…or did I just misread the phrase, “cut (one’s) teeth”, which refers more or less to experience? I’m sure, though, that the passage I read specifically said “cut his playing teeth”, which led me to believe that his actual teeth were filed down to facilitate better handling of the reed. I read this a long time ago, so I can’t recall all the details. Thanks!
I believe that you read a poorly-modified metaphor. There are no such things as “playing teeth” as far as modern dental science is concerned. So the writer overextended him/herself a little and the editor missed it. So far as I know, unless you’re, say. a wolf, your teeth are not going to interfere with your ambuchure when playing any woodwind.
Metaphor, pure and simple. I once wrote on my web page:
(nitpick)
Embouchure
(/nitpick)
Thank you.
Too, your teeth wouldn’t touch the reed of the sax anyway. Your lower lip is curled over your your lower teeth, and the reeded side of the mouthpiece rests on your curled lip.