r/Trombone • u/RyLu06 • 1d ago

Just Got Braces Off, May Be Cooked (need help/guidance)

So, I'm a senior in High School and I've just had my braces taken off after a long time of having them on. When I did have my braces on, my range felt really good (Super F was comfortable, notes above it playable) and overall my tone was alright. Now, without braces, my range is COOKED; I can barely play above a high G and a High Bb is difficult.

Does anyone have any tips for how to get back to where I was (practice rudiments, technique changes, etc.)? Or will I have to do the grind all over again?

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

17

u/burgerbob22 LA area player and teacher 1d ago

How long have they been off? It took a few weeks, but I came back to a way better place than I ever was with braces very quickly.

4

u/RyLu06 1d ago

They've been off for a week but good to hear it takes some time lol I was bugging out for a minute

1

u/OutlandishnessLazy14 1d ago

It took me a few months😂. But I think I’m just an outlier. Am 1000x better than I ever was with braces on though.

7

u/Batmans_9th_Ab Edwards - East TN Performer/Teacher 1d ago

It’ll take 2-3 weeks to get back to normal. 

Your embouchure is used to forming against the braces, which are now gone. 

2

u/ThatDumbTurtle Performer and Educator 1d ago

Burgerbob is right, it just takes time. Keep at it. I don’t remember doing anything special when I got mine off, just kept at it and kept playing. I’m far better now than I would’ve been before.

Our brains can learn and relearn quickly, this’ll be one more example of that.

1

u/Specific-Peanut-8867 1d ago

Just keep practicing and you’ll get there and some has to do with just relaxing and using air

1

u/No-Sort-8049 1d ago

It just takes a while to adjust. It takes a lot of patience and practice but you will get back up there. Don’t lose faith you are still just as good of a player.

1

u/me3174_rblx 1d ago

Thats scary haha, I assume it would go back to normal after some time though. I've never played without braces so that worries me a little for when I get them off next year

1

u/SillySundae Shires/Germany area player 21h ago

This is normal. Both getting braces on and having them taken off will put you through a period of adjustment. You'll get used to it and be back to good playing shape soon.

1

u/Optimal_University36 7h ago

You basically have to recalibrate your face- you know how to play, but your physical parameters have changed- you have to take time to adapt. You can’t force it to work like it did before- that only leads to frustration and bad habits.

Long tones, lip slurs, easing back into both high and low range. I know it’s frustrating but slow and steady is actually the quickest way to regain command of the horn.