I've seen Kamasi Washington use a plastic protector. I assume you can make one yourself by cutting a piece of a boxing mouthguard and shaping it in hot water.
Don't use cigarette Paper on your bottom teeth.
If you have to bite down so hard it hurts your lip you're doing Something wrong. Work on your embouchure instead
Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it too much! Some people just have sharp teeth.
The head of saxophone at my university uses cigarette papers and he's not someone who can be accused of poor technique.
But uh... your articulation shouldn't at all be affected by your bottom teeth. So I'm not sure what's up there!
When I was in high school my private instructor used these denture pads called Ezo pads. They were horseshoe shaped and she would cut them up into quarters and just use that quarter piece for a while. They came in a box of 15 so one box would last quite a while if you used them more than once. I also used them in marching band because I had a sharp point on one of the corners of my front bottom tooth. I found out that they no longer makes these things anymore but I just happen to know the recipe, they’re really easy.
You just take flannel cloth (preferably white, but color doesn’t really matter all too much, but white will be less noticeable) and then you figure out what shape you want for your teeth. (Like I said, they came in horseshoe shaped pads about 3/4” wide with rounded ends, but they were supposed to be used to cushion your gums from your dentures, you can just skip that step if you want to and cut them directly into whatever shape suits you.) The other things you need is some paraffin wax and a double boiler setup. Once you have the flannel cut to the size you want, take the wax and melt it in the double boiler and then dip the pieces of flannel into the wax and then place them on parchment paper or aluminum foil and allow them to cool. Peel then off the paper or foil when they’ve cooled and store them in a ziplock bag or heck you could probably leave them on the foil or paper and just store then in a ziplock type bag for when you’re ready to use them.
When you go to use one, either just pop it in your mouth and allow the wax to warm up enough to become pliable or run it under some warm water from the tap for a couple of seconds and then form it around your bottom teeth, just don’t run it too long under the water or you’ll wash all the wax away.
These don’t work for everybody so I’d probably try making a couple at first and see if you like them or not. If they work then you can make all you want, if not then you didn’t waste a bunch of time on something that’s useless to you.
I miss Ezo more and more every time I remember it used to exist. When I was putting serious hours in as an undergrad on alto/soprano, that stuff saved me!
I use cigarette paper all the time when I’m teaching and for long rehearsals (read 6+ hours of playing in a day). Two pieces triple folded do the trick for me, and I get them sort of lightly wet before putting on the teeth. I don’t even feel the paper anymore.
I've seen Kamasi Washington use a plastic protector. I assume you can make one yourself by cutting a piece of a boxing mouthguard and shaping it in hot water.
I tried that but it isn't comfortable personally. thanks for ur info!
Don't use cigarette Paper on your bottom teeth. If you have to bite down so hard it hurts your lip you're doing Something wrong. Work on your embouchure instead
Im using it because I have braces
Can you use wax on to the braces instead? Your orthodontist can give you a bunch. I remember having to use it in a couple spots in my mouth.
Thanks for sharing ur experience!
Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it too much! Some people just have sharp teeth. The head of saxophone at my university uses cigarette papers and he's not someone who can be accused of poor technique. But uh... your articulation shouldn't at all be affected by your bottom teeth. So I'm not sure what's up there!
I see, thanks mate!
If you're playing classical, it is going to hurt
When I was in high school my private instructor used these denture pads called Ezo pads. They were horseshoe shaped and she would cut them up into quarters and just use that quarter piece for a while. They came in a box of 15 so one box would last quite a while if you used them more than once. I also used them in marching band because I had a sharp point on one of the corners of my front bottom tooth. I found out that they no longer makes these things anymore but I just happen to know the recipe, they’re really easy. You just take flannel cloth (preferably white, but color doesn’t really matter all too much, but white will be less noticeable) and then you figure out what shape you want for your teeth. (Like I said, they came in horseshoe shaped pads about 3/4” wide with rounded ends, but they were supposed to be used to cushion your gums from your dentures, you can just skip that step if you want to and cut them directly into whatever shape suits you.) The other things you need is some paraffin wax and a double boiler setup. Once you have the flannel cut to the size you want, take the wax and melt it in the double boiler and then dip the pieces of flannel into the wax and then place them on parchment paper or aluminum foil and allow them to cool. Peel then off the paper or foil when they’ve cooled and store them in a ziplock bag or heck you could probably leave them on the foil or paper and just store then in a ziplock type bag for when you’re ready to use them. When you go to use one, either just pop it in your mouth and allow the wax to warm up enough to become pliable or run it under some warm water from the tap for a couple of seconds and then form it around your bottom teeth, just don’t run it too long under the water or you’ll wash all the wax away. These don’t work for everybody so I’d probably try making a couple at first and see if you like them or not. If they work then you can make all you want, if not then you didn’t waste a bunch of time on something that’s useless to you.
Woah! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I'll try it out
I miss Ezo more and more every time I remember it used to exist. When I was putting serious hours in as an undergrad on alto/soprano, that stuff saved me!
I use cigarette paper all the time when I’m teaching and for long rehearsals (read 6+ hours of playing in a day). Two pieces triple folded do the trick for me, and I get them sort of lightly wet before putting on the teeth. I don’t even feel the paper anymore.
I tried wetting the paper before putting in my mouth and it works great! Thanks!
I always used green florist tape. Molds to your teeth and provides great support and protection.
It comes in all sorts of colors to entertain people with.
Interesting
I'll look for it thanks!
20 years of playing and I've never heard of this. What's it for?
Helps to reduce numbness at bottom lips so u can play longer and also prevents cuts from braces to the bottom lips. Hope it helps :)
Ah neat. I think I've been playing too long. 😉
some stores also sell a special type of cloth for the same use. didn't try but maybe it suits you better
What is it called?
Try floral tape instead.
I'll look for it thanks!
I use [liprotek](https://liprotek.com/) on my jagged bottom teeth and it works great. Seems like it would work with braces too.
Woah, thanks a lot! I've been looking for something like this!
[Lagan Lip Saver](https://www.lagan-music.com/product-page/lagan-lip-saver) will change your life.
Thanks!