Klarinet Archive - Posting 000582.txt from 1997/05

From: Karl Krelove <kkrelove@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Playing Clarinet w/Colds
Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 21:57:26 -0400

At 08:56 AM 5/21/97 -0400, Jerry Korten wrote:
>Actually, rather than looking for advice on remedies (for which I am always
>thankful) I was wondering if other people are similarly impeded in their
>Clarinet playing? Do they also have to stop? Is there a way to be productive
>during practice without having one's sound deteriorate? (As it seems to do
>with me.)
>
Sometimes it comes down to you gotta do what you gotta do! If they're
paying you to play clarinet and you aren't bedridden, you find a way. This
is especially true if you're free-lancing and there's no guarantee you'll
be called by the contractor next time if you beg off this time because your
nose is running. FWIW, I take a couple of "non-drowsy" decongestants (the
ones based on pseudoephedrine) and, if necessary, a couple of aspirin, and
then take the deepest breath I can and do my best. I think most, if not
all, of the degradation of tone you hear is only in your own ears - I don't
think it's probably apparent to anyone else. During the early summer
allergy season I've occasionally resorted to Seldane or Hismonal or one of
several other prescription non-drowsy antihistamines that my doctor is
willing to prescribe as I need them. Most of these meds have the annoying
side-effect of keeping my mouth a little dry, but sneezing and coughing are
greater inconveniences.

Karl