 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: joe423
Date: 2013-05-10 17:52
This summer i'll be going to Brevard Summer Clinic in North Carolina. It is a 6 week camp and I know I will be doing a lot of playing. From past honor band experiences, I know that my bottom lip gets cut up and sore after playing for 7+ hours in a day. I have heard of chops in a box(but have never tried them) and masking/electrical tape, does anybody have preferences or know what works best? Thanks for the input.
1975 Buffet R13 Bb Clarinet
1968 Buffet R13 A Clarinet
Pyne Clarion Mouthpiece
Vandoren V12 3.5 Reeds
Vandoren Optimum Ligature
Post Edited (2013-05-10 17:57)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-05-10 18:17
EZO denture pads. Cut pieces off just long enough to cover your bottom front teeth. They are made of gauze impregnated with beeswax. The beeswax softens (but doesn't melt into anything that will come loose) in your mouth to mold snugly to your teeth. You can then re-use the piece as many times as you like - I use the same piece for weeks and only eventually replace it because after that long it seems as if there should be some sanitary reason for throwing it out, not because it couldn't still be used.
Probably you should use a reed in the lighter end of your comfortable range. Regardless of the condition of your inner lip surface, you'd hate to get to hour 5 or 6 of the 7+ on a given day and have your mouth muscles just give out.
Karl
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-05-10 19:56
Temporary remedy ok, but you should not bite.
richard smith
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-05-10 21:45
Trouble is, by 6 or 7 hours many players are tired enough that they start biting even if they normally don't.
Although after a week of that kind of schedule, the chops may be durable enough not to need the extra lip protection.
Karl
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-05-11 01:27
At my first East Tennessee Honors Band (10th grade), on the first day we had two 2-hour rehearsals. Everyone tried to out-blow everyone else.
On the morning of the second day, the director asked "How many of you feel like a horse kicked you in the mouth?" Every hand went up.
So, drop down a full number on reed strength for the first day and "mark." That is, blend in and never play louder than mf. That's what the director will ask for anyway. The most important part of being in an honors band is that everyone can flat out PLAY. You don't have the 3rd clarinets and 3rd trumpets blasting away as loud as they can. You must never play louder than beautiful.
Don't wait for your lip to start hurting. Use a cushion from the beginning. If you can't get one soon enough, you can improvise one from several layers of Saran wrap or even newspaper.
Ken Shaw
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Author: MSK
Date: 2013-05-11 01:39
Ken when were you at East Tennessee Honors Band? We might have been there together.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-05-11 02:31
MSK -
It was in the spring of 1960 in Knoxville. My high school had an amazing clarinet section that year. My two best friends, Enoch Moser and Bill Zachry, were first and second chair, and I was third chair. Then they graduated and I had to carry the load in 60/61.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-05-11 15:05
It's easy for some people to say , "don't bite". Some of us just simply can't play any other way. We may not bite but we still cut into our lower lips. Many pro's have this problem, many don't. I know several that use all kinds of lip savers, from pieces of old T shirts to pieces of paper. I've been using Floral Tape for at least 40 years now. A student gave me a roll and I've used it since. You can get it at any place that sells imitation flowers or a florists. I use white so it doens't look funny and it only cost a few bucks for a roll. Because it sticks to itself without a feeling of glue you can cut off a piece and make it as thick or thin as you need. I fold it twice so it becomes three thick. Everyone many not like it but I love it. I fold it onto my bottom teeth to form it and once I play a few notes it shapes well. I actually use the same piece a few times but you can make a new one each time. I carry 3-4 pieces cut to size so I can mold it when I need a new one, takes a few seconds. YOu have to find what's comfortable and there's no problem using something. As I said, many of us do.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2013-05-11 15:47
Can I ask those of you who are using Ezo if it matters if it is the upper or lower pads that are used? I can only see the upper pads available for delivery to the UK. I was thinking of getting some as I have joined a windband mostly playing eefer and the accumulation of hours of practicing and performing for several hours takes it toll. I am generally fine with the 'bigger' clarinets. Since I changed my embouchure last year, I have less lip covering my lower teeth and I have one quite sharp angled tooth that can cut in after prolonged playing.
Post Edited (2013-05-11 16:03)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-05-11 18:20
Paula S -
Your dentist can quickly, easily and painlessly round off the sharp corner of your tooth. I've had it done several times on my canine teeth and on my lower front teeth, one of which leans back. It's a tiny change that makes a big difference.
Also have your dentist look for signs of teeth grinding when you sleep, which sharpens the tooth corners. A night guard stops that immediately.
Holding the clarinet closer to vertical can also relieve pressure. Watch David Etheridge's video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnRZ9CmOrHM.
Ken Shaw
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Author: MSK
Date: 2013-05-11 19:35
Ken Shaw:
We weren't at East Tennessee Honor band together -- I was there in the eighties. Enjoyed a little connection to home nevertheless. It was my first experience playing really challenging music ... and needing an embouchure cushion. My mother was extremely embarrassed by shopping for cigarette rolling papers.
MSK
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-05-11 19:56
MSK -
As a guy in NYC in the early 70s, I never got even a raised eyebrow when I bought cigarette papers. The music stores stocked them.
However, I think I can top your mother for embarrassing experiences. In college, I got a pilonidal cyst infection (at the base of my spine), The doctor opened it up and decided to let it heal slowly from the bottom. This meant that there was a continuous discharge of blood, lymph and pus from the surgical wound. I had to go to the drug store to get a belt and sanitary napkins to absorb it.
To his credit, the pharmacist kept a straight face, but it still crops up in my nightmares.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2013-05-14 12:53
Re: Ezo pads--you can use upper and/or lower pads. You'll be taking scissors to cut the material up into useable pieces.
I've also tried floral tape. What doesn't work, in my opinion, is the wax orthodontists give their patients. It is too soft to mold to lower, brace-less teeth and be effective. The Ezo works far better.
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Author: joe423
Date: 2013-05-14 16:55
Yes, I have tried the dentist wax and it does not work what so ever.
1975 Buffet R13 Bb Clarinet
1968 Buffet R13 A Clarinet
Pyne Clarion Mouthpiece
Vandoren V12 3.5 Reeds
Vandoren Optimum Ligature
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2013-05-14 19:21
A very simple solution for those of us that carry packs of cigarette papers for drying pads, is to take a cigarette paper, fold it a few times into a pad small enough to place over the 2 middle lower teeth. Moistening it gives it enough "stick" to hold it in place. When fully saturated it's not uncomfortable, and maintains its integrity. Voila! A protective paper pad that does the job required, costs virtually nothing, and can be replaced with a fresh one as required for each session.
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Author: jacobhardy25
Date: 2013-05-14 21:02
I have personally used just regular masking tape. some tan masking tape. it works really well and i have used it for about 6 hours of playing. I went to marrowstone twice in the past 2 years and it worked really well. 2 weeks each time playing about 6 or more hours each can really kill your chops. Plus masking tape is probably cheaper than some cushions you can buy on a music website for the amount of cushions you can make with the amount of masking tape
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