Playing the saxophone Sore Lower Lip Fix

[Colin the Bear]

Time to try the lip out. Pout or sulk embouchure.

 

[jbtsax]

As far as I can tell, none of the players who indicate that they play with a "lip out" play in a classical style which is the appropriate style to play in a concert band, wind ensemble, or orchestra. There is a difference, not only in the concept of sound, but in the embouchure required to produce that sound.

One of the lip "coverings" I used before finding the Ezo patches was a square patch cut from a balloon. I would generally fold it over to double the thickness. If one absolutely has to play when nursing a sore inner lower lip, one of the numbing medications for teething infants can be useful as well.

 

[Jay]

Thanks all. I shall try and find some of this dental stuff for future use, while I'm still developing my chops or for long playing sessions. As it was, between counting loadsa bars rest while the flutes twiddled, and then all the breaks while the trumpets had to go over their parts again 😉, my mouth survived.

 

[kevgermany]

Jay, get the lip off your teeth. Build up the muscles and lower your jaw as bm said. If you get strong enough lip out makes a big difference/improvement to sound as ctb suggested. But it takes time.

 

[Jay]

Will work on it.
I didn't think I did wrap my lip over my teeth, my embouchure is fairly 'flat' but clearly my teeth do catch my lip just at the top inside.

 

[Rob Pealing]

Jay, get the lip off your teeth. Build up the muscles and lower your jaw as bm said. If you get strong enough lip out makes a big difference/improvement to sound as ctb suggested. But it takes time.

I suspect lots sax apprentices get a sore lip at times. I know I did, I kept playing and the pain reminded me to get my teeth off my lip and I have not had a problem since.