Chapped lips and air flow

[sinebar]

So what effect does chapped lips have on tone production? Does it interrupt the air flow?

[ick27]

The real problem that chapped lips causes is a lack of flexibility. The lips need to stretch a little bit from their resting position to play flute. Drink lots of water and find a lip balm you like!

[flutepicc06]

Chapped lips may also interfere with tone production. Depending on the severity of the damage, they may introduce quite a lot of turbulence into the airstream that can have a negative effect on tone, but flexibility is also an issue. If you increase your water consumption as ick27 said, you should notice a decrease in the chapping, and a good lip balm may help too, but some leave a residue or contain numbing or volume increasing chemicals that might actually make it more difficult to play, so be careful which you use.

[sinebar]

Chapped lips may also interfere with tone production. Depending on the severity of the damage, they may introduce quite a lot of turbulence into the airstream that can have a negative effect on tone, but flexibility is also an issue. If you increase your water consumption as ick27 said, you should notice a decrease in the chapping, and a good lip balm may help too, but some leave a residue or contain numbing or volume increasing chemicals that might actually make it more difficult to play, so be careful which you use.

I have bad, really bad sinus problems where my nose is stopped up a lot so chapped lips is common for me. I also have a bad habit of picking at my lips which probably doesn't help either. Anyway I will have to start using some chap stick. Thanks for all your help.

[Claiken]

I have this problem too... I normally play starting out with chap stick on. I have to wipe off the lip plate alot cuz it gets all gooey, but My lips stay moist alot better. But you dont want menthol in the lip balm... then you cant feel your lips! I have done this before! lol.

[woof]

As flutepicc06 says chapped lips cause turbulence in the air stream and this does (at least for me) cause some difficulties on tonation. I have the problem of dry lips as well as occassionally chapped and run into this all the time. I notice some professionals licking their lips during performances to keep the air stream focused and controlled. I have not tried balms since they do leave a residue on the flute and mostly just deal with the problems- course I am not performing in front of others.

[Claiken]

i forgot to say earlier, my teacher also said vaseline is good for this too. it moisturizes but its not too gunky, lol

[psyc0darkdrag0n]

In my opinion, based on a four year relationship with my sturdy yamaha, I find that yes, chapped lips are a major pain in the arse. However, i know one fool proof method to deal with them, unlike licking your lips. I use this lip balm, which i've gotten quite used to, called Soft Lips. I don' know if its sold in the states or UK, but it does sell in Canada at any Walmart pharmacy.
Anywho, i never used to get chapped lips, so i wasn't used to the lip balm or lip gloss. I've found that vaseline just annoys me (and i don't preferr something to oily near my skin) but i did find that this one lip balm (i) doesn't (/I) leave a funny residue on the flute that could hurt it. I use the lipbalm daily, but when i go to play i put the lip balm on the areas where the wind flow would be directed; that way that area is definately moisturized. I don't put the lip balm on the area where my lip connects with the plate. I also have large lips, so its a little easier for me.
Another flutist I know started using the balm, and its been going good for her as well. I learned that since i started doing that i've been able to put out sound and inItonation a lot better then i used to before i started using the balm. When my lips are chapped theres a problem with the air connecting with the lipplate because of the creases in my lips.

[fluteguy18]

sometimes before a performance [right before I go on stage] I will put on plain[ no scent/ flavor] alcohol-free chapstick. It has saved me a couple of times, and it hasnt ever affected my playing in a bad manner. Sometimes, I will apply it every time I practice in really dry months, or when it is really cold.

[Claiken]

Doesnt 'soft lips' have menthol in it? or just some? Because I have one but it does have menthol which make it harder to feel your lips (well, for me anyway). is there a certain kind, or flavor, that doesnt have that in it?

[sags_3]

My tone gets really fuzzy when i have chapped lips. I had a lesson today and the low notes werent sounding so we were working on that, and when I got back home I noticed that it was my chapped lips that were the problem! I rubbed all the skin off (yep i know....they were bleeding a little!) but straight away i had a booming low register as usual.... I dont know how to stop my lips from drying out in the night whilst sleeping.....?

[Baz]

For all you guys with sore, chapped or otherwise nasty and peeling pink bits, try this (also available in the UK through justflutes)

www.chopsaver.com

From the website...
What is ChopSaver?
ChopSaver is a lip balm. But to say ChopSaver is “just another lip balm” is like saying a Ferrari is “just another car”! ChopSaver is an all-natural herbal lip care product created by me, Dan Gosling, a 20 year professional trumpet player.

What does it do?
Satisfied customers will tell you ChopSaver helps deal with lip swelling, chapping and soreness better than any other product. Less discomfort and decreased recovery time means it can actually help you play better.

I’m a woodwind player. Why should I use ChopSaver?
ChopSaver stays on your lips and won’t gunk up your reeds. Flute players love it too. Many use it while they play. And if you need to remove it, it wipes off easily.