John Scheckengost posted the following on behalf of an anonymous friend. 3 wks ago I slipped and fell and my two front teeth went through my lower lip resulting in two hard lumps on my lip, one at the lip line (off-center left) and another on the lower lip flesh (also off-center left). From what I have read it needs at least 6-8 months to heal and I can get steroid injections to help soften it, but what I want to know is if anyone has personally been through this. Should I try and play? How should I go about approaching practice so as to not make it worse?
============= I got my lower lip busted open by a drunk in the 8th army band. As I remember, I was able to start playing again after about two months, but I had a permanent lump of scar tissue right in the middle of my embrochure. I learned to play around it - setting the mouthpiece slightly off center, but the amount varies with register, so my jaw moves sideways as well as down and out when I go into the lower registers. Recommend you consult a plastic surgeon ASAP. S/he may be able to remove or minimize the amount of scar tissue before it hardens. It may prolong the healing process, but if you can minimize the scarring, it will be well worthwhile. Adolph Herseth, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony for over 40 years, had a similar injury from an automobile accident early in his career. He received immediate consultation and treatment from a plastic surgeon and was able to make a nearly full recovery. The only after-effect was that he got more red in the face when playing in the upper register. Source: Harald Kupper, former CSO member on several instruments, including horn, but mostly remembered as a violist, teacher and joker. Best regards and wishes for a good recovery, Richard Hirsh _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
