Can you play (well) without saliva??

copper

I have a student who doesn't produce saliva due to a medical condition.
Does this condition limit his potential?
Any recommendations for helping him deal with this more effectively?
Thanks!

dracul · Veteran Member Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 143

I would think it would limit potential but then again I see many trumpet players including professionals purposefully wiping their lips dry before putting the horn to their chops each time. It is not unprecedented to play "dry lip" so I would see if you can track down someone here who actually plays that way and see what they have to offer. Best of luck to your student. Exhaust all options before sending him to the string family

Jon
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robertgrier · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:16 pm Post subject:

Is his mouth dry? if so that will greatly impede his ability to play. There are over the counter sprays to help this. Check with your pharmacist.
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trumpet_bob_silver · Heavyweight Member Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 1060

Ouch. I would really have to adjust. Licked lips for me.

Water messes of the "spit formula" too I've noticed. If I drink water right before playing it's not the right consistency. Kind of gross, but true.

robertgrier · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject:

We are talking about a dry mouth no just the lips. Big difference.
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John Mohan · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:21 pm Post subject:

That's a tough situation to have - not just for trumpet playing but for life in general. I'm sure this student has some kind of moisturizing spray for their mouth, yes? I would think that a little of that liquid wiped on the lips from time to time would work.

Richard III · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:02 pm Post subject:

Serious question. What do you need spit for? I have too much. I have to swallow and squeeze it all out of my mouth before playing. Even then, it will puddle up inside my mouth and get in the way. My goal is to stay dry all the time. So what do you need it for? Is it lubricating between tongue and teeth maybe? If you have none, does your tongue stick to stuff?
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I_play_trmpt · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:23 pm Post subject:

I think it depends on what exactly his medical condition is...I had to have one of my saliva glands removed my 2nd year in college. It definitely affects your playing to an extent. I get dry mouth more, and need to make sure I always have water.
Depending on his condition medication could work. There is medicine that makes your saliva glands produce excess saliva, I had to take it before my surgeries, and it definitely works. Again, depending on his situation it might work, might not.
I have a lot of experience with this issue, if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

robertgrier · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:39 am Post subject:

Without saliva the lips won't vibrate. Now I'm talking about dry mouth.
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www.bobgriermusic.com
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MichaelM2 · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:51 am Post subject:

Many, many pros play with a bottle of water by their side. Additionally, glycerine swabs availalbe at medical supply houses may be useful. Option 2, have the student consult with their physician for recommendations.

Mike

Richard III · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:44 pm Post subject:

robertgrier · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject:

L J · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:49 pm Post subject:

Does not produce any saliva? That is extremely rare. Most have reduced saliva, and most can stimulate by sour sweets, lemon etc.
Apart from that a bottle of water, or artificial saliva substitutes like Saliva Orthana, Oral balance etc.(try a few) work best.

Ed Lee · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

In N VA, I encountered a player that had difficulty with dry lips and often split them when playing. It was all resolved when he rubbed pure aloe gel on them before playing. The kazoo theory denies being moist is essential to allow vibration.

copper · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:50 pm Post subject:

This fellow is an older gentleman who has had some medical issues. He has mentioned that the treatment for those issues "dried up" his saliva glands. I don't know if that means they are completely dry or not. He did say that sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night with his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

He can produce an o.k. sound in the staff, but only for a couple of measures before he has to reset and start anew.

Thanks for the ideas about the sprays.

Any other thoughts or ideas?

razeontherock · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:42 pm Post subject:

Check the Reinhardt forum. There is a separate classification, "dry lip players." I have no idea what sort of tips there are for this, my spit glands are hyper-active.