Braces and playing the trumpet

[judykay53]

My grandson plays the trumpet in the high school band. Last March, he got braces. Made it through marching season OK. When it came time for concert band tryouts, the directors told him that they had affected his tone and range. He uses a football mouth guard that he molds to his braces. He is really getting discouraged. He is ahead of schedule on his braces and they will come off within the year. He is in the tenth grade right now. Don't know if he will stick it out. Doesn't help that one of the band directors said "You have to decide which is more important - braces or band". Are there alternatives to using the football guards that have worked better? What has been your experience with this situation? My other grandson will get braces in May and he plays the baritone. Hopefully, they will not affect him this much. He seems to think they won't.

 

[wickey's friend]

My older son had braces when he was in the band and played trumpet. It's been a while, but I believe he had some type of wax he put on the braces that irritated parts of his mouth. I don't remember if he got it from the orthodontist or the music store. I can see where the football mouth guard would affect his playing.

However, I believe the band director was out of line. While I understand his desire to have your grandson play at his best, what he said was totally wrong.

 

[brookmey]

I played the french horn in HS and used wax on my braces. The wax helped prevent the braces from cutting into my lips, which made using the horn's mouthpiece much more comfortable.

Funny thing, when I got my braces off in 10th grade, I had a lot of trouble adjusting to playing the french horn without them. I just could never play quite as well once they came off.

 

[diznygirl]

They sell the dental wax in the drug store near the toothbrushes and toothpaste. The orthodontist can also give you some, but mine was really stingy.

 

[BigDaddyWill]

I am a trumpet player and my son is also (as well as a band director). The mouthguard will definitely affect his playing. My son had braces when he was in high school and managed to play with only occasionally using the wax and had no issues.

The band director was definitely out of line and something should be said. It is tough enough to get talented kids that want to be a part of it.

Will

 

[disykat]

I can't imagine using a football mouth guard would be comfortable. Is it painful without?

My sons might have used a little wax when they first started, but in general it just wasn't a problem. One plays trumpet and one plays tuba and trombone. My trumpet player worried about it (he lived and breathed his trumpet) when he was first getting them, but after a few weeks he was fine. We made sure to schedule bracework around his performance schedule.

The band director is being a jerk with comments like "decide between band and braces."

 

[Cindy B]

My son played oboe for 4 years with braces. I don't think he ever commented on how challenging it was (began playing before braces came on)

The mouthguard would be too much. Try the wax . Maybe there may be an alternative way to play-- maybe a different way to place lips or tongue.

Google it up. there may be answers.

 

[kisaacs]

I had braces in high school and played the trombone. I didn't use any wax or anything, but just got used to the feeling with the braces. However, I can see where that would be harder on the trumpet with its tinier mouthpiece and tighter ambeture.

One option, if your son is willing to consider it, is to switch temporarily from the trumpet to the trombone or baritone. He'll pick it up quickly as they're very similar, but they're a looser mouth feel, so it'll be less stress on his mouth. When the braces come off, he could go back to the trumpet. Of course, all this depends on how serious a musician he is and if he's into band because he just likes playing, or if he wants to become a serious trumpet player.

Good luck to him!

BTW, I also agree, the band teacher was out of line.

Kristen

 

[GeorgeG]

Many years ago I had a trumpet student who was sent to me to learn trumpet (she already played another instrument) so she could avoid braces. I don't remember who's idea that was or if it even worked, but the notion was the pressure from the trumpet mouthpiece would do what braces would for her particular problem. If that logic was at all correct, I suppose it would depend on a lot of practice and playing. All I remember was she was a good student.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's been a while, but I believe he had some type of wax he put on the braces that irritated parts of his mouth.

Definitely get the wax to put just on the spots that get hurt.

I can't imagine using a football mouth guard would be comfortable. Is it painful without?

It hurt just with flute; I can imagine it really hurts with the trumpet, but you say your son was fine after awhile...that's pretty cool!



