Wet or dry?

    
Wet or dry?    17:50 on Wednesday, January 24, 2007          

jose_luis
(2369 points)
Posted by jose_luis

I normally wet my lips and the part below the lower lip before starting to play. I do so because it makes it easier for me to adjust the flute position in case I need it.

However, it looks that this is something unusual or possibly not convenient.

What do you think?
Do you play keeping this part dry?
Should I change this habit?


Re: Wet or dry?    17:54 on Wednesday, January 24, 2007          

Flutist06
(1545 points)
Posted by Flutist06

Do you mean where the flute rests when you talk about wetting the part just below the lip? I generally try to keep my lips moist by keeping a little water around if I'll be playing for a long time, but I never wet the area of skin that the flute rests upon. I think it's a little unusual and possibly inconvenient, depending on when and where you happen to be playing, but if it works for you and doesn't cause the flute to slide around more than you want, there's really no reason to change the habit. It's not going to do any harm, and if it helps you feel comfortable and make the adjustments you want, it may actually be beneficial.


Re: Wet or dry?    18:02 on Wednesday, January 24, 2007          

jose_luis
(2369 points)
Posted by jose_luis

Yes, I mean the skin part where the flute rests when playing


Re: Wet or dry?    06:52 on Thursday, January 25, 2007          

Bilbo
(1340 points)
Posted by Bilbo

MOst people try to keel this area dry. They may even put something on the flute to prevent movement. (Movement changes tone/tuning) They may use a postage stamp or some other sticky thing. They also sometimes have the lip plate engraved with the intent of making motion more difficult.

That being written, I would also say that there can be a great deal of control gained from the amount of pressure being controlled on the lip plate. Too much can influence tone and tuning.

Also, in the winter I tend to use more lip balm to prevent chapped lips. They can wreck a tone.


Re: Wet or dry?    21:06 on Thursday, January 25, 2007          

Account Closed
(281 points)
Posted by Account Closed

I've run into the problem that, when I wet the part of my chin the flute sits on, I get sores under my bottom lip. I think it's just a combination of the water always resting against the skin and then drying there and the fact I practice for long periods of time.

Because of the discomfort after a little while, I've found a light layer of lip balm (not anything super sweet or obnoxiously flavored) over my bottom lip and a light dab where the flute rests helps much better than the water. Plus, you can just wipe it away from the flute with a soft cloth later instead of the water drying and forming a sort of watermark on the metal.

(Plus, after a few practices using the lip balm, my lips are softer! Added bonus!)


Re: Wet or dry?    21:44 on Thursday, January 25, 2007          

Account Closed
(3248 points)
Posted by Account Closed

I have my lip plates engraved which I think helps a little bit.


Re: Wet or dry?    10:13 on Friday, January 26, 2007          

jose_luis
(2369 points)
Posted by jose_luis

Thanks you all for your kind answers.

I have to travel abroad for two weeks because of family problems and I will not be able to visit the site frequently. But I will, as soon as I am back.

Keep it funny and enjoy!.



Re: Wet or dry?    12:38 on Friday, January 26, 2007          

Patrick
(1743 points)
Posted by Patrick

I shave then put a drop of crazy glue


Re: Wet or dry?    21:10 on Friday, January 26, 2007          

Account Closed
(281 points)
Posted by Account Closed

I hope you travels go safe and that everything works out alright, jose_luis! We'll all be waiting for you when you come back!

<Added>

oops. I meant "you're" instead of you... sorry.. ^_^


Re: Wet or dry?    22:27 on Friday, January 26, 2007          

Account Closed
(3248 points)
Posted by Account Closed

Jose_luis have fun in your travels.

Micron, what do us women do? I love your idea but I just don't have enough chin hairs!


Re: Wet or dry?    05:41 on Saturday, January 27, 2007          

Bilbo
(1340 points)
Posted by Bilbo

my..my...
Women could have large circular shaped clamps (rings) embedded on each side of the lips where the head joint could be placed accurately.


Re: Wet or dry?    13:56 on Saturday, January 27, 2007          

kippsix
(333 points)
Posted by kippsix

Oh my, the visuals on that!!!!

All very good ideas. If we brainstorm we could perhaps take care of other issues by taking it even further.

Maybe.... we could do away with the flute stand, and just hang the flute from our "piercings" on various other strategic areas.

or...


Re: Wet or dry?    16:49 on Saturday, January 27, 2007          

Account Closed
(281 points)
Posted by Account Closed

I think, at this point, jose_luis (as well as the rest of us...) would rather have the original problem than solve it by screwing things into our head!!! Hehe...

If we included all these ideas into a musician's movie, we would have a horror story on our hands!


Re: Wet or dry?    02:38 on Tuesday, January 30, 2007          

YamahaYFL381JFK
(77 points)
Posted by YamahaYFL381JFK

Don't do it, I found the best tone that you can produce is when the lower lip in contact with the lip plate is dry. I found that when playing a long piece of music, I tend to perspire specially if the room is warm and the moisture on the lip plate will make my flute lost its sound and ruin the music! I wonder how the flutists in marching and military bands play on a hot day??


Re: Wet or dry?    07:02 on Tuesday, January 30, 2007          

Zevang
(491 points)
Posted by Zevang

jose_luis, now seriously... When I shave I leave a small portion below my lower lip unshaved, just the amount enough to hold the lip plate. I've noticed that when I shaved that portion the lip plate tended to stick to my skin. Later, after sweating, it happened just the opposite, when it sliped easily. Both situations were uncomfortable, so I tried once to leave that portion unshaved and it worked for me... The hair doesn't let the plate stick and helps absorving and dissipating sweat.

cheers,
Zevang


   








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