I just got full braces and now I can`t get a sound out of my flute. I have auditions for Honor Band tonight and no matter haow hard I try, I can`t get a sound. I use to have a beautiful sound. Do you know of anything I can do?

Do you mean no sound AT ALL or do you mean a poor and "blurred" sound?

Hi!
One of my good friends and fellow flute player had the same problem. Our band teacher told her to put vaseline (just a little bit) on her braces. She tried it and it seemed to help a little bit. If it doesn`t work for you don`t fret. Although it may not change immediately, your mouth will get used to the change and eventually your sound will get back to normal. I hope it helps!

Hi,

I had the same problem when i got my braces on i couldnt play my flute and i was very upset because i have exams the next week. I used vasaline and heaps of practice, your braces have moved your lips in a different posistion to what your used to playing, I got it back with practice to perfect sound and so will you. Keep trying you`ll get there.

My name is cheeky, but I am serious, I am an oboist and I understand your problem because I have tried playing flute and have spoken with orthodontists who are violinists.

Obviously your embouchure will be impossible to attain, as air is not channelled effectively over the braces and wires.

It is worse if your condition was underbite as opposed to overbite.

Consult your orthodontist ASAP. I would recommend placing softened, non-stick, chewing gum over the upper braces to seal the airflow. The pressure of the mouthpiece on the lower pallette will automatically seal any problems there.

I was able to learn that wearing braces has no effect on violinists, and now I understand why. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I`ll try to be brief, just want to acknowledge 3 more things. The original posting I now see was months ago - I hadn`t noticed. You probably have solved everything by now.

Second, I spoke to one of my orthdontist friends again and he says the correct terminology is posts and wires, for braces, and I must not give "professional" advice on that topic. You should speak with your own treatment practitioner. Well, I did sort of say that.

Finally, he said that the tightening of braces can cause sufficient discomfort, pain and possible muscle spasms in the neck to aggravate violinists as well. He talked about using shoulder rests. This is not within the original topic, but I just thought I`d admit that I was corrected.

He also knows quite a bit about Mercedes Benz automobiles, if anyone needs to know. But I don`t see that topic here. Apparently you can get good fidelity from your classical CD`s on their audio systems. Take care.

You should practice long tones and be patient with your sound and it will eventualy come back to you having braces is a major change into playing your flute good luck.