Klarinet Archive - Posting 000587.txt from 1997/05

From: Library Students <ndhslib@-----.org>
Subj: Re: Playing Clarinet w/Colds
Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 10:26:35 -0400

i have a sinus problems, to the point where i have been hospitalized. i
have been told never to play when your "cold" is at its worse without
something fighting this from the doctor. you may want to be tested for
allergies which appear to come at any age. a dear friend of mind who plays
the bassoon had recently received shots for her allergies and has found
that her problems have left by 65%. she performs in an orchestra full
time. i cannot imagine getting colds from a 3 year old as much as you say,
but i guess a doctor is your best bet. try not to get depressed, for this
makes your playing even more frustrating and their is more to life than
getting upset over clarinet playing if you look at the "big" picture. good
luck. let me know how you made out.

Notre Dame High School Library
1400 Maple Avenue
Elmira NY 14904

"The home of the Crusaders!"

On Tue, 20 May 1997 Jrykorten@-----.com wrote:

> 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
>
>