 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-10-07 03:11
My daughter just had a baby and she has requested that when we babysit for her at our house that I not play my clarinet because she's afraid the "high pitched tones" will hurt the baby's ears. I think this is nonsense, but was wondering if any of you have any knowledge or experience about this. I wasn't playing the clarinet when my kids were little.
Thanks.
Leonard
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2004-10-07 03:39
If that was the case, wouldn't a baby's own screaming hurt its ears?
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Author: kal
Date: 2004-10-07 04:12
Hi, Leonard. This is actually a legitimate concern. Repeated exposure to shrill high notes from a soprano clarinet may trigger the development of tinnitus, which in the case of an infant could be detrimental to speech development. Anything above the staff might be cause for concern. It would be prudent to speak with an audiologist at your local hospital. A surprisingly large number of children placed in speech classes are found to have previously undiagnosed cases of tinnitus. They don't complain because they've experienced it their whole lives, and don't realize anything is wrong. It's sort of like how I got glasses in the second grade: it was my very first routine visit to the optometrist, and my vision was tested at 20/200. I had no idea anything was wrong, because that's how I'd always seen the world.
When it comes to your grandchild's hearing, better safe than sorry, I'd say.
[/my $.02]
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-10-07 05:12
This is not so much a legitimate concern, rather a case where a good dose of common sense is in order, frankly.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-10-07 05:18
From personal experience and with all due respect to your daughter, Leonard, Moms know what's best for their babies. Period.
Beyond that -- don't even think about it 
- ron b -
( Also personally, I enjoy your posts and I'd like you to be around for a while.... )
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-10-07 14:24
Leonard -
If you play in the next room, there's zero possibility that you will hurt the baby's ears.
But you need to keep your daughter happy. This is her first child, right? Every parent is nutty about protecting the first one. They treat them as if they were soap bubbles, when they're actually more like soccer balls. There will be no problem with the second one.
For the time being, play lullabies, and don't remind your daughter when rebellion time comes and the kid gets into head-banger rock.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ben
Date: 2004-10-07 15:58
Couldn't you put cotton or ear plugs in the babies's ears?
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Author: sbbishop
Date: 2004-10-07 16:55
Leonard,
Rather than play with your clarinet when babysitting, play with the baby!!
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-10-07 17:41
Crikey. First of all, I don't know any permanently damaged children of working musicians (OK, emotionally, but that's different). Don't play the horn right into the crib. I don't imagine that was in your plan anyway. Unless your playing sounds like a cat being set on fire, the baby may actually find the music stimulating or relaxing. My baby brother (10 years my junior) couldn't fall asleep unless I was practicing in the next room when we were kids. I practiced with both my kids in "bouncy seats" right next to me. Now I wish my daughter did have a speech impediment, because I can't get a word in edgewise. Their hearing is fine. They can detect a candy wrapper crinkle from two floors away, with all the doors closed.
But, ron b. is right. Sticking your head in the mouth of that particular lion may not be such a great idea. I'm guessing this is a first? It will take a while for your daughter to realize the baby isn't made out of rice paper.
Congratulations by the way.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-10-07 22:21
I appreciate all of your comments and your taking the time to make them. I think that although the weight of opinion seems to be that playing at normal levels and avoiding extremely shrill notes would be harmless, I should respect my daughter's wishes. It's only for a couple of hours right now. As time goes on, if I get the uncontrollable urge to practice I will probably do so discretely and at a safe distance. I've enjoyed everyone's comments. By the way, yes, this is a first child for my daughter and my first grandchild.
Leonard
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