Re: [Harp-L] Braces and playing the harp

[Pierre <plavio@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I got my braces off about a year 14 months ago.  While I had my braces 
> (the
> conventional wire ones) I did have some trouble with playing, mainly in
> switching between pucker and tongue-blocking styles, which I so a lot. 
> The
> insides of my lips would get really raw from being pressed into the metal
> posts cemented to my teeth.

I am surprised by Sam's post. Perhaps we play differently or perhaps its 
because I use TurboLids which are fat, but when I play, the harmonica is 
between my teeth and my lips go up and over the covers and are nowhere near 
my teeth (think of a chimpanzee smile). I'm a puckerer but use octaves and I 
don't see any real difference in my embouchure one way or another.

If you are concerned, your orthodontist can take 5 minutes and glue on a few 
braces so you can try it out. Make sure you let them know you will decide 
whether to get braces or not after you do this test. Those guys make a lot 
of money and should be willing to do this freebee to get a $5000 sale.

BTW my daughter had braces and looks fabulous now, so go for it.

I don't much trust new fangled things, make sure this new system works. I 
had braces when I was young and when they took them off I was given a 
positioner rather than a retainer. Sort of like a boxers tooth guard. 
Anyways I woud say bad idea. Stopped wearing as it was not very comfortable 
and my bottom teeth went crooked. Thank god they don't show much.

Last thing, wear your friggin elastics otherwise 2 years will turn to 4.

Pierre.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "samblancato" <samblancato@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 4:07 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Braces and playing the harp


> Jaime Writes: "Now for the question, do any of you have any experience 
> with
> having your
> teeth straightened *after* learning to play the harmonica? What I'm
> concerned about is that I would need to re-learn how to play, do those
> fun 2 and 3 draw bends"
>
> Jaime,
>
> I got my braces off about a year 14 months ago.  While I had my braces 
> (the
> conventional wire ones) I did have some trouble with playing, mainly in
> switching between pucker and tongue-blocking styles, which I so a lot. 
> The
> insides of my lips would get really raw from being pressed into the metal
> posts cemented to my teeth.  On one occasion, after getting an adjustment,
> the lower row wire came loose on one side and while playing at a jam I
> pierced my lip through.  There  was a lot of blood and I felt pretty 
> stupid.
> I was glad to get them off and my playing got a lot easier but I have to 
> say
> I did have to learn how to go about my  embouchure in a very deliberate 
> way
> and I think in the end it improved my playing.
>
> Sam Blancato, Pittsburgh
>
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