Sore lower lip

[jeanniep412]

Every day, after I practice, my inner lower lip is swollen and sore. I've tried not biting so hard but can't produce any sound this way. Also, I get a lot of squeaking when I tongue notes, especially in the upper register. I play a Yamaha Alto and use LaVos med-soft reeds.

Anyone have any suggestions? Or should I just get a teacher?
I appreciate any advice. :cry:

[Gandalfe]

You can get a book from the library or see an instructor. I recommend that latter because learning to play incorrectly will make it harder for you to succeed. Good luck to you.

[telkim]

I believe you play a too open mouthpiece. What is your mouthpiece?

[jeanniep412]

I started with an instructor in 2001 for about 6 months and since then have been trying to go it alone. I thought I was doing pretty good for a while so I bought a Jody Jazz #5 mouthpiece which I liked but got too many squeaks. I then bought a Selmer C** and have been using it since. I guess I have developed some bad habits and you're right, they're hard to break, but I feel that I cannot improve or concentrate on the music until I can correct these problems. My biggest hurdle is trying to play with an open throat, because my tone sounds strained most of the time. :?

[jeanniep412]

Also, I got turned off on the instructor thing because I was paying 40 bucks an hour and it seemed that as soon as I got set up, asked a few questions, and played a few lines, my teacher would jump up and say "time's up" and then go and get the next student. I did'nt even have time to put my sax away properly because I was rushed out. :x

[Keith]

Wow, you were only paying 40 bucks an hour? I started about the same time as you did. I started at now defuncted Mars. I pay almost 60 an hour. The teacher is not top of the line but he is good. Jean IMHO you really need a good teacher especially when you are learning the basic. You need a solid foundation to build a big house, the same goes for saxophone. You can't give up on all the instructors just because of one bad experience. Shop around, ask questions, you can get a pretty go idea how a teacher is by asking other students.
After Mars closed, almost all the student followed my teacher to another music store and now we are paying 10 less for on hour.

[Mikie F.]

Get a teacher. If you happen to make a bad habbit, it could really slow you down further down the road. Most likely you are putting your mouth in a position, which it shouldn't be in, making it sore. Although it's hard to tell from forums. :-/

[Gandalfe]

Jeannie, find another instructor. Mine cost $20 an hour and I see him once a month. He listens, recommends great stuff, let's me borrow books and CDs and is a keeper. You too can find someone that will work with you and not the clock.

[jeanniep412]

Thanks for all the great advice. I will try to find a good instructor and break my bad habits. I've also been reading Paul Coats' articles on embouchure and others that give me some things to work on. This forum is a great source of information from good folks like you that sincerely try to help others. :D

[Vortex]

Definately get a teacher. Whenever you feel like you've learned enough, just quit and continue on your own. Also, regarding your mouthpiece setup, you might want to go to a slightly smaller facing and/or different strength reeds. For a beginner, I'd recommend a smaller facing (Selmer C or C*) and lower strength reeds (if you like LaVoz, probably 2 or 2 1/2). Look around on ebay, prices there are considerably lower than at music shops.

[jeanniep412]

Thanks Vortex. I just ordered a Runyon Model 22 (#4) and am going to try a softer reed. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Troy]

On the old site, there were several suggestions for sore lips. A tooth guard, like the ones athletes use, some cigarette papers folded/molded over the teeth...and I think one person even had a dentist file the teeth a bit smoother. You might try these remedies, too.

[ZenBen]

I have found that the best remedy for a sore lower lip is to slighty roll the lower lip out in front of your lower teeth instead of rolling your lip over your bottom teeth. Use the muscles (?) around your mouth and not your lower jaw to get your support. Find a teacher who uses this embouchure and get him (or her) to show you how to do it.

[Paul Coats]

The C** is a moderate .070"-.071" tip opening, and should not be a problem, esp with the Lavoz MS reeds. I don't think the problem lies there. Your Jody Jazz has about the same tip opening.

I would suggest you look at my article on Tone Production, and also read Beginner's Corner 3 and 4. These will help you to form a correct embouchure, which is quite easy.

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/tone_production.html

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/Beginner_Corner3.html

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/Beginner_Corner4.html

[eagle 0 four]

My teacher nags me every lesson about this...don't bit your lip...what you need to do is tighten the corners of your mouth and make sure you have enough mouthpiece. i think the general rule is slip a piece of paper between the reed and mp...you should have your mp as far in your mouth as the paper slid down between...this will prevent any air leaks...also try not to let air leak out of the corners of your mouth (i've found this to happen a lot towards the end of my practice when my mouth is getting tired. if you feel like you have pins in the corners of your mouth when you finish playing you are doing it correctly. but of course getting a teacher is best and each one will give you different advice.

[jeanniep412]

Just an update. My sore lip problem is gone. I have had no trouble since I received my Runyon Model 22 (#4). Also, with this mouthpiece, I have eliminated my squeaking problem.

Paul, thanks for your articles on embouchure...etc. They have been very helpful.