Underbite Trumpet advice? Can anyone help?

Insyderzska1 · Regular Member Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 17 Location: NC

I have been out of the trumpet world for a few years. I am just picking it up again and I am now 30 and I have a lower bite problem and it really hurts me playing. Any advice out there for the problem?
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oxleyk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 4180

Could you describe the problem and how it affects your playing?

Kent

lmaraya · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 618

Does it literally hurt? is it painful? or you are just saying that it impedes your progress?

razeontherock · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:01 pm Post subject:

Both very good questions in response to the OP. I'll add one more: do you maintain your natural underbite when you play, or do you change your jaw alignment to play? Also, can you specify whether your upper or lower front teeth protrude at rest, and by how much?

scott@95603 · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 3:21 pm Post subject:

Let's be sure we are clear on this: An overbite is when the top, front teeth are in front of the lower, front teeth. An underbite is when the top, front teeth are behind the lower, front teeth.

I have an overbite but have learned to move my jaw out so that my teeth are even. Is it possible to move your jaw back so that the front teeth are even...in the case of an underbite? I wouldn't think so. Parting your teeth more seems to have the desired effect of evening the teeth, depending on how much of an underbite you have, but how much is too much?
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chuck in ny · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 6:27 am Post subject:

i have had some experience with this. i downloaded the cat anderson book from amazon, and did the whisper G exercise for a few months exclusively, no regular playing. it put me in the firm habit of playing with the top and bottom teeth lined up.
for me this was a very good experience. things are different for others so it's a good policy to listen to advice from all sides and then do what both makes sense and resonates with you, very much like the rest of life.

Craig Swartz · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:06 am Post subject:

Not seeming to get any response from the OP. I'd also wonder if the "underbite" is natural or if it is just the way some poor beginner screwed up his/her face to produce a sound in the formative months. I'd suggest experimenting around with some freebuzzing while driving the car or doing some activity that won't get you hauled away by the men in the white coats. Try to duplicate the jaw/tongue/wind when placing the horn up and sounding. I had a first lesson student last Wed I'll see again this week with the same deal. It'll take a bit to assess and she also just got braces off, so there's all of that to deal with, I'm sure we'll figure it out. Good luck to the OP.

Steve Hollahan · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 9:51 am Post subject: Arban's advice

Don't over think this. Find a comfortable spot and hold the corners firm and blow.

Arban advised this in Method many years ago. Players have all kinds of deformities, find what works and is semi-comfortable and play.
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oxleyk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 4180

hmm, no response from the OP.

yugga · Regular Member Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Posts: 62

I have an underbite that braces couldnt correct. i can play clean notes up to f above high c but really anything above the staff and my bottom lip rubs against by bottom teeth and gets sore/worn after a while. any advice?

yugga · Regular Member Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Posts: 62

thinking of investing in a wedge mouthpiece. ANybody else make something similar?

1jazzyalex · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:17 pm Post subject:

I have some overbite but yeah, when playing I line my teeth up pretty perfectly.

Underbites are rare, is the OP a Hapsburg?
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Richard III · Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Arban's advice

TKSop · Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Underbite

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

Go to the Reinhardt forum and PM Rich Willy (Beboppin fool).

TKSop · Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 9:34 am Post subject:

yugga · Regular Member Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Posts: 62

thanks guys. i dropped them a line

BBB1976 · Veteran Member Joined: 30 May 2016 Posts: 134

Hi there. The best thing to do is go and get some lessons with a teacher who is very experienced with dealing with the face/chops. Things like buzzing/Caruso exercises are very helpful with getting a flat face on trumpet. However, you need someone to guide you with this! Otherwise, don't forget to blow a good stream of air through the trumpet. Indeed, AIR can solve many playing problems and you may find that using this approach, the embouchure regulates itself and settles down. Apart from that, don't get frustrated with it and get a thing about it, as at the end of the day you need to blow the trumpet and play musically with a good sound. Hope this helps my friend. Best wishes and good luck to you.

yugga · Regular Member Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Posts: 62

Good advice. Will get a teacher when I have chance. Work and new born baby getting in the way! Still considering a mouthpiece in interim. Wedge much more expensive than asymmetric. Do you think they seek to achieve the same thing? What about the stepped rim version of the wedge?