I've got a small problem (bit gross, sorry!) - when I play for a long time without stopping, saliva kind of builds up, and makes the lip plate so, so slippery! I have to stop and wipe it - and can't play long pieces which have no prolonged bars rest!! I've tried a sticky label on the plate, but it gets soaked in saliva and just slips off! Does anyone else have this problem - how do I stop it?!

Pleaaaase anyone? I've got a competition this week and really need some advice :0

Go to your local drugstore and find some fabric tape. That will help keep your lip from slipping. (There are other types of tape too or stickers/stamps)

I would suggest postage stamps or moleskin. You might also consider having the lip plate engraved (assuming it's solid silver), as a more long-term solution.

This is going to sound really bad, but it works! Nail polish. Don't worry it does come off and won't hurt your flute. I would use clear though and don't get it anywhere near the embourchure hole.

That's an interesting idea, Kara....I'll have to remember that.

Hey chris, you could always try purple or pink sparkles. lol!!

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I agree with Micron. You shouldn't be getting spit around your lip plate like that. I know that sometimes if I eat certain foods it will cause more saliva, so maybe that could be a factor?

Maybe those little bits of glitter in the sparkly polishes would add an extra layer of slip protection!

My friend and I actually took an crappy headjoint once and covered the lip plate in several different colors of glittler nail polish. She put it on her flute and took it to her next lesson that way and the teacher never noticed. We were just trying to get a rise out of her teacher, we like to pick on him a bit. Maybe he noticed, but he didn't say anything. It was funny though.

Though it now looks weird, after reading all the answers, I do wet the lip plate intentionally, before starting to play.
Otherrwise my lips get stuck in a position and I lose flexibility to adjust the embouchure in case of problems. Or so I think...