Question: How do I play with braces?

Answer: That's one crappy thing I had to go through during junior high, so I feel your pain. I still have the scars underneath my upper lip. If you JUST got the braces then it just takes time for your lips to get used to it. If you've had them for a while, and your lips still give you trouble, you just need to pay very close attention to fundamentals like buzzing, lip slurs, long tones, and soft articulations. With braces, you need to take extra-special care of your chops. When you play, you need to make sure that the corners are firm, the center is loose and free, and that YOU DON'T PRESS TOO HARD!!! That can be your downfall, if you use excess pressure, and if you try and muscle it, rather than relying on your AIR. You must ALWAYS rely on your air in any situation, but especially with braces. Most of all, take it easy. The braces won't be on forever. Good luck with that....
-Joe
Joe@TrumpetBoredom.com