First of all I HATE my braces! I`ve had them for over 2 years now but it`s still hard for me to play with them. I`ve had to go from a Vandoren 3 reed to a Vandoren 2 1/2. Anyone else have this problem? Can I remedy it? And is it a difficult adjustment to play when they come off?

Trust me- dont downsize the strength of your reed!
It is really hard to get back up if you`ve been playing with a softer reed, especially when you get better, because then you will try to upgrade, and your whole technique will be affected..........
just try to tighten your embouchure (only after you put wax over the problem areas in your braces) and you should be okay.......
if you need anymore advice about the clarinet, i will help you.....

The first two years I played clarinet I had braces. The only real obsticle is playing notes higher than (3rd octave) C. After a while you grow acoustomed to it. Of course you have another reason to look foward to getting your braces off

~TheBard

at my orthodontist, they had these plastic things you could put over your top and/or bottom braces when you played an instrument. They work really well and are a major relief from the pain. Also, I hated my braces too...trust me...they ARE a pain. But then again, I got mine off about 3 weeks ago...and I am soooo happy with the outcome. I tell my parents everyday how happy i am that i was able to get braces. Oh yeah, and the part about getting your braces off and then trying to play clarinet...I forgot I had my braces off the 1st time i tried to play without braces on, and it basically just *clicked.* Best Wishes!

the first five years five years i played i had braces, just tell your othodontist the problem and he/she might can smooth it out specificly for your ambucher. Good luck

Hi
I`ve being playing the clarinet for 2 years i am in the high school band playing level 4 and I do struggle because I`am behind. Well iI might being getting braces because i have a over bite well I becaome worse and how long will it take to get used to it and become better.

I just got braces last Friday, so it`s been 2 days. I sort of notice a difference. It`s not all that bad, but my sound is definately worse. I`ve only had them for 2 days though, keep that in mind, andI`m sure I will get used to it. For now I`ll just do everything I can to get them off sooner.

i wore braces b4 and play the clarinet, and you can reduce the size of the reed b/c when you get braces your teeth gets really sore sometimes but only reduce the size of the reed for 2 or three weeks v/c by then you`ll get used 2 your braces and your teeth will feel better, the hard part is also when you remove your braces dont worry you`ll b fine

My whole family has had braces except my sister, and we all played wind instruments. There are soft plastic covers you can get from your orthodontist called lip bumpers. They fit over top of the braces all the way around the front. They are clear and are not very noticable. Some people I know wore them all the time.

This is how obsessed I am on my clarinet, I got my braces on about 3 months ago, It was like the next day and I already was trying to play. I was was surprised but I could do it and it didn`t even really bug me except of course my mouth was sore but playing didn`t real bug it. Just keep trying, ya I`ve heard about those lip bumpers. Ask your orthodontist I`m sure he/she will know.

i learned to play with braces but i assure you its easier than you think. when they come off there will be no change... unless of course you`ve been doing things incorrectly but that is unlikely. braces never affected me whether they were on or off.

i have had braces for 3 years now,but I have just started playing the clarinet about 7 months ago.i am having one problem though, I am always cracking my reeds. I need some help! Reply.

yea i got my braces on a year or so ago and i hated it. My band teacher, Niles Dening told me he needed a bass clarinet so i decided i would play it because he said that it would be more tolerant with braces. Maybe that`s a thought

well,
you can put wax over your braces when you play -- ask your orthodontist when u go, it should be free. i had this problem too for my first two years. no, it isn`t a big adjustment. i got mine off after having them since third grade in August 2002 (my 8th grade year), and it felt weird to have them off, but u don`t notice it when you`re playing. it feels soo good not to have them. my tone improved almost instantly, but it`s not that big of a difference. so, don`t worry.
Jen

I just got my braces a week ago today and I tried playing my clarinet. It indeed is a little bit different u dont sound as well as u did but that`s expected but my problem is that for my bottom lip the metal keeps making lines, impressions, and cuts on the inside of my lip. So what can u do about ur bottom lip? I have some wax but it doesnt work that well on the bottom as it should. so any1 have any suggestions?