Klarinet Archive - Posting 000229.txt from 1999/12

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Eating before a performance
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 08:04:53 -0500

At 12:34 AM 12/9/99 -0500, Donna Berger wrote:

> Does anyone have eating do's or dont's (foods to eat or avoid, etc.)
> before a performance.

I know that most people will say that they do not eat before a
performance, or that you should not. I am just the opposite - I can't
play well on an empty stomach. I try to just eat normally before a
performance. If I have an evening recital at 8:00 p.m., I try to eat a
normal meal, perhaps a little earlier than usual, maybe around 5:30 p.m.
I will avoid heavy or hard-to-digest foods, opting for something light.

I also avoid foods with a high sodium content, because that seems to
inhibit the production of saliva and can contribute to "dry mouth." I
think that's why someone suggested that pickles should not be eaten before
a concert. Many commercially-prepared foods have extremely high sodium
content, so I wouldn't eat packaged foods such as frozen TV dinners,
potato chips, etc. This might be more important for older players, since
we produce less saliva as we age.

To me, playing while trying to contend with hunger pangs is as bad or
worse than playing on a full stomach. For me, the key word is "normalcy."
I suggest trying to keep your pre-performance routines as much like those
of any other day as possible.

I use almost no alcohol under any circumstances, but would certainly avoid
it on the day of a performance. As far as caffein is concerned, I would
say again to follow your normal routine. If you have coffee or tea every
other day, I would also do the same on the day of a performance, perhaps
not having any in the several hours before the scheduled starting time.
Some people are much more sensitive to caffein than others, so this may
vary quite a bit.

There's a somewhat opposing viewpoint to consider.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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