This doesn't sound like a braces thing, but a "things to mitigate the pain of the trumpet hitting the lips over the braces" thing. Change that up and it might change everything!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm in agreement with no mouthpiece. I have 2 who played trumpet with braces. One also played french horn, the other also played baritone. They had no problem with braces/retainers and playing their instruments. As posted, the times there were comfort issues, we used the wax they got at the orthodontist.

 

[WicketsMom]

I played flute in high school with braces and had no problems, even made All-State band. If I remember correctly, some of our most talented brass players also had braces. The band director was way out of line with that comment and I would have to speak up about it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

DD played the french horn and used wax til she got used to the braces.

I would definitely report the band director. What a jerk!

 

[NYEmomma]

My husband and I both have musical background though mine wasn't brass... his was, but he didn't have braces.

So while I don't have any direct advice, I do have to say that the band director was 100% out of line and just being ridiculous. My god, when we were in high school our marching band was 250 players and I'd say that 60-70% of them had braces at one point in time. Everyone managed around it just fine and none of the directors ever had anything to say about it except for suggestions on how to deal with them. Braces or band... that's ridiculous.

 

[sksjasams]

My DS13 uses a small piece of thin plastic tubing with a slit that the orthodonitst gave him. He cut a piece to fit over his top two front brackets. he puts that on whenever he plays and keeps it in a retainer case. It works basically the same as wax, but is easier to use, and reusable.

DS did have a somewhat hard time adjusting, but with practice he is coming along and hitting high notes again. His band teacher was very disappointed to see his braces when he got them, and was even more disappointed to learn he would have them on for the "rest of his music career with her". Ha-ha...anyway he is doing just fine. He is first chair in school band and second chair in honor band (in a small middle school, but still..)

I would have your DGS ask the orthodontist for other options. A football mouth guard is very bulky. There are better options.

The band director was completely out of line.

I hope your DGS doesn't get too discouraged and sticks with it!

 

[marcyinPA]

DS16 is a trumpet player and had braces. He got them on in 8th grade, a few days before he auditioned for the high school band . Yes, with braces, he didn't do as well as he would have without them. BUT, and this is important- the band directors understand that kids this age get braces, and that it sometimes affects their playing ability. They were understanding and he made the band. He was close to last chair, but he made it! Fast forward to this year- he no longer has braces, and during his last chair audition, was moved to 7th chair out of about 25 trumpets.

I remember when he first got his braces on, he used wax on them to help with the cuts, but after a while, the insides of his lips toughened up and he no longer needed the wax.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I am a retired public school music teacher. I play all brass instruments, and I give lessons at my home.

Your son needs wax. Your band director needs to be fired! No one should discourage any child because he/she has braces. This is a temporary setback - but it will make him a better person, having to overcome an obstacle in order to achieve something.

It helps kids understand what handicapped persons have to deal with. It teaches them patience as well as finding out how strong you - as a person - really are. What are you willing to do in order to still play your trumpet? You have a great kid. He didn't quit. He's awesome!

 

[spaceacewannabe]

My other grandson will get braces in May and he plays the baritone. Hopefully, they will not affect him this much. He seems to think they won't.

It won't much. The larger brass mouthpieces are much more forgiving.

My DS13 uses a small piece of thin plastic tubing with a slit that the orthodonitst gave him. He cut a piece to fit over his top two front brackets. he puts that on whenever he plays and keeps it in a retainer case. It works basically the same as wax, but is easier to use, and reusable.

Around here, these are called "bumpers," and these have been the most effective for most of my students. When I was in college, some of my classmates would put denture cushions over their teeth---but that was for lower lip on reed instruments. I have not had anyone try it with brass.

I'm also a band teacher and wowza, your grandson's band teacher is a moron.

 

[jahexom]

They are called Morgan Bumpers and they have a website that you can order from if your orthodontist doesn't have them. I am a trumpet/euphonium playing band director and these things really work. Good luck.

 

[Sadie22]

DS already had braces when band was offered to fifth graders. The orthodontist suggested a reed instrument rather than choosing something with a trumpet-type mouthpiece.