Braces

[tubabernie]

I have 2 students one of which just got their braces off and another that will be getting them off next week. Me being a person that never needed them have never encountered this problem. Is there anyone that has any tips or drills I can get them to do to help them adjust. Right now the student that has hers off is really down on herself cause she has completely lost her range.

[k001k47]

I had my braces for 2 years when I had just started tuba.
As one who has experienced it first hand, I can safely say that alot of practice on fundamentals (arban first studies are great)is the only way to play comfortably again after having them removed.
Good luck and best of wishes to your students!

[tubatom91]

I had them in elementary school and then again in middle school and into high school. I don't know how it happened but I didn't have any trouble. It could've been the fact that they took the top ones off a month or two before the lower ones. I know a few people that have braces and have awful pains while playing but I can honestly say that I never had any trouble. . I never used the little plastic strip "covers" just for band kids. I don't have an answer sorry, I just like to ramble on.

[J.c. Sherman]

I was lucky; taking my braces off was the best thing that happened to me; I HATED them.

Most of my students seem to, well, overreact to the removal. They think it'll ruin everything, which of course proves correct.

Fundamentals. And playing with a tactile sense of notes, of the horn, and playing, is the way to go. We often don't focus on how notes, and playing _feel_. We talk technique, but without intimacy with the horn. With intimacy comes a striking adaptability to give the instrument what it needs to operate efficiently. And when the braces come off, the adjustment becomes instantaneous for those who make it to realizing the feel and flavor of their instrument. If they haven't, they are thrown for a serious loop, made all the worse for their expectations.

I have a student who's in 8th grade who just had hers removed; and she gets it! No problems at all. Make that the expectation, and try to have the student really feel that.

My $.02

J.c.S. (owwmmmmmmmhhhh....)