Ever since I got my braces fixed (train tracks), I can't actually play the flute properly. (Got my braces at the end of October)

All my notes are awful and they fuzz at the bottom. I always get cuts in my bottom jaw and then really random cuts inside

And so whenever I place my flute against my lip, there's an extra lump of metal which I REALLY hate.

I'm preparing for Grade 4 and the pieces expire in June/July and I DO want to take it but because of my braces I dunno whether I'm going to have enough time to get my notes back properly.

My low notes sounds normal but when it hits the E and above (1 octave above middle C), they all sound terrible. I don't know how to move my lip shape as whenever I try to, it just hurts soo badly!

Any tips/advice? Thanks.

Hi Celebworld,
I have a pupil who is having exactly the same problems and it really pains me to see her struggling to get the notes which she managed to get so easily before the christmas break. We worked out that if she pushes her top jaw further forward than usual this helped a lot, it will make you look more like a frog when you play though! Look in a mirror when you are doing it, you may just have to learn how to blow into your flute again, but it shouldn't take you to long as you know the concept behind making a sound with a flute - so go back to trying with the headjoint, then simple scales and pieces just to get you back into how your mouth should feel when playing, at the moment you are probably thinking about playing your pieces well as well as learning how your mouth should feel, if you start with simple, easy tunes you can concentrate more on the shape of your embouchure...This seemed to work with this particular case, try it yourself!

Hi Celebworld,

One of my friends had this problem with flute when she first got her braces on. She adjusted after about a month of playing with them on, also with the help of a mouth ulcer cream for the cuts (not sure what it's called, but you put it on at nightbefore going to bed & it heals "like magic" according to her by morning!)

The best news is that when she got her braces off it only took her a few days to adjust, and she sounds AMAZING!!! (We both think her tone has improved since before she had them put on). So that is something to look forward to when the braces are giving you trouble!

Good luck with it!

Sorry to hear you're having problems with your brace. Just a quick point: not sure where you live but, if you're in the UK, the present flute syllabus is valid until the end of 2007 and I would expect you to be able to take an exam playing those pieces up to (and including) the first period of entry in 2008. The new syllabus will go "live" in 2008 but there's usually one period of entry overlap.

The regulations state:

Woodwind & Brass Instruments 2006 & 2007
The lists and requirements for all subjects remain unchanged from 2006. The next edition of this syllabus will be issued in July 2007 and will include new lists for Recorder (valid from 2008), Flute and Clarinet (both valid for 2008-2013).


So, I wouldn't try and take the exam before you can play as best you can. Remember the examiner may be sorry you have braces but won't allow any marks because of them. He/she will examine what they hear and only that. So, don't rush at it. If you do delay, you might want to think about different pieces anyway. Personally, I wouldn't recommend any pupil of mine playing the same three pieces for a long period of time, whatever the circumstances.

Hope you get this sorted the exam goes well when you do take it.

Oboist

Ummm... I'm married to an Orthodontist. Some of his patients who play wind instruments skip a grade whilst they have the brace on... they are often on for 18 months... and if they don't sound great... well... you can still improve your general playing... then when they come off, the patient is ready for the next exam!!!
Also... have you tried using the orthodontic wax on the brace to stop it rubbing when you play?

aw yeah i can totally relate to your problem!
I had braces put on early december..
i played really simple things like carols all christmas.. also another thing that helps is to do lots of harmonics. My tone has improved so much and is almost back to what it was.
hope this is any help!
take care
thomxxx
ps just keep at it, i promise it will get better:)X

I worked in an orthodontic surgery 2 years back.

For the low notes just try and relax the embrochure and keep a low air speed. You might for now need to experiment with different ways of blowing to find the best way to produce a nice tone with the changes in your mouth. Remember once the treatment is over then changes might need to be made in order to adapt to the different placement of teeth in the mouth.
Try waxing the brace it will make it much more comfortable and stop any curts.

Thank you everyone for all the great tips!

Before my braces, my top notes were SOO easy to reach and no matter how hard I blow - it only fuzzes and the proper note comes out as the octave below.

But for now, I suppose the best thing for me to do is to place my flute on a table or something and everytime I walk pass, I'll play some random notes.

The wax is okay but it doesn't help with the flute either because I'll have another massive lump.

Thanks oboist for the latest exam entries date. =]

Could you tell me what the mouth ulcer cream is that works like magic. I'm desperate for it!!

Sara

Is the cream you're talking about called Adcortyl? I use that & it forms a seal over the ulcer & takes the pain out of it.

Hmmm i like Bonjela......it tastes nice

Hi Sara,

Just checked with my friend & she uses a cream called Kenalog. Hope it helps!

Thanks for the tips. Even my ulcers have got ulcers and it's been going on for weeks!! I'm having 1000mg Vit C but it's not really helping. Nor does gargling with salt water. So I'll be off to the pharmacy for that stuff. I know Bonjela, but it's too weak and just gets licked off

Sara

Mouth ulcers aren't caused by a vit c deficiency. They could be caused by a vit b12, folic acid or iron deficiency.

