There’s no way around it: braces aren’t a particularly fun thing for any child to have to endure. They can be uncomfortable, difficult to clean, and may even make your child feel self-conscious. While they’re always worth it in the long run, the journey can be fraught.
But what if your child plays a brass instrument? Or what if they had their heart set on finally learning a brass instrument, and were just informed by the dentist that they’re going to need braces for at least the next couple of years? Your immediate thought may well be that the metal cage in their mouth is going to make it somewhat harder to perform. What then? Do you inform your beloved offspring that they need to put their musical ambitions to rest? Of course, you don’t!
In this article, we’re going to talk you through some of the top tips for continuing to play a brass instrument with braces, and how you can help your child through this awkward time.
Can my child still play the trumpet with braces?
The most important thing to note is: yes, your child can still play the trumpet, or any brass instrument, with braces. Is it going to be as comfortable or as easy as it would have been without braces? We’re afraid not.
There are going to be hard days. There will be moments when your child feels as if their best brass playing days are already behind them at the tender age of 12. This is absolutely not the case, however, and with the right advice, a slight shift in attitude, and some new techniques, it’s entirely possible to carry on with the trumpet or pick one up for the first time.
Don’t let your child get discouraged!
What you have to remember is that other children before yours have learned to stick with the trumpet while equipped with braces. That means it’s not impossible! Obviously, if your child is begging you to let them stop because they’re miserable and/or in serious pain, it might just be time to pack it in, but if you help adjust their expectations and maintain a positive mindset, you can get through it.
Is their playing going to sound as good as it used to? Probably not. Will they be upset that they’re not progressing as fast as the other kids? Almost certainly. But if you can remind your child how impressive it is that they’re still pushing forward and learning despite being at a disadvantage, you’re off to a good start.
Top tips for playing brass with braces
Warwick Music Group’s Education Ambassador Grant Golding has put together a comprehensive five-minute video in which he talks through some of the best tips for playing the trumpet with braces. He even had a pair of temporary braces fitted for the afternoon just so he could properly get a feel for playing with them and make sure you get the best advice!
Grant suggests plenty of useful mitigations that you can try at home, and even argues that braces can ultimately become an extremely positive development in your child’s musical journey.
You can check out the video below, but we’ll also be taking you step by step through some of Grant’s most useful tips as you read on.
Orthodontic wax
Making sure you use orthodontic wax to protect and cover, especially on the train track braces that can be a little sharper, is key. Using the wax will help to relieve any pain, and hopefully make the process that much smoother. You can pick up orthodontic wax from places like Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, and (obviously) Amazon - usually for under £5.
Get used to playing with reduced pressure
Try to keep mouthpiece pressure as light as possible! Again, this will help alleviate any potential pain or discomfort and hopefully make for a better sound. Grant advises keeping the right thumb against the casing, before finding the point where the trumpet vibrates without losing air through the sides.
We should stress that finding the right point will take a little practice, but it’s possible to get a good sound without having the mouthpiece pushed quite so tightly up against the lips.
“That’s probably the very first exercise I give all of my students,” Grant explains in the video. “It is a little bit uncomfortable in places, especially around the front of the cheeks, but you can reduce pressure.”
Get used to dropping an octave
Playing with reduced pressure will lead to a drop in range, but this is totally normal and to be expected! Consider switching it up to play things that are a little bit lower and easier to start with. Over the space of a few weeks, your child might just find they’re more used to that reduced pressure and more able to play those higher notes again.
Take it steady!
Make sure your child isn’t overdoing it! It’s important that they know their limits and take it steady, especially while first getting used to playing with braces. Find tunes your child likes, and consider making use of things like BrassTabs and Grant’s own Brass Blast UK YouTube Channel for simple and accessible exercises.
As Grant says in the video guide, it’s all about enjoyment! While it is tough, the whole process will feel a lot easier so long as your child is relaxed and still having fun.
Are plastic mouthpieces easier to use with braces?
For some people, plastic mouthpieces do actually feel much more comfortable to use. While pBone trumpets are made entirely from plastic, we also sell a range of plastic mouthpieces separately that can be used with any brass or plastic trumpet for under £10. You can take a look at those right here.
A new device for brass players with braces
The Buzz Buddy is an innovative lip cushion, designed to make playing brass more comfortable. This makes it a potential game-changer for those with braces who want to continue their trumpet journey.
In a Buzz Buddy review for Mouthpiece Online, John Hutchinson says "Buzz Buddy has proven to be a huge positive and will become an integral part of my teaching students with braces from now on!"
Don’t panic!
“It’s all good, and there are plenty of little strategies to help,” Grant tells us. Simply focus on relaxing, relieving pressure, finding the exercises that work for your child, and remembering that braces aren’t the end of the world. While the road will be a little rocky at times, never lose sight of the fact that at the end of it, your child will be able to play the trumpet and have a beautiful set of teeth. What an unstoppable combo, eh?
If you have any more questions or concerns about this or any other topic, we're here to help. Don't hesitate to drop us a line!
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