Playing flute without braces?

Question

ok, so this morning i got my braces off. ive played flute for nearly four years now and i started WITH braces. now, i cant even make a sound. can ANYONE HELP ME!!!!! I need to know how to fix this problem! i need to be able to at least get a note out!!!

Answer 1

just keep trying.  You'll need to adjust the airflow since your lips are in different places now.

Oh, it might help to consciously stick your lips out farther, since the braces pushed them further out initially.

Answer 2

I have fixed this numerous times with students - braces on, braces off.  The common fix for braces ON is ot put about 7 layers of tape on the lipplate - your upper lip protrudes more than your lower with braces, and the tape compensates for that.  So - your jaw and lips have learned that compensating position.  Here is how to fix it, using some exercises that you did as a complete beginner.

1.  Put down the flute.  Raise your forearm (bent elbow) in front of you face  Make a flute embouchure, and move a beam of air up and down the inside of your am - do NOT hove you entire head.

2.  You know what comes next - just the headjoint.  Find that sweet spot that gives you the clearest tone.  Practice removing the headjoint fron your face, and finding that spot again and again - until it becomes automatic.

4.  Assemble the flute.  Start with long tones on A2.  Work down chromatically - like Moyse exercises.  Then go back to A2 and work. up.  take your time.  Tomorrow will be better.

Have patience.  It WILL come back.  It will take a while - and go FASTER if your private teacher helps you - you DO have a good private teacher, don't you?