Klarinet Archive - Posting 000328.txt from 1996/05

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: involuntary air leak
Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 21:52:32 -0400

Stephen,
I have had the occasional student with the same condition AND I have
had it happen to ME! It happened when I was preparing for a competition and
using part of that repertoire on a full recital (not to mention
playing a full load of gigs ). Alot of playing. I was
getting sick and was also very tired, including my lip. So I guess I just
put alot of extra pressure on the glottal membrane and it simply couldn't
take the strain so air escaped out the back of my throat and through my
nose. This condition completely disappeared when I had had a chance to
rest a few days and was not playing 5-8 hours a day. I assume that it
will not reappear unless I get into the same predicament.
I assume that there is no need for a medical procedure of some sort
to correct this condition (if indeed such an operation is possible!) and that
the student has a similar weakness which is also temporary - just like mine
was. OK, all you MD's out there. Care to contribute your collective $.02?

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Tue, 14 May 1996 srobb@-----.COM wrote:

> Greetings to the Klarinet list.
> I have a question for fellow clarinetists/teachers out there...
>
> This concerns a student of mine who is having problems playing the
> clarinet. I have a student who is losing control of the air , in
> that air is involuntarily escaping from her nose while she is
> playing. This happens after about 45 min. or so of practising. This
> same student is also asthmatic, although this has not been a problem
> while playing.
>
> Has anyone experienced these sort of symptoms before, or can anyone
> offer any advice as to how the student can deal with the problem..
>
> Thanks in advance for your replies.
>
>
> Stephen Robb
> srobb@-----.com
>