Klarinet Archive - Posting 000048.txt from 2006/09

From: "Sheri Rolf" <slrolf@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] soft palate air leak
Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2006 09:55:56 -0400

Sometimes, during the course of a tonsillectomy, tissue from the soft palate
is inadvertently removed. If enough is removed, then the nasopharynx won't
properly/fully close. This seems to have been more prevelant during the
surgical era that you describe, Karl, most likely because anesthetic
techniques were such that speed was of the essence. Sometimes some--or
all--of the uvula is removed as well. It seems that folks who lack a uvula
experience more difficulties with post nasal drip--for reasons that are
totally unclear to me. I have never read anything scientific about
this--just an observation.

So, a nasopharyngeal air leak may well be--and probably is--something a
little more involved than simply having a tongue position that is too low.

Sheri

-----Original Message-----
From: Karl Krelove [mailto:karlkrelove@-----.net]
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 8:40 PM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: RE: [kl] soft palate air leak

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
>

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