 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aja
Date: 2007-01-16 06:04
My girlfriend has lately been experiencing some serious, vibrating pain in her teeth when she plays the clarinet. She's tried a few things, but it's gotten to the point where it depresses her so much that she doesn't have the emotional energy to deal with the situation anymore. I'm trying to do what I can to help her.
Does anyone know of any possible solutions to this that won't require her to alter her embouchure? I asked her about a mouthpiece cushion but she said that only helps the top teeth, and it's her bottom teeth that are the big problem. Is there a cushion available for the bottom of the mouthpiece? Are there alternative mouthpieces that might be gentler on her teeth?
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately I don't know too much about the subject, but thank you very much for any suggestions!
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-01-16 07:19
See your dentist ASAP.
Tooth problems should never happen, especially not on the lower teeth that are protected by the lips.
--
Ben
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-01-16 07:27
Aja- "Are there alternative mouthpieces that might be gentler on her teeth?" Alternative to what? What is she using? What kind of reeds?
If the pain is so severe that she can't play then she should go to a dentest.
I had this problem in the very begining of college. I will take a big leap and assume that she was making the same mistakes I was in my advice (even though I have no way of knowing how she's playing at all).
In short, she is pushing her jaw too hard against the reed. she is using the strength of her jaw/teeth to control the reed. I suspect that the had a severe indentation in her lower lip, right where the teeth touch. This "pushing" happens when there is something preventing the sound from being produced easily; we push more and pinch more to make the reed closer to the mouthpiece and the response easier.
"Does anyone know of any possible solutions to this that won't require her to alter her embouchure?" No. Her embrochure is the problem; basically,
she's not using it.
Assuming that the clarinet is in good repair-
get softer reeds;
practice and pay attention on using the muscles of the face, not the jaw;
try some different mouthpieces;
USE MORE AIR and concentrate on using the AIR to control the sound, not the mouth- for me, the mouth only holds the air from leaking and does only slight adjustment of the sound... the air is where most of the control is.
give it a try... good luck,
-S
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Author: sherman
Date: 2007-01-16 19:09
Many clarinetists use a small shaped piece of paper over their lower teeth. Also, a dentist can make you a nice well-fitting cover for the lower teeth, a nice gold one is kind of fun. Others I have known have their lower teeth shaped and edges that cut eliminated by a dentist, but that can get dangerous. Still others will say one must form a callous on the lower lip, however I have never subscribed to that idea.
I have told many students that if we were meant to play the clarinet, perhaps we should have born with one aready in the mouth, but alas, we were not, and the mouth doesn't like the interference. Nor do dentists like clarinetist students too well either, because the embouchure tends to push out the top and push in the lower upsetting the bite, especially bothersome to the parent who has paid (or is paying) 4 or 5 very large in order to straighten junior's teeth.
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Author: Aja
Date: 2007-01-17 06:04
I asked her more about the circumstances and such. She said it feels like a throbbing pain in the roots of her bottom teeth. She said she uses a Vandoren 4 blue box reed (though sometimes uses 3 1/2). Her mouthpiece is a Vandoren M15. Her mouthpiece used to be a Selmer HS** about two and a half years ago, and that did not hurt, but she also started playing a lot more since she got the M15, so it's not necessarily the mouthpiece problem.
She commented that she used to use a plastic mouthguard thing that basically just fit over her bottom teeth. That worked at first, but eventually her teeth started hurting again, so she stopped using it.
She also happened to comment that high notes hurt more.
Any other thoughts? I really want to help her because it seems like the stress about this thing is getting way too much for her. Did any of those details help?
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-01-17 08:19
Actually, that does help. Her symptoms are just the same as mine were. People that do this usually have a general tension. Does she gnash her teeth during sleep?? I'll bet that her fingers arms or shoulders also have a bit of discomfort, too.
what about the lip?? She has a deep mark, right?
To fix this problem,
- Take a break. Don't play for 3 or 4 days.
- Use softer reeds, 3.5 or 3.
- USE MORE AIR.
- Practice long tones. Don't worry so much about the quality of the tone right now, worry about the feeling in you embrochure. Be sure that you are really using the power from the muscles and not the jaw. The muscles will get tired quickly- this is a good thing; it means that you are really using the musicles. When you get tired stop, take a few minutes break and get back to practice. Over time, your muscles will develop real strength; it will take a few months.
- Don't wear high-heels... ever. Flat shoes are best
- Practice is small bits (not more than 1 hour) of time.
- Relaxed mouth excercise- hold the clarinet as if you were about to play. Open your mouth so that only the top teeth are touching the mouthpiece. Close your mouth just enough so that your lips seal around the mouthpiece. That is all the pressure you need.
I think this should fix it.
-S
Post Edited (2007-01-17 09:45)
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-01-17 14:19
Aja,
Please encourage her to see a dentist. A consultation typically isn't very expensive and it is the only way to get the expert opinion that she needs.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: Aja
Date: 2007-01-18 18:38
skygardener, thank you so much! I think your suggestions really might help her fix this. I truly appreciate your insight. Many thanks!
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