 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: BGBG
Date: 2016-12-20 02:14
When I play my clarinet awhile my throat becomes dry and I begin coughing during and after. Not sick; only a short while like half hour, assume it is from breathing in through my mouth and the room humidity according to Acurite is 35%, 70 degrees, and OK.
Don't recall this happening in the summer, but do now that winter is here.
Not sure what to do for relief and wondered if this happens to anyone else and what if anything they do for relief? Maybe it is the room itself but coughing is moreso when playing and less or none when not playing.
Have read that molds can inhabit clarinets and wind instruments and such symptoms occur until sterilize instrument and wash mouthpiece with rubbing alcohol, soap, water.I dont habitually wash my mouthpiece.
Is it OK to use alcohol to clean mouthpiece or only soap and water? What about the reed? Hoped someone has some suggestions.
Post Edited (2016-12-20 02:22)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Burt
Date: 2016-12-20 02:27
If you have a plastic patch on your mouthpiece, the alcohol will soften it. When you replace the patch, alcohol is the thing to use before applying the new patch. Alcohol will not hurt the plastic part of the mouthpiece. It should be no problem keeping the alcohol off the cork.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2016-12-20 19:14
BGBG wrote:
> Not sure what to do for relief and wondered if this happens to
> anyone else and what if anything they do for relief?
Have you tried keeping a cup of water nearby and sipping at it as you practice when your throat starts to dry out?
> Have read that molds can inhabit clarinets and wind instruments
> and such symptoms occur until sterilize instrument and wash
> mouthpiece with rubbing alcohol, soap, water.I dont habitually
> wash my mouthpiece.
Anything is possible, but I think you may be over-complicating things.
> Is it OK to use alcohol to clean mouthpiece or only soap and
> water? What about the reed? Hoped someone has some suggestions.
>
You can use the Sani-spray Katrina mentions, of you can let the mouthpiece soak in soapy water, alcohol or vinegar (which will also remove mineral deposits left by evaporating saliva). I periodically leave my mouthpiece upside down (so the cork isn't soaking) in a shot glass of vinegar. I do it to clean off the white calcium deposits than build up next to the side rails, but it should sterilize the area in contact with the vinegar at the same time.
You can sponge the window area off with warm - not hot - soapy water, but be careful to use a soft sponge with no abrasive in it.
A student in my school band program once brought a mouthpiece to me that his mom had tried to clean by putting it through a dishwasher cycle.
It was a sorry, misshapen mess.
Karl
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BGBG
Date: 2016-12-20 21:03
I like this. I may be overreacting and maybe its from other causes but I seem to cough a lot during and after play and thought I would ask. Intend to wash off reeds after play and clean mouthpiece more than just swabbing it out. Have to admit I have not done much mouthpiece inspecting or cleaning.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-12-20 21:54
Inside air, particularly in older steam-heated buildings, is bone-dry in the winter, so a dry throat is typical. If you have any control over the furnace, there are humidifiers that you can add or adjust. If not, people used to put pots of water on top of radiators to add humidity, or you could boil a pot of water on the stove.
Easier yet is to keep some water next to you and take a sip when you get dry.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: alanporter
Date: 2016-12-21 02:58
Do you have a mild problem with asthma ? Get a doctor or nurse to listen to your chest after playing.
Alan (retired MD)
tiaroa@shaw.ca
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katrina
Date: 2016-12-21 16:13
Here's another thought more directly related to the dry throat stuff (instead of the sanitizing of reeds/mpcs I responded to first):
How long (not per session) have you been playing clarinet? Frequently beginners (first 6 months-1 year) have either too much saliva or too little. Not sure what the physiological reasons are, but it seems to me from teaching for many years that after a while most people's bodies adjust to the saliva requirements of the reeds, etc.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BGBG
Date: 2016-12-22 03:03
Began clarinet as hobbyist in May 2014. Maybe play 30-45 minutes every day or so. Never been told by doctor I had allergies, emphysema, COPD, asthma, or been treated for any of those, but have always had sensitivity to