Klarinet Archive - Posting 000532.txt from 1997/05

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Playing Clarinet w/Colds
Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 09:34:33 -0400

I am the proud father of a 3 year old. But alas I am now also the fertile
receptacle for various cold viruses and other unknown diseases that he brings
home from the playground here in NYC.

Unfortunately for me, I have now gotten no less than a half a dozen colds
this past 9 months as a result (normally I deal with one in the spring and
one in the fall, maybe). My problem is that my clarinet playing goes to hell
in a handbasket when my sinuses are stuffed. I don't know whether it is only
because I can't hear myself (and so I lack the proper feedback) or something
physical with the resonating cavities in my head.

I find that my recovery (of embouchure) is almost faster if I stop playing
completely during a cold rather than try to play through the cold.

What do professionals do when they get colds? Is there a way to work through
them? Do others have colds interefere with their playing to the same degree?
I am driven to depression by this!

Jerry Korten
NYC