Klarinet Archive - Posting 000043.txt from 2006/09

From: "Sheri Rolf" <slrolf@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] soft palate air leak
Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2006 22:35:02 -0400

David,

The technical term for this would be velopharyngeal incompetency. This
occurs as a transient problem fairly frequently after tonsillectomy and
adenoidectomy. In those situations, the mass of the tonsils and adenoids
serve to partially occlude the nasopharynx so that the the levator tensor
palatine doesn't have to do much. After this tissue is removed, the muscles
need to "learn" their job and "train" to perform it. I would suspect that
this student may have a short soft palate, or perhaps an ill-defined
Passavants ridge. As long as she is speaking, the system is fine, but when
"stressed" by playing, she develops the velopharyngeal incompetency. Are
you thoroughly confused yet?? :-)
Various neurological disorders can present with velopharyngeal incompetency
as well. Myesthenia gravis is one example in which the palatal weakness
increases with fatigue. Such a problem would be fairly unusual in a young
person, though.

The suggestion of redirecting the air has merit, but she needs to strengthen
the palatal musculature and decrease the air pressure. The latter would be
helped by using a setup with a lighter reed. The former can be addressed by
a speech therapist. Most schools have a speech therapist on staff, and most
are very interested in becoming involved with situations that are a little
unusual.

Hope this helps a little! Good luck,

Sheri

-----Original Message-----
From: David B. Niethamer [mailto:dnietham@-----.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 6:46 PM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: [kl] soft palate air leak

Has anyone on the list ever had (or had a student with this problem) a
soft palate air leak that got progressively noisier as you continued to
play? I have a student with one now, and she's quite a good player,
trying to practice a lot. This leak is limiting her practice time and
is quite frustrating. Any help toward finding a solution will be
greatly appreciated.

David

David B. Niethamer
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/index.html

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