The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Biting and lip pain

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2018-08-29 07:30

I agree with Ken.

And it can be a bit intoxicating to pretty much get the sounds and results you want but doing that while using a really physical set up. It is ultimately self destructive and will eventually catch up with you. You should always make the goal to find the softest possible combination of reed and mouthpiece that gets the results that you find wonderful. Trust me, as much of my first 20 years were down the wrong path, you can find the inverse just as intoxicating..........and the upshot is that this correct approach will get you results beyond what you are getting now.....guaranteed!!!

That said, you may also have very uneven and perhaps even razor sharp lower teeth. You may (no matter your approach) need to use some form of damper between your lower lip and lower teeth. I have settled on a small patch of leather. I use the rectangular patches that come on blue jeans (just use a seam ripper or Xacto blade to get them off). You need to find the right thickness though......experimentation is a must. Too thick and it won't fold well over the teeth. Too thin, and it won't protect your lip in a meaningful way. The great news is that it comes free with your jeans (you must pick your jeans based on the right thickness of patch......small sacrifice to make) and each patch will last a very very long time. I get over a year out of one patch (but I do have three in rotation and leave in a baggy in the case to maintain moisture from day to day).

................Paul Aviles

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics