Bleeding Lips

I'm so frustrated. Lately, every time I play [the bassoon], the inner part of my lips bleed. I'm a self-taught bassoonist and now I'm starting to worry that I'm doing something wrong with my embouchure. Am I?

Anyone else get this problem? Am I playing wrong or do I just have thin skin or something?

Sorry if this seems a tad bit strange..

try to use the muscle of your lips only without aid of your teeth.

you can practice with your finger (replace the reed with your little finger) first.

There is lots of help on the internet for self-taught new bassoonists like yourself. Lucky we're living in this age instead of years ago when you had to get advice from a teacher and if there was no one, you just didn't learn. Anyway, try this helpful website for embouchure tips:

http://www.tsmp.org/band/nelson/nelsontwo.html

There is lots more information on the web. Note in her last two sentences she says don't use too hard a reed. This might be your problem in a nutshell.

Good luck.
P.S. I notice if I don't play every day my lips really suffer, so you have to keep at it to get them toughened up.

I do use a medium soft reed.

Do you wear braces on your teeth?

Do you wear braces on your teeth?

No. Although apparently I need to. My bite is really bad, but it's not noticeable.

ANZAC day on Tuesday.. gotta play Abide With Me.. not looking forward to it..

No, I was just thinking, sometimes new braces can cause trouble because of all that metal. I have a bad bite, too, but haven't had your particular problem.

Good luck on Tuesday, by the way.

Thanks.

I think I'm just gonna try not having my lips under my teeth so far. It might work.

you must avoid biting your lips. It's all about breath support. I have metal braces, and have no problems... well, it's uncomfortable..... but what can i do? :-) try to get a good bassoonist who teach you the embrochure thing, and a good breathing techique.