I been playing saxophone for 6 months now and I'm ready to quit! I can't take the pain anymore! I'm changing my embouchure from bottom lip tucked to a natural lip out (against my teacher's advice) cause I'm biting through my lip and keep splitting it. Every morning I wake up with blisters on my upper and lower lip. This is my third time taking a week off from playing cause my lip is too tender and sore to play. I ordered a smaller mp (Rico Metalite M5) and I just ordered softer reeds. I tried paper on my bottom teeth but can't play with it...I'm just fed up! Advice please!!!!!!!!!
Hey Hey PJ ...
I know you may not welcome what I am gonna say mate ...
And I "really do understand" how difficult and upsetting things may be for you still ...
But ...
You decided to take up the saxophone which previously belonged to your dad for many lovely reasons. I am sure he would be encouraging you to find a way past your embouchure difficulties, rather than see you chuck in the towel ...
Try to think seriously about how to get past this painful but relatively minor issue and continue your sax journey, I really don't think you will regret it if you do ...
I am truly sorry if you think I am sticking my nose in here like this, I certainly do not wish to offend in any way ... My comments are sent with much respect ...
Good luck mate ...
Take your time [allow your lip to heal]
Hint:- I suffered the lip biting thing when I first started playing sax ... A small piece of dampened cotton fabric [better than paper] carefully folded and placed over the lower teeth resolved to pain and allowed me time to develop my embouchure so that I no longer ate my own lips ...
I also have switched to lip out ...