 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Killer_Clarinet
Date: 2021-07-29 09:23
https://www.reddit.com/r/Clarinet/comments/otpau4/would_i_have_to_use_double_lip_embouchure_with_my/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
I posted this on reddit and I would like to hear what some of you think about this.
In the picture, you can see that my front right tooth makes contact with the mouthpiece while there is a few millimeter gap between my front left tooth and the mouthpiece and the tooth behind it is what touches the mouthpiece.
I was wondering what embouchure adjustments I could make to counter the uneven pressure, or if switching to a permanent double-lip embouchure would be a better fix.
Thanks
Post Edited (2021-07-29 09:30)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2021-07-29 11:37
Double lip is one possibility. You could try a covering that would slip over your top teeth and provide a straight surface to rest on the mouthpiece. Your dentist could mold one or you could experiment with athletic tooth guards sold in sporting goods stores.
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-07-29 15:41
Is it manifesting an obvious problem?
I don't see this as being any different that having two uneven front teeth. In that scenario the mouthpiece will sit sort of "cocked to one side" slightly and you just rotate the mouthpiece in the barrel so that the clarinet sits at the proper angle to your fingers.
So unless it is causing a problem, I wouldn't worry about it.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2021-07-29 20:23
My two front teeth were uneven, though the difference amounted to considerably less than the gap your picture shows. The unevenness was an impediment while I was learning to use double-lip embouchure, because almost all of what pressure there was on the inside of my upper lip was focused under a single tooth, the longest one. That tooth made the lip very sore at that point.
I asked my dentist about it, and he was very happy to grab a little air-powered grinder and grind down the end of the longer tooth to match the height of the other one. It took about a minute, and I don't recall him even charging me. (He seemed glad for the chance to perform such an alteration.) It made playing double lip much less painful, right from that point on.
Your situation is somewhat different, but ask your dentist.
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Author: Matt74
Date: 2021-07-29 20:38
I would make the judgement based more on your experience, rather that what "should" be. I'm sure there have been LOTS of good clarinetists with crooked teeth.
IMPO the exact orientation of the mouthpiece isn't entirely critical. "Rules" about position and things are good to think about, but the most important thing is that it works for you with your body. Not everyone is the same.
I don't think that uneven pressure across the top matters at all as far as sound production goes. If the horn is stable, and you can control the reed with the lower lip/teeth it's probably ok. Your teeth will probably be hard on your mouthpieces, and they may ache a bit if you are playing A LOT.
You can play with the horn a little out from your body, if it works better for you. A lot of players play with the clarinet angled a bit to the right side, making the mouthpiece crooked right to left.
My lower teeth are crowded (even after braces). One of my front two lower teeth is a little behind the others, right under the reed. My mouthpiece always sits twisted a bit in my mouth. In the world of saxophone Kenny G plays out of the corner of his mouth, and David Sanborn plays with the mouthpiece almost vertical (at least for saxophone, I'm guessing he has an overbite).
- Matthew Simington
Post Edited (2021-07-29 20:59)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2021-07-29 21:17
I have one front tooth a little crooked and my dentist did the same thing Philip Caron did. Same operation that took less than a minute. Might want to try this and then use a mouthpiece patch. Apply the Law of Parsimony.
HRL
PS I don't think he charged me either or when he took out a rough spot in a filling on one of my molars.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2021-07-29 22:33
From the pic it looks as if there may be contact with the next tooth over, which may help it balance and feel more even. In my case, my two front teeth are uneven and it was a problem for years, affecting the amount of mouthpiece and where my teeth contacted it, angle of the instrument, uneven pressure on the reed and created some playing problems. A number of years back I started playing double lip (for other reasons) and it just made things much more comfortable for me.
BUT, that was my experience. It is likely different in each situation. You might try some type of dental mold as suggested above or double lip and see if it helps or feels comfortable.
As some have suggested, if you results are good, don't worry about what it looks like or "should be". Back in college I knew a flutist who was a good player and sounded lovely. One evening in the practice rooms I found her struggling to play and in tears. Her teacher had observed that the opening in her lips was off center and was insisting she needed to change it and re form her embouchure. She was playing in from of the mirror trying to make it "look right" and having a miserable time. I did not make sense to me then or now
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2021-07-30 01:40
Attachment: IMG_6524.jpg (1616k)
While my top teeth are relatively straight, I'm in a similar boat to Matt74, where my bottom teeth are a bit crooked and it results in all of my clarinets and saxes sitting at a bit of an angle in my mouth. It isn't particularly noticeable watching me play, in my case, but my teeth marks on mouthpieces are almost always a bit crooked.
I think, for the most part, the position of the top teeth only matters to the extent that it allows you to put your bottom lip and teeth where they need to be to control the instrument. I don't think they are doing much but giving the lower jaw something to push against.
Post Edited (2021-07-30 01:41)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-07-30 21:47
If your mouthpiece is making contact with two teeth (not necessarily adjacent ones) and isn't rocking about sideways whilst playing which it would if resting on only one point of contact, then there's no real need to do anything. If you're concerned about uneven wear on the mouthpiece beak, then use a mouthpiece patch to protect it.
I don't think double lip will be of any benefit and if anything, it could be far more detrimental with the uneven pressure which will make your lip really sore or could even do damage given the small contact area which will concentrate the pressure on the inside of your top lip.
I'd opt to use a mouthpiece patch as that will offer better grip and also protect the mouthpiece as well as patches can easily be replaced when they wear out.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2021-08-01 18:49
I asked my dentist to even my bite on the ligature as I leave large scratches on the top. He filed down one tooth. No further scratches and I have a better grip. I also use bite pads. Should have worn braces or retainers growing up. I find myself inserting the mouthpiece further in.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2021-08-02 02:11
One solution would be braces. Yes it is a big step and not inconsiderable expense. I had very crooked front teeth which became progressively worse over time. I initially tried to overcome the problem by twisting the MP, but eventually the teeth became so crooked that only one tooth made contact with the MP. And there were issues of one upper tooth hitting the corresponding lower tooth, so I eventually took the plunge and had braces. Now my teeth are straight, and both upper front teeth contact the MP. There were days when I was having too much pain to want to play, but they were few and far between.
Just my thoughts......
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