Brassmonkey

Is there anyone who can share their experience with playing after the braces came off? I had a friend who was a fine French horn player and taught at the university level then completely lost his ability to play after having worn braces. He gave up trying to deal with them while he wore them and waited until they came off to pick it up again. When they came off he had a beautiful smile but couldn't play! He spent 2 + years trying to get it together but out of frustration (and depression) he decided to give it up altogether.

In the mid '70's when I was actively freelancing there were a number of players that had dental casts made in the event something happend to them - auto accident, etc. They were convinced that they would never be able to play again with a new set of teeth unless that set was a duplicate of what they had.

My wife would like me to get my not so nearly perfectly aligned choppers fixed but I have always had that fear lingering in my mind. I now teach in the public schools (elementary + an after school band program) and play faily regularly.

Any survivors out there?

Roland