Klarinet Archive - Posting 000456.txt from 1997/07

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: tongue piercing
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 13:10:59 -0400

On Mon, 14 Jul 1997, *chelly sue* wrote:

> by the way, i have many piercings in my ears and the only reason i haven't
> moved on to my tongue is because i don't know how it would effect my
> playing, but i know the holes in my ears haven't hurt a thing.
>
> michele
>
>
Ears are made of cartilage and skin, and are also thin -- ideal for
piercing. People in various cultures have been piercing their ears for
centuries. The tongue is a muscle, and is also one that we clarinetists
use in our work. Therein lies the difference. I'd also like to point out
that the tongue is not used merely for articulation, but is positioned in
the oral cavity so as to direct the focus of the airstream. Loss of
mobility or flexibility in the tongue would, I think, cause serious
problems.

BTW, I didn't intentionally try to flame the original questioner; rather,
I made it clear that I was offering my opinion. Faddish hairstyles and
clothes will always be around; this trend differs in that it is physical
mutilation of one's body.

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu