TubeNet

So I have used a Conn Helleberg for a long time. I recently got a PT 50 and I love the sound I can produce on this mouthpiece much better. A more big fat and thick sound and more open. The only problem is I feel like where the mouthpiece falls on my mouthe the PT 50 tears up my bottom lip because of the way my teeth rub against it. Everyone I've asked, band director, private lessons teacher etc., have said the pt 50 sounds better. But I just don't know what to do.

I guess you could say I have sharp teeth. I do have some dental problems. I have one tooth that pokes forward a little more than the others and when I use the pt 50 my lip is right up against that tooth. I really don't want to get braces because my theeth altogether aren't that bad and I have no dental insurance so they would be expensive.

I know how that is - well, sort of, though in my case it's upper teeth that misbehave. Kind of surprising that it would make so much difference which mouthpiece - the specs for the PT50 say 33mm, wide rim, sharp inner edge ... which on paper sounds a lot like the Conn Helleberg, minus maybe a mm (and if you center them both at the same spot, that's 1/2 mm difference at any point, if you see what I mean.) Any idea specifically what it is about the PT50?

The Conn mouthpiece is the 120S Helleberg, not the 7B, right? I don't have one, not sure it would have "120S" anywhere on it, but at least it shouldn't say "7B"!

This reminds me of having braces when I was in MS/HS.
My orthodontist would give me wax to put on my braces when I played.
You could try something similar on the area of your teeth that's causing pain to your lip.
I think they sell a basic wax at drug stores - it's been a while since I had braces, but I remember my parents getting more.

Edit - I eventually quit using the wax. My lip got stronger and my technique got better.

I knew a sax player with the same minor tooth issue. She'd buy a pack of cigarette papers and fold one to place between her tooth and lip to offer some padding for the lip tissue. YMMV.

SF

I met with my instructor today, he thinks I may be putting a little to much pressure on the mouthpiece. I am working on fixing it and it is getting better. I still may need to consider that wax or shaving down that tooth. It's a more comfortable mouthpiece just resting and maybe the larger diameter is harder to keep from mashing my face onto. I don't know it works for me and I'll get past this. I love the tone color so much.

I have a similar tooth problem only it is about my upper incisors. I had the problem corrected through my early teenage years, which caused speech problems due to lack of space for my tongue. While playing baritone at a concert, when I was 25, I heard a big cracking sound in my head. Only afterwards I realised my teeth had gone to their old positions.

The sharp edge forced me to play solely by means of embouchure strength avoiding all pressure.

For years I was a huge fan of the PT50. Still am, soundwise, but it should have a Helleberg styled rim. The current round rim with no real edge makes clean articulation at lower dynamics and in the upper register far more difficult than necessary.

Klaus

imperialbari wrote:I have a similar tooth problem only it is about my upper incisors. I had the problem corrected through my early teenage years, which caused speech problems due to lack of space for my tongue. While playing baritone at a concert, when I was 25, I heard a big cracking sound in my head. Only afterwards I realised my teeth had gone to their old positions.

The sharp edge forced me to play solely by means of embouchure strength avoiding all pressure.

For years I was a huge fan of the PT50. Still am, soundwise, but it should have a Helleberg styled rim. The current round rim with no real edge makes clean articulation at lower dynamics and in the upper register far more difficult than necessary.

Klaus

I agree so much about needing a Helleberg styled rim. I really like the PT50 but I think that change to the rim would make it better. I'm thinking about saving up and having one customized to have that style of rim.

I have the same issue with one of my lower teeth. It's right where the rim would sit. What I wound up doing, without realizing it at the time, was move the mouthpiece off center slightly so that the lip would not be trapped by the rim. I figure that if it worked for Adolph Herseth, it should work for me.

Just my experience.
Roger