Klarinet Archive - Posting 000044.txt from 2006/09

From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] soft palate air leak
Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2006 22:41:53 -0400

If you're talking about a pharyngeal leak, I've had trouble with this ever
since my tonsillectomy at age 20 (almost 40 years ago). I assume some slight
damage was done that for a non-wind player or non-musician would have been
inconsequential. In my case it's generally aggravated by two things. One is
fatigue from lack of regular practice over a period of several or more days
(after a vacation, a trip, an illness, etc...). The other is the increased
post-nasal drip that I have during the summer from whatever low-level
allergies I have - seems to make it harder to maintain a seal. The problem
of fatigue after a period of no practice is, of course, resolved after I've
spent a few days catching up. I'm able to a large extent to counter the
summer allergy problem by using meds (nose spray, oral antihistamine, etc.
as needed) to control the drip and keeping a glass of water handy to sip at
every once in a while to keep the phlegm from collecting in the pharyngeal
area. Once it's gotten to a certain point, all I can do is rest. Playing
becomes pretty nearly impossible.

I rarely have much trouble with it during the non-summer months unless I've
been away from playing.

Also, of course, playing on heavy or unresponsive reeds can bring it on.

Karl

> -----Original Message-----
> From: David B. Niethamer [mailto:dnietham@-----.edu]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 8:46 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
>

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org