Klarinet Archive - Posting 000543.txt from 1996/01

From: Karl Krelove <KClarinet@-----.COM>
Subj: Throat Pain
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 07:28:29 -0500

On Jan. 14 Rich wrote
>>For the past 3 years or so, whenever I try to play, I experience severe
pain
>>in my throat which enables me to play at all.

Rich,
Convoluted as the idea may seem, could you be trying to play on reeds or a
setup that has too little resistance? My only experience with real pain
(other than the out-of-shape-after-a-week-off variety that goes away after a
couple of days) has been with reeds that were so thin I was actually tensing
to try not to close them. You shouldn't ever have to clench (bite up) on a
reed to make it speak, but beware the setup that feels like you could hold it
an inch away from your left nostril, blow lightly through your nose and play
the Mozart Concerto. I've always found that a really light setup meant
serious pain in my jaw and the upper area of my throat sooner than later.
Seems maybe like grasping at straws, but it's a maybe remote possibility.
Good luck :-).