Er....The mouth ulcer one that I use is called orajel...

XD

Wow...Plenty to choose from then.. haha

sorry to hear you are having problems with your braces, I too had the same problem several years ago.
I found playing for long periods became painful, so I did 4-6 lots of ten minutes throughout the day, depending on how sore my lips were...it gave my lips a chance to calm down after playing, without letting them get so sore that I couldnt do anymore! It does get easier, and lots of wax helps too, it does make your lips feel huge and weird when you play, but you get used to it...and when they (the braces) come off...it makes playing 100% easier, and you will hear yourself improve quickly!
so i guess the frustration does have a resolution at the end! (plus you get nice teeth and a gorg smile which you cannot stop for a few days!! ---> )

Good luck!

x

I had my flute lesson last week - and it wasn't sounding that bad! Okay - It was ''bad'' but not ''terrible''. Last week, the notes came out better and they flowed more without disconnecting within 1 long note! So I'm happy. I'm going to work on my high notes now.

Hi Celebworld,

You could try contacting flutewise for a copy of an article they did a couple of years ago about braces and playing the flute. It seemed quite informative (though as I don't have braces I don't actually know!!).

Becca.

I read somehwere about someone with braces using lots of masking tape on thier lip plate to build it up a bit.

I had this problem but by JUne/July you will have mastered the flute again trust me! You have to literally learn to play the flute again and adapt to the change in your mouth shape. If you get sores and cuts try putting the gel stuff on the bits of the brace that seem to hurt the most! I was given some in a little plastic case, don't whether you have it or not. It takes lots of practice but it'll be fine. Good luck!

Sound is ''getting better'' but this is taking longer than I expected! When I started to learn the flute - things were quicker...And now I can't even reach up to a top D without it even going fuzzy...~~ Top C's are also a problem and I find top D's easier to play than C'S.. o__0

Thanks Becca for the advice - I emailed Flutewise and this is what they replied me with.



Well - that was useful.

It's not that they don't have the time I don't think; they just want an additional member.

^ Obviously. But I understand - they don't care about flute players who aren't members...

Liz is definately trying to get another member.....but it is worth joining if you are a dedicated flute player. Theyre really fun to read with competitions and all sorts of flute related articles which can help with your playing. Basically join if you actually have some interest in the flute!
For older people or slightly more advanced people i would reccommend PAN magasine from the British Flute Society - A MUST for flute players!

I was/am a member of both. I liked Pan but found it too stodgy for me.

But Liz is a fantastic person and Flutewise is really useful

Ah. Well it was worth a go! *shameless plug of flutewise* it is definitely worth becoming a member - music/hints and tips for playing too. I think it is £20 for a year.

I'm sorry she couldn't help you. I do have a copy of the article but no way of getting a copy to you

Don't worry - Gradually improving now...I was in band and I played up to top G really clearly. XD But I had to blow soo quickly. Thanks anyway though! =]

The best thing to do it keep practicing. I was lucky as my brace hardly changed my tone on my flute. Practice the low notes especially and you should get used to it.
Good Luck!

hey, regarding the ulcers i had two really big and painful ones at the same side of my mouth (one on the lower lip one on the upper gum), i've tried two types of cream but they all din't work. The moment i applied table salt to the ulcers it worked just like a miracle. The pain was gone almost instantaneously (that's after u endure a really piercing pain when u first apply it). You could try that for ulcers

I had braces for two years while sitting my standard grades. I got through it eventually with the help of LOTS of wax and practice. The whole time I had the braces my tone was terrible, but the moment I got them off my tone was so much better. It was great!

My low notes sound normal. My high notes are the trouble... >.<

Keep practising, you'll be fine! It's not for life, remember! Wax does help - stops the wire catching on the inside of your cheek and causing cuts. It is annoying having the lump of wax there, but you should get used to it. It's manageable! Just think of all those poor brass players with braces! They have the short straw, trust me. At least your flute isn't pressed hard against your teeth so that they ache.

Anyway, the best of luck to you!

I had train tracks, but they are now off, and i took my grade 7 exam with them.
Firstly they are wierd to get used, to and the higher notes i felt were a bit difficult to get out, but if you love playing flute, then you just deal with it.

Like i said i took my grade 7 exam with them, and passed, to my relief!

Good luck, and keep perserving because in the end you'll have perfect teeth, and be a better flautist!

All the best

I started playing the Flute when i was 13 i had just learned how to blow some notes and when i had them put in i lost the tone completely i was really upset too so i know how you feel. I keep being persistant with practice and my tone came back! It does in time it just takes a while for your mouth to adjust to braces. I achieved my grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 with braces on so it won't stop you either.

Just keep your spirits up and keep playing

You'll do great

I ask my friends whether or not they get cuts and stuff in their brace, but they all said - not as much as me.. >.<

It just hurts soo soo much and whenever I play, the headjoint just keeps on moving.