I`ve been debating about getting braces for the past year or so and am wondering if it will affect my ombouchure at all. I`ve been playing clarinet for 5 years and am currently 2nd chair for concert season... so does anyone know how long it might take me to learn to adjust?? Thanks lots for the help!
--Kelsey

I started out playing clarinet with braces although I`ve only been playing for three years it is easier to play without them but I think it took me about 2 or 3 months to get used to playing with braces but I guess it`s easier to start out with them and work your ombeture around to find that "sweet spot" but it could take you longer because I was half way there I already had braces to start with and was already used to wearing them. For the first bit the braces themselves feel weird but you eventually get used to it I played for about a year with braces and then I got them off for the last 2 years after having the whole process of braces since I was 6 1/2 now Im 14 but if you want braces the results were worth the pain I had a severe overbite and at rest my teeth stuck out of my lips like a rabbit so you might not need them as long it varies by person though I`m glad I`d had braces for 5 years already before I had started playing