Playing flute with braces

    
Playing flute with braces    22:21 on Thursday, May 21, 2015          

Galaxies
(1 point)
Posted by Galaxies

So, I'm a pretty committed flute player. I recently found out that I need to get braces in the next six months or so. (My teeth are pretty bad, so Invisalign isn't an option.)
My question is, will I still be able to get a good tone/reach high notes with braces? I've been told that I have a very good tone, and I don't want to lose that. I'm also planning on trying out for our school's more advanced class, which means the expectations will be a lot higher. I've been really anxious about this lately, and I was hoping someone might have some advice.
Thanks!


Re: Playing flute with braces    16:28 on Monday, May 25, 2015          

arima-kousei
(3 points)
Posted by arima-kousei

You will most likely have the same tone.

I have braces and it took me about a week or two to get used to playing. Once you adjust to the braces, you should be fine.


Re: Playing flute with braces    08:02 on Thursday, July 16, 2015          

Lizibet
(3 points)
Posted by Lizibet

I agree 100%. You will be able to play just as well with braces as you play without them. It will take a little while to get used to the braces themselves, but it's a pretty fast adjustment.

I had a disaster as a sophomore in high school - fell on bleachers and broke both my jaws and knocked eleven teeth loose, two totally out. It was the day before marching band festival, in which I was the piccolo soloist for the Baby Elephant Walk - major bummer. My band director made adjustments since I was out for the season. Ten weeks later, just two weeks after getting all the medical/dental hardware out of my mouth/jaws, I won first chair at tryouts in our A (SENIOR) band, and first chair in all-state band, too.

You can get used to almost anything if you really want to play!


Re: Playing flute with braces    03:59 on Tuesday, December 29, 2015          

snowplum
(1 point)
Posted by snowplum

Here's a helpful link: http://jennifercluff.blogspot.com/2006/08/flute-students-dealing-with-braces.html
I've heard that the tape trick has worked for a good number of people - don't just use regular tape though. Also, putting wax on the braces can help to avoid broken skin
If it helps, remember that Jeanne Baxtresser had to deal with braces and flute at one point and things worked out pretty well for her!


   




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