Recently, after long hours of practice. I've been experiencing numbness in my lower lip area. I've been playing 9 years and never experienced this before. Also, I'm beginning to develope a dent in my lower lip from where my teeth rest. Anyone that has any advice or similiar occurrences, feedback is appreciated.
Numbness
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I assume this is on alto playing classical music. If it were on tenor playing jazz, I would say you are biting too much. Otherwise, loosen up a little and engage in a little kissing therapy;-)
Seriously, my bottom teeth are a little uneven, so when I played lots of classical alto (must have been in school), I would cut a small piece of denture pad and cover my lower teeth to protect my lower lip. Worked great. Part of the problem may be your emboucher muscles are getting tired, so you start to bite more to keep things going. In time, your lip should get tougher and emboucher should strengthen, which is better than a lip protector.
Seriously, my bottom teeth are a little uneven, so when I played lots of classical alto (must have been in school), I would cut a small piece of denture pad and cover my lower teeth to protect my lower lip. Worked great. Part of the problem may be your emboucher muscles are getting tired, so you start to bite more to keep things going. In time, your lip should get tougher and emboucher should strengthen, which is better than a lip protector.
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Sounds like biting too much. Coming from the dreaded "clarinet embouchure", I had some problems with too much biting in the beginning, but once I discovered the importance of taking more mouthpiece this problem solved itself. The smaller the sax, the higher the risk of excessive biting, but even on soprano you can eliminate the problem by making sure you take enough of the mpc, IMHO.
thank you.
honestly, i'm starting to "reform" my classical embouchure on alto in the quest for a better sound. i think it all began when i started to pursue the whole "mouthpiece at a 22 degree angle when in your mouth" playing position. i thought that it could have been biting, being that my lip was becoming numb. also i think that long hours of practice are beginning to wear on my chops. it's normally around the end of my practice day when this occurrs. i'm thankful for your help being that i won't see my teacher until tuesday. the denture pad idea is great.
honestly, i'm starting to "reform" my classical embouchure on alto in the quest for a better sound. i think it all began when i started to pursue the whole "mouthpiece at a 22 degree angle when in your mouth" playing position. i thought that it could have been biting, being that my lip was becoming numb. also i think that long hours of practice are beginning to wear on my chops. it's normally around the end of my practice day when this occurrs. i'm thankful for your help being that i won't see my teacher until tuesday. the denture pad idea is great.
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