Herbst appliance going on soon? Will flute fail?!
Question: Okay, I have played the flute for about four years, and in two weeks I am getting a herbst appliance put on. Since it instantly corrects my overbite which i have noticed really is an important part of my embouchure, will it be difficult to play the flute?
Answers: Okay, I have played the flute for about four years, and in two weeks I am getting a herbst appliance put on. Since it instantly corrects my overbite which i have noticed really is an important part of my embouchure, will it be difficult to play the flute?
I'm a general dentist and not a woodwind player--so I won't offer a definitive answer. (Sadly, I can't remember the name of an orthodontist I used to refer to on Long Island who was a horn player and treated many musicians).
My guess is that it will be an adjustment, but probably not as big an adjustment as a brass instrument player.
You really should ask your orthodontist--in fact, this should have been discussed at the beginning of treatment as there may be alternatives that are less disruptive. This is not an uncommon situation and your orthodontist should be willing and able to work with you on this.
Good luck,
Steve Bornfeld, DDS
I had that appliance, a reatainer thing you had to twist a key in each night that always stayed in, braces on top and bottom, neck gear at night, and rubberbands all at the same time. I will say it was a little challenging to play the flute with all of that going on in my mouth, but after about a week of a lot of practicing, I was able to get used to it. Then it feels weird without it, so you have to get used to your old way of playing. With the appliance, though, and I'm not trying to sound like a dentist here, but DON"T CHEW GUM with it. It will get stuck and then you will have to go to your orthodontist for them to get it out which is extremely embarrassing because they just told you not to. This happened to me, and it was horrible, but they had seen that happen before, but they still got a good laugh out of it.