 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: orchestr
Date: 2017-05-27 23:39
I know this topic has been gone over several times, but maybe it's worth revisiting as new products come out (or are discontinued). I've been looking for a lip-saver to recommend to my students (especially during marching season where good embouchure habits go to die), and I can't find something that fits my needs perfectly. I want something either extremely cheap (I can make like 200 of them for under $5) or something students can buy at a store, something durable (more than single-use), that forms somewhat to the teeth (to make it less of a choking hazard), and is non-toxic. I've always used a 1"x1" square, so I'm also looking for something around that size. These seem to be the commonly recommended lip-savers, followed by why they don't fit the above criteria:
Cigarette paper: not durable, students can't buy it
EZO: I can't seem to consistently find it in stores, isn't as cheap as other options
Medical tape: Doesn't form to the teeth
Parafilm: Must be ordered online, not very durable
Floral tape: I can't find 1" width
A piece of football mouth-guard: This is what I use, but requires boiling water and is really hard to get it thin enough and without sharp edges.
I've been looking at some other materials, but I haven't tried them. I'm also not sure if they're non-toxic, as parents are (rightfully) very wary of non-food-grade materials going in their children's mouths:
Fabric medical tape
Fabric sports tape
Lacrosse Tape
Silicone Self-Sealing tape
I used to use Curad Wet-Pruf tape because it was a little less "waxy" than other medical tape so it would form to your teeth better, and it was super cheap and available. It also didn't absorb too much moisture like fabric tape might (making it gross and possibly drying out your mouth). But they stopped making it.
I'd appreciate any suggestions not mentioned above that might fit my criteria, or if anyone has had success with any of those tapes.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-05-28 00:31
I've never found tapes to be satisfactory, but I haven't given any of them much more than a quick try. I used cigarette paper before I found out from a friend about EZO pads, but it comes apart too easily. Besides, ungummed cigarette paper isn't so easy to find, either, these days, and kids in school run a risk (slight to severe, depending on their schools' policies) of being accused of possessing drug paraphernalia.
Walgreen's advertises EZO on their website and is mentioned as a vendor on EZO's website. CVS also advertises that they carry it. I think the last 2 boxes I bought I ordered online, but that was too long ago to remember, and I haven't even opened the second box yet. So EZO is available and still a viable choice.
There are a few other denture cushions on the market. I haven't shopped for them (since I already have a lifetime supply of EZO pads), There's something called Snug that comes in several shapes, one of which looks like EZO. There's also one I've seen advertised on TV lately called Sea-Bond that seems similar. If you Google "denture cushions" about a zillion brands come up. If you look at the local pharmacies, probably something is available.
Karl
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-05-28 04:21
Back when I had a dental issue which made padding a necessity (over my bottom teeth)...I always had great luck with floral tape. I never used 1"x1" squares of anything though.
It worked great, formed to my teeth so that I nearly would forget it was there, and saved my lip until my dental issues were resolved. (Of course this was also when my instructor was pushing me to use Vandoren #5 reeds. Ugh!)
Fuzzy
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Author: orchestr
Date: 2017-05-28 04:58
Thanks, both of you. I will look into other denture pads. The 1"x1" measurement is simply so I can cover the four front bottom teeth. Any less than that doesn't seem to evenly distribute the pressure from the reed. How do you fold the floral tape?
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2017-05-28 06:16
If you need a lip saver, give up clarinet and take up flute or oboe instead.
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-05-28 07:41
Orchestr,
I just took the length I needed and tore it off, then centered it (length-ways) over my teeth and pushed it down in front and back. It seemed a little wobbly the first time or two I tried, but then I got used to it - so used to it that I'd nearly forget it was on my teeth when I quit practicing, and almost walked out of the house with it a couple times!
I normally don't like fussing with stuff like this, and really didn't like having to use it - and sorta fought the idea a bit - I hate adding gear/stuff like that...so for me to have gotten used to it so easily - I was pleasantly surprised.
I remember it felt odd the first couple times, but then it became "normal" and I never had any problems with it moving around, sliding off, or causing any problems. Plus - it saved my lip from my dental issue! (I used it for about a month or so.)
I think it is worth the try if you have some around. I had both green and white. The green seemed a little thicker, and I ended up liking it better.
Fuzzy
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Author: orchestr
Date: 2017-05-28 20:56
With all due respect, "quit the clarinet" or "fix your embouchure" are not contributing to the conversation.
I wasn't trying to start a debate about whether or not they're appropriate (which these threads inevitably turn into). Players of all levels use something on their teeth. I know of one person who is arguably one of the best clarinetists in the US who bites through their mouthpiece patch on a bi-weekly basis. They still make more money than I ever will and sound fantastic doing it, so who are we to say they're wrong?
You are welcome to your opinions, but when students are playing 4-6 hours a day in marching band with braces, they need a little relief from discomfort and I'm just trying to help provide that for them.
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Author: stringguy
Date: 2017-05-28 21:10
Back when I was in band the guy next to me (first chair and also the band director's son) used a small bit of cardboard over his lower teeth. It seemed to work, and he was a good player. I tried to do without and generally had a painful groove in my lower lip.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-05-28 22:19
orchestr wrote:
> With all due respect, "quit the clarinet" or "fix your
> embouchure" are not contributing to the conversation.
>
Agreed.
> when students are playing
> 4-6 hours a day in marching band with braces, they need a
> little relief from discomfort and I'm just trying to help
> provide that for them.
The standard protections over the lower front teeth, of course, won't help with braces on the upper teeth, which can dig into the lip all around, not just under the incisors. AFAIK, the only thing that's much help there is dental wax, and I don't know how much help it is. I think a problem would be that tape or denture cushion material might snag on the wires and pull something loose.
Karl
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Author: garciajr
Date: 2017-05-29 09:50
I use Johnson & Johnson Heavy Duty Waterproof Tape.
Fold it over on itself to cover up the adhesive and form it to your teeth.
Work really well for me.
Post Edited (2017-05-29 09:51)
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Author: Klose ★2017
Date: 2017-05-29 11:02
To me the best product available is this Japanese product. Now I use it all the time. It is specifically designed for this purpose.
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/actus/10000572/
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2017-05-29 18:51
You can still find Bay Lip Ease. I follow the directions and make a trifold strip with kitchen plastic wrap as a core. It is about 3/4" wide. I then cut it into 3/4" x 7/16" pieces or so. One pack lasts me for many years. It depends how sharp or crooked your teeth are.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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