HELP!!! From a trumpet player.......?

Question

I've been playing the trumpet for about four years now, I've been first chair for as long as I can remember, and I've been to many different District/All-State events. I'm also involved in everything the band does at school, so playing the trumpet has basically become my whole life.

Anyways, I got braces about a month ago, and I've found that I can hardly play the trumpet anymore! I've tried practicing, and I STILL sound like I just picked it up. Even when trying my hardest, the most I can squeeze out is an F. It also sounds extremely flat.

I tried putting wax on my teeth, but It's not that much more improved. Will I ever be able to play the trumpet again? I've lately been devastated. PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

Yes... you will be able to play the trumpet well again. The braces require that you make an adjustment.



With braces, it's necessary to use very little external pressure from the mouthpiece. Also, try to concentrate on putting your lips together across your entire embouchure. I would recommend that you play long tones... as softly as possible. Concentrate on getting a good sound and gradually build your range. Remember to keep your lips together... especially as you extend your range.



Switching to a mouthpiece with a wider/flatter rim will help to disperse the external pressure used over a wider area. This will help tremendously with your braces. A good mouthpiece for you might be a Schilke 12b4. They aren't commonly stock items, so you'll probably need to order one.



I've had many students who have played very successfully with braces. When you're through with this process, you'll be in great shape to move to the new you!



In reading what other teachers have to say about this subject, please keep this in mind... you are not the first person to experience this. No fatalities have been reported about trumpet players being impaled by their braces. In the short term, this is a big issue for you. In the long term, this too will pass.



Be patient and hang in there!



Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

i personally don't have braces but i do have friends that play the trumpet (i play trumpet too) and they have braces. they use wax and say that it reduced the pain but it didn't help their tone. kind of like the problem you are experiencing. one of the best trumpet players from my high school had braces and he had to learn how to play bascially all over again.



here are some things you can do:

-make sure you wear wax even if you don't think it's helping because if you dont braces can cause scaring and those scars can mess up your lips and consequently your range.

-take just your mouth piece and buzz. start on concert F (the note G) and go chramatically down but after each note go back to G. ex: G, F#, G, F,...

-do long tones. those build up muscles in your embrochure and that should help.



i hope i helped you. good luck.

Answer 3

putting braces on a brass player is diabolical! you are in for alot of work to regain your sound/tone quality and range. i wish insurance companies would cover the invisible behind the teeth variety instead of the common torture devices the orthodontists usually install.

i suggest you voluntarily take lower (2nd & 3rd) parts, work long tones low until your tone improves (use as little pressure as possible)

then move onto lip slurs, make sure tone quality comes first & keep mouthpiece pressure as light as possible,....



it's going to take time so be patient!

Answer 4

yes, you will, i was in the exact same situation, i got braces afetr i started playing, but it might take a little longer then a month for your lips and teeth to adjust

but then again, when i got my braces, i was still learming to play trumpet so it was easier for me to adjust, thats why it might take longer for you since youve been playing for so long

Answer 5

Here is an excellent article for a trumpet player getting use to braces: http://www.dallasmusic.org/gearhead/Braces%20FAQ.html