 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clair
Date: 2002-10-08 22:44
Recently I've been experiencing a lot of pain whenever I play clarinet. The pain is mostly in my lower lip and there seems to be some visible irritation on the inside of my lip, but no more than I have noticed before since I practice quite a lot--at least two and a half hours a day. It's become so bad in a matter of days that I can only play a few notes before giving up because my mouth feels so sore, which is an absolute disaster because I have so much going on--auditions, concerto competition, lessons, challenges in wind ensemble....What have I done to myself? I simply can't afford to take any time off to let it heal, if it is an injury. This is strange because I've done nothing different and I do not believe I've practiced more than usual, but all of a sudden it's extremely painful for me to play. What's going on, and what can I do? Could it have something to do with getting my braces off? I greatly appreciate any help I can get...thanks.
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Author: Ron
Date: 2002-10-08 23:02
When you have a medical problem, and it seems that you do I strongly suggest that you pay a visit to your doctor or dentist!!
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Author: Clair
Date: 2002-10-08 23:05
oh I suppose I should add--I asked the dentist, and he had absolutely noooo idea even what a clarinet was or how it was played...somehow I doubt a doctor would be more knowledgeable in such matters...?
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-10-08 23:48
I did a similar thing to myself in school when I overpracticed (hours and hours), acquired a sore lip, then didn't allow time for it to heal for all the same reasons that you have. I solved my problem temporarily by using a teeth/lip patch. You can purchase them, but I simply cut about 1 inch square or so, wet it, and put it over my bottom teeth under my lip. I gave temporary relief. I still don't think that I was as crazy as the trumpet player who kept practicing with a split (big split) lip the week before his recital... Now, I just use a double lip embouchure when my facial muscles feel tired. My endurance is tremendous now because of the double lip embouchure.
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-10-09 00:29
This type of pain is quite serious and actually can get to a point where you have to stop playing for quite some time. I am not an expert, but it sounds like myofacial pain, and can lead to quite alot problems. I WOULD SAY YOU SHOULD NOT PLAY FOR A WEEK AND SEE A DOCTOR... Pain is a way of your body saying there is something wrong, and ignoring it could jeopardize any more playing for months. There are numerous types of myofacial pain, and some players feel pain when they are not playing. It can localize in the jaw and cause continous pain and should be seen to.
Best wishes
D dow
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Author: Won Kim
Date: 2002-10-09 02:04
I don't know if this is a right thing to do but what I do is using the cigar paper. I fold it and put it between my teeth and inside of my lower lip. It changes A LOT and I feel much less pain that way. Try it or correct me if I am doing something wrong.
-Won
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-10-09 02:33
Clair wrote:
>
> oh I suppose I should add--I asked the dentist, and he
> had absolutely noooo idea even what a clarinet was or how it
> was played...somehow I doubt a doctor would be more
> knowledgeable in such matters...?
Some are, some aren't ... if you see your dentist, bring along your clarinet. Just because they don't play doesn't mean they can't see some possible problems.
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Author: Clairgirl
Date: 2002-10-09 02:37
I think i get this too... it seems that after a while all that practicing and rehearsing catches up with me and the inside of my lower lip really hurts! I think it is just how my teeth are... a little sharp, so i usually use johnson and johnson waterproof medical tape folded over into a little rectangle to protect my lip. I would say, pace yourself, but in order for it to heal completely you would need to take maybe the weekend off. Sometimes just letting it get better improves your playing since you aren't wincing in pain. I use campho phenique on it to make it feel less sore in the meantime.
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Author: jack
Date: 2002-10-09 06:18
Is the pain localized where the lower teeth contact the inside of the lip? If so, is the skin broken? If so, the problem is easily understood and solved. Their have been discussions here before about lip guards fabricated from various materials. If a cut in the lip is the problem, I or others can point you to those discussions or repeat the solutions. Good luck. Jack
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-09 15:19
"Could it have something to do with getting my braces off?"
Maybe--possibly your embouchure is reseating itself and is not yet used to the "new feel." Back off on your practice routine and let your "braceless" set adjust slowly. Another source of your problem may be if you recently switched to a harder reed strength (like you used before your braces, for ex) or a new mouthpiece. Any change in your set up can cause short term trama for your mouth.
BTW--this is just another suggestion to the other posings also offering great advice for you. If pain persists, see your dentist or medical professional (and take along your clarinet so they know what you are talking about). Good luck--playing clarinet is tough enough without having to endure pain.
Also--LOUD SOUNDS!!! (brass, drums, amplifiers, any loud intrument next to your ear, etc) This can bring on inner ear damage before you even realize it is happening. Another "plug" for using ear plugs to protect you hearing while you are young and before the damage has been done. My tenitus (from too many band classes and overly-amplified gigs) is now sometimes so loud that I cannot hear birds singing outside the window or understand the TV at normal volume levels. Just an "old geezer" who wishes he had it to do "all over again"--and this time use ear plugs!!!!
(sorry--I just had to throw this in--hope your practicing goes ok)
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Author: Erin
Date: 2002-10-09 16:11
I had a teacher recommend rubbing vodka on an irritated inner lip once...but I think he had bigger problems...he suggested soaking worn-out reeds in vodka--might not have fixed the reed, but could have made you feel better about what you are doing:)
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-10-09 17:44
My dentist removed the sharp edges on my lower teeth with abrasive paper, eliminating the problem. Good luck!
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Author: Jon Hill
Date: 2002-10-09 18:57
The standard professional clarinetist's answer is to keep a package of cigarette papers in his/her instrument case. Fold one sheet over
double, wet it and position it over your lower front teeth.
That will take the edge off and allow you to heal while you still
play. It may feel a little strange at first, but you'll soon get
used to playing this way and it will increase your endurance
remarkably.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2002-10-09 22:22
As a practicing dentist, who has an interest in orthodontics, I can't really diagnose from your description, what the source of your trouble really is. I have a suggestion however, that may alleviate your symptoms. At the end of active orthodontic treatment orthodontists remove the active appliances and usually provide passive retainers for a period to stabilise the new tooth position. Personally I use a mix of plate type retainers and "blowdown" or vacuum formed retainers. As a player myself, I like to provide lower vacuum formed retainers for my clarinettist and saxophonist patients - even if they are just for the lower incisors (front 4 teeth). This acts as a wonderful lip buffer, retains teeth under playing conditions, effectively smoothes the incisal (top) edges of the teeth, but also opens the embouchure a fraction and is invisible.
So, I suggest you return to your orthodontist and explain with the aid of your mouthpiece, the problems you are having. He/she might be able to diagnose the underlying problem (such as a small burst blood vessel or a build up of keratinised (hardened)tissue). You might mention that, from a dental colleague on your BB, you've had a suggestion of a very small clear retainer as a lip buffer.
Good luck with all your playing and I hope you get on as well with the buffer as I and my quartet do !
Also see previous threads on this subject
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