 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Niethamer
Date: 2013-10-17 00:53
Please pardon the cross-posting with the KLARINET list. I know some of you read both, but many do not.
I have a sophomore college student who is considering getting braces to straighten her teeth. She has been told that this will take about 18 months. She is also considering pursuing a career in performance. I've never had a student get braces at this age, and we wonder what the impact on her playing is likely to be. In 18 months, she will presumably be playing a senior recital, and playing grad school auditions. Is there anyone on the list who has either done this at age 20, or had a student who has done this at age 20, who has some experience to share? All experiences and opinions welcomed.
David
David
niethamer@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/index.html
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-10-17 03:19
Hi David,
As a teacher of middle school and high school I have this frequently. The reason why I comment is that it of course happens to students who are high achievers (All state band, Youth Orchestra, principal of their band, etc...)
In my experience there is not much of an issue here. I think your student will have the advantage of already having developed their concept of sound and other fundamental skills, as well as having developed their developmental and analytical process.
I have coached high achieving kids into and through their refinement of sound, embouchure, and process with the braces being thrown into the mix. It can be done, and it's done a lot.
If they really need or want it, better to get it down now before their masters.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: marcia
Date: 2013-10-17 05:55
My first set of braces was as a young teenager, had been playing for a couple of years. My second set of braces was as an adult after playing for many years. Apart from the initial pain of lips rubbing on braces (use dental wax) till the lips get a bit toughened, and the bone pain for a day or two after an adjustment (use pain killers) there was little impact. The change in tooth position happens gradually over a long period of time so is not a difficult adjustment.
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-10-17 11:03
FWIW, I avoided getting braces in my youth to avoid having to navigate the issues around auditions. In fact, because of the way the timing worked, I ended up just not having braces at all in my youth. Playing well was more important than straight teeth I reasoned.
Years later, I got braces as a 30 year old when I was no longer playing. And I returned to the clarinet in my 40s. The changes in my mouth actually make playing easier and allow me to get a better tone than I could in my youth (although a good teacher and some additional wisdom/patience that come with age certainly contribute).
In short, get the braces. Work through the differences and discomfort. It really is worth it in the long run. And straight teeth have a great cosmetic benefit, but also some potential functional benefits for clarinet players
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Author: valoboe
Date: 2013-10-17 20:12
My son is pursuing a performance degree and also needed braces. We decided to use Invisalign braces. The amount of time to complete treatment will take a little longer but my son can remove the braces while he is playing his instrument (or eating). The teeth still get sore as with standard braces but there is no issue of braces rubbing on the lips or interfering with the embochure.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2013-10-18 16:19
> In my experience there is not much of an issue here.
FWIW, that has been my experience as well. Numerous students with braces, in 90% of the cases, it has little impact on their playing.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-10-18 18:01
In some rare circumstances I've had kids whose embouchure was improved by having to work around the braces.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: MSK
Date: 2013-10-22 02:25
Just make sure no important performances are scheduled the first week or two. The mouth can be quite painful the first week.
Regarding Invisalign. I'm in my forties and still have to wear a retainer at night because clarinet playing keeps pushing my teeth out of position. My orthodontist would prefer that I wear my retainer during long playing sessions, but I find my Essex retainer which is similar to Invisalign slippery against my mouthpiece. It is fine for rehearsal but I choose not to wear it for performance. I do play better without it.
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