Klarinet Archive - Posting 000333.txt from 1996/05

From: Everett Austin <austine@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: involuntary air leak
Date: Wed, 15 May 1996 01:46:03 -0400

It seems doubtful, though possible that the symptom described below is a
sign of disease, though that is possible. It is most likely an indication
of temporary fatigue in the soft palatal muscles, leading to an inadequate
air seal.
If this occurred while speaking rather than playing the clarinet it would
result in nasal speech and if while drinking in reflux of liquid through
the nose (something most people have experienced in isolated instances).
In neurologic conditions the most classical example of this is
myasthenia gravis, which causes an unusual and highly reproducible
fatiguability of certain
muscles (eyes, throat/jaw/oral or all). This is a serious disease which
to my knowledge has never yet come to light solely through the playing of
the
clarinet! Conceivably an anatomical variation such as cleft palate could
cause such a clarinet symptom, but these are typically picked up on
routine
medical exams.
Everett Austin
Fairfax, California

On Tue, 14 May 1996, Fred Jacobowitz wrote:

> 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
> >
>