Hi all..
Been reading through the forum for a couple of months(good and bad times).
This is my first post though,,and its a bit of a problem one!!
I've been learning to play the flute for about 2 months now,,love it,,a little bit of a late learner aswell,grand old age of 39,,but having fun..

The problem is though,over the past few weeks,,the area behind my top front teeth has become really sore,like a burning feeling,,kind of teeth to roof of mouth area. If i stop playing for a couple of days,its goes away,,but soon as i start again, it comes back,,been to the dentist,,and nothing wrong there..so i'm a little bit stumped!!
The only clue i have, is that this soreness has only happened since i've been doing the highter notes,,E5 nd F5 upwards( i think thats what they are called,the notes at the top of the bar lines). Wondering if it is to do with the increase in air pressure for these notes??

Would anyone have had this problem or know what might be causing this,,as its starting to get to me a bit,,no fun having a permanent sore mouth..

Many thanks
Mark68

I cannot see why the area behind your teeth could not be affected by your playing of higher octaves... (i.e or any octave)

Perhaps you are referring to the area between your front teeth and your upper lip?

Could it be you are having an allergic reaction to the flute metal? What type of flute are you playing?

<Added>

Sorry,

could not be affected = could be affected

Hi Jose Luis.

The soreness is behind the front top teeth going about 1/2 an inch to the roof of the mouth.
The flute is a new yahama 211,and never had any problems with reactions to metal before,,,,it only started when learning the upper octaves. It seems, (if i can describe it proberly),,bringing the jaw forward and making the hole in your lips smaller and blowing a bit harder,,seems to be putting pressure on that part of my mouth and making it sore,,almost as if it was flexing??? wondering if i could be tenseing the muscles there too much,,,also maybe the faster air flow going over that part??

I don't know,,but it certainly is sore,,must be doing something wrong i guess???

Mark68

it is possible that you are playing with a clenched embouchure, the lips should be pretty relaxed when you play so that you can focus the tone properly, also, don't play too long each day at the beginning, build your endurance gradually

good luck

I wonder if you went to a Dentist and have them take a look at it, if they could tell you what is going on.

I agree with Patrick, who said:

it is possible that you are playing with a clenched embouchure, the lips should be pretty relaxed when you play so that you can focus the tone properly, also, don't play too long each day at the beginning, build your endurance gradually

Many thanks for the replies and the welcome.
I had a lesson yesterday,first one for a couple of weeks due to work and other conmitments,but told my teacher about it,and could actually show her where it hurts,,she has no ideal why it's happening,,but said she will ask people she knows if they might have any ideal,,so will find out on that next week.
Plus also booked to see the dentist again in the new year,,so will have a better chat to them,and ask if they could have a better look...

If i find a reason for it, i post it,,might be of interest,incase it happens to anyone else...