Klarinet Archive - Posting 000328.txt from 2000/12

From: stewart kiritz <kiritz@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Breathing
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 12:14:34 -0500

From: Stewart Kiritz

I'm curious if you find that you play a softer reed than some others and
maybe as a result of the asthma. My asthma is also under control almost
completely with daily medication, but I certainly would find reeds over 3
1/2 strength to be a challenge to my lung power! I find that I get the best
sound and the least exhaustion with 3 or 3 1/2 van doren traditionals. I
also plan to try out the legeres. When I play a hard 3.5 or above it feels
like I am playing on a board, though I know some great players swear by
harder reeds. I just swear at them :)

Stewart Kiritz

----- Original Message -----
From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subject: Re: [kl] Breathing

> on 12/4/00 1:13 PM, stewart kiritz wrote:
>
> >Actually, I suspect that the clarinet is a good instrument for an
asthmatic,
> >since it forces you to excercise your vital capacity and make your lungs
> >more efficient. I do find that over the years I can't play quite as long
> >phrases and so need to find more creative ways of taking in a breath
> >unobtrusively. This is due to the chronicity of the problem. Over time,
> >small airways become somewhat reduced in capacity if you have a lifetime
> >with asthma, unfortunately.
>
> I too am an athsmatic, and, while I don't have any real basis for
> comparison (I've had athsma since I was a kid) I don't have more serious
> trouble with lung capacity now than I did in the past. Playing a wind
> instrument that offers resistance is related to exercises that hospitals
> give respiratory patients - blowing against resistance. So it's a helpful
> thing (playing the clarinet, that is). I do breathing exercises, and I
> take regular medication to prevent attacks. Rarely, I need to take
> Ventolin for relief for an attack. Raking leaves is a no-no! (Gee, what a
> shame!). I also need to be careful about the intensity of physical
> exercise, and about exertion in cold weather (Gee, no snow shoveling
> either!). But for clarinet playing, I'm perfectly normal.
>
> David
>
> David Niethamer
> Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
> dnietham@-----.edu
> http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
> Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
> Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
> Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org