Subject: [Harp-L] Blisters and sore tongue from playing

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Graham:
 
Despite all of the other answers, I'd like to ask you if the sores and  
blisters are where your tongue actually hits the harp - or if you're finding  
them along the sides, undersides and towards the back of your tongue?
 
I ran into this problem - which had me completely perplexed given that I'm  
in no way a tongue blocker.. play primarily chromatics, and then all  
plastic ones for the most part with smooth rounded holes (the CX-12). It didn't  
make sense.  
 
However..because I've been undergoing some extensive dental work and also  
have a severe TMJ problem (my jaw is very out of whack causing me to grind 
my  lower teeth which leaves sharp edges at times)..it took a while but I  
finally figured out that during those hours of playing, I was injuring my 
tongue  on the BACK or inside of my own teeth...it wasn't the harmonicas' fault 
at all. 
 
So sanding down the comb teeth..sealing it - switching to another  
instrument - would not be a fix for my particular problem. I either  had to stop 
playing until my tongue healed...or come up with a solution.
 
At last year's SPAH I was in severe pain, so bought a 'tooth  filling' kit 
at the local drug store and covered over a bottom molar whose  extremely 
sharp edges I'd obviously just created (and which had left a very  painful 
wound on the side of my tongue)  ...the fix held for  about 3 weeks or so, gave 
me some immediate relief which allowed the  injury to heal with use of 
Orajel to numb the area...and I was  able to keep playing. The dentist later said 
I did a good enough job to protect  myself for 'a while'. 
 
He is now staying on top of the situation for me..looks for and  smoothes 
down any rough or sharp edges he finds allowing for any  abrasions to heal 
before they get a chance to wear through into real  sores. I simply had been 
practice/playing for too long with faceted  edges I've ground into my teeth 
overnight, thereby creating a 'cutting'  surface I don't notice until much 
too late. I'm also trying  to become much more aware.
 
Elizabeth
PS.  I would most definitely agree with the premise of cleaning and  
disinfecting one's harps after each playing session since cleanliness can  
definitely play a part and I'm a wee bit OCD when it comes to my  harmonicas.
 
"Message: 9
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 09:30:12 +0100 (IST)
From:  grahammoore2008@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] Blisters and sore tongue from  playing
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx

Hi Guys recently i have seen a post here  regarding sore lips and the use 
of lip balms and creams to protect the  lips.

Does anybody have the problem of blisters on the tongue after  playing a 
gig or practise session when octave or normal tongue  blocking.

I am suffering this problem a lot recently and i dont want to  stop tongue 
blocking because i love the great sound i get.

I play mainly  with Marine Band wooden combed harps and would consider 
myself an intermediate  player.

Has any one else out there suffered this annoying problem and is  there 
anything i can do to alleviate,reduce it or eliminate it.

Thanks in  advance for any answers 


Regards Graham "