moist lips

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mutepointe
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moist lips

Post by mutepointe »

My flute playing is a whole lot smoother when my lips stay moist. Does this affect other folks? I'm not fond of vaseline type things on my lips to keep them moist. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
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Gostrangely
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Post by Gostrangely »

I use Neutrogena Norwegian formula lip balm, not particularly greasy and lasts for a while.
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Denny
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Post by Denny »

first, stay hydrated
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Post by Sillydill »

Yer Right Denny! :party:

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Post by clark »

Yup I play so much better after a pint or two moistens my lips... Unfortunately I have it on good authority that the improvement in my playing happens only in my own head.

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Post by Nanohedron »

I find that what counts for me is keeping the inner surfaces of the lips moist. If my mouth is dry, the inner surface sticks to the teeth, and playing's difficult.

Since the outer surfaces are normally dry, it's not a factor to me. I'll lick the inner surfaces when I need to. Licking the outer surfaces - for me - doesn't do anything but eventually give me chapping.
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Post by Aanvil »

I have a friend that uses chocolate.

A chocolate Lab!

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Re: moist lips

Post by Wormdiet »

mutepointe wrote:My flute playing is a whole lot smoother when my lips stay moist. Does this affect other folks? I'm not fond of vaseline type things on my lips to keep them moist. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Get a humidifier fer yer house.

It will also help keep things like guitars happy.
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Re: moist lips

Post by Cork »

mutepointe wrote:My flute playing is a whole lot smoother when my lips stay moist. Does this affect other folks? I'm not fond of vaseline type things on my lips to keep them moist. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
An old flute player's trick is to put a clean silver dime in the mouth, under the tongue.

Strange, but true! The silver gets the saliva going, which in turn keeps the lips moist.

Edit: Another thing is to completely avoid things like coffee, tea, soda, milk and dairy products. If you're thirsty, go for fruit juice, instead.
Last edited by Cork on Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by rforbes »

Yeah, that's a problem for me in the winters here--the same low humidity that is unkind to flutes is not good for the lips either. Blistex or Chapstick is certainly better than nothing, but I would agree with Denny--hydration is best. In addition to the pints, a pitcher of water and some glasses on the table helps quite a bit!

Rob
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