did a search, but couldn't find anything that addressed my specific question. If there is an existing thread, please be so kind as to point it out.
Post Edited (2009-04-25 06:32)
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Author: D
Date: 2009-04-25 08:02
You might find that thick mouthpiece patches (possibly two layers on the side with the short tooth or a thin one and half a thick) allow you to be comfortable playing. I use one thick one to cushion my teeth as one of them is a bit broken and the vibrations from the mouthpiece are uncomfortable otherwise. It's difficult to say, especially without seeing your teeth, but lots of people with uneven gnashers manage very well. I think the main problem would be if any of your teeth are sharp and cut your lips or if you have a teacher who is incapable of taking your teeth into account when teaching your embouchure.
If it is really a problem, you could learn descant and treble recorders while your teeth are being moved around. This way you would learn to read music, get chance to play in a group and also learn both halves of the clarinet fingering. (Clarinet bottom register uses essentially treble fingering and middle register descant fingering). When your teeth are in more suitable positions you'll hit the ground running, and probably also still want to play the recorder too as it is a lovely instrument if you keep it away from children. Learn from a proper recorder teacher who regards it as a proper instrument though, otherwise you'll just end up using all the wrong fingerings, never play in tune, never learn alternative fingerings and miss out on the amazing things the instrument can do. By the way, I'd try and get at least a descant, treble and tenor. Tenor has a similar finger stretch to the clarinet so you'd get used to that, and the same fingering as the descant.
Post Edited (2009-04-25 15:55)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-04-25 13:39
I'd start now. Even if playing should prove to be a tad difficult, the motivation will get you better over the sore jaw. Besides, there's still the fingers you have to work with, not the embouchure alone.
Bear in mind that you aren't supposed to bite anyway, and you can still play around with double-lip embouchure and different mouthpiece patches and reed strengths as suggested.
--
Ben
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-04-25 16:42
Quote:
You might find that thick mouthpiece patches (possibly two layers on the side with the short tooth or a thin one and half a thick) allow you to be comfortable playing. I use one thick one to cushion my teeth as one of them is a bit broken and the vibrations from the mouthpiece are uncomfortable otherwise. I'm in the same boat and feel the same. I have a slight chip in one of my front teeth. And with a thick patch, you can see where the chip digs into it and there's a divot there. But it feels comfortable. More than without one.
I say start it. I didn't have problem continuing with braces or my retainer, and while it really isn't ever too late to start enjoying playing an instrument, there's no reason to wait IMO.
Alexi
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-04-25 16:50
Alexi,
I had the same deal and I mentioned it to my dentist during a cleaning exam. In about two minutes, he had ground down the sharp part of one tooth (and did not even charge).
Don't try this at home.
HRL
Post Edited (2009-04-25 16:51)
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Author: marcia
Date: 2009-04-25 17:21
I'd say start now. Before my recent orthodontia, my top teeth were very uneven. This had happened gradually over a period of years, and my resultant compensation was very sublte. It was a while before I realised that I was actually making any adjustment. Initially I turned the clarinet ever so slightly to maintain contact with both teeth. Eventaully the mal-alignment became so pronounced that my MP was making contact with only one tooth. I was still able to aply like that, and with the gradual straightening of my teeth, contact was re-established with both teeth. So, it is possible to play with crooked teeth, and also during the process of straightening them. Don't delay just for that reason.
mho
Marcia
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-04-25 18:12
Thanks Hank. I'll make sure to mention it next checkup. I never even thought of that.
Alexi
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-04-25 18:19
Alexi,
I'd been gouging MPs and patches for years and then finally asked my hygienist "Sue, can Dr. Paul... He took on look at it and said "Sue, give me a ..." and it was over almost before it started.
I'm sure there may be situations where the grind is not appropriate but just ask and see.
HRL
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Author: awildman
Date: 2009-04-26 00:35
Thanks for the encouragement, everybody. My teeth aren't too bad, relatively speaking. No real sharp points that I can tell of. I should be able to get by with a layer or two of mouthpiece pad on one side. I never thought to modify the clarinet in any way like that.
Now to get my clarinet fixed and find a teacher....
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2009-04-26 03:40
You can also use the denture adhesive strips as a tooth cushion for your bottom lip. They last a lot longer than the (usually brittle) wax you get at the orthodontist. The wax is good for "normal" use, but the bottom lip's position in clarinet playing is not "normal" and the wax frequently will shred or break apart when used there.
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-04-27 20:42
I started playing clarinet back in 5th grade, when my teeth were impossibly crowded. Played through teeth extractions, braces, retainers, etc. Playing after having my braces tightened was not much fun, but that soreness only lasts for a day or two. The orthodontic changes happen so gradually, so I never really noticed that I had to make any adjustments to playing. Mouthpiece pad helps, as does cigarette papers folded over your bottom teeth (in case you have any brackets or wires that may bite into your lower lip while playing).
Think of it this way...if you start playing now, then when your orthodontic work is complete you'll not only have a great smile, but you'll be that much further ahead with your clarinet.
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Author: awildman
Date: 2009-04-27 21:56
So, to clarify: I should bite down with top teeth directly onto the mouthpiece, and on the bottom, sandwich my lower lip between bottom teeth and reed?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-04-27 23:20
awildman wrote:
> So, to clarify: I should bite down with top teeth directly
> onto the mouthpiece, and on the bottom, sandwich my lower lip
> between bottom teeth and reed?
You shouldn't bite at all. :-)
But a sandwich would look like
upper teeth
mouthpiece patch
mouthpiece
reed
rolled-in lower lips
lower teeth.
If you aren't comfy with teeth-on-patch, you can roll in your upper lips like you'd roll in your lower lips, doing "double-lip embouchure". Resist the temptation to compensate lip muscle strength with jaw pressure - you'll end up with bleeding lips. Better switch to a softer mouthpiece/reed combo, at least temporarily.
--
Ben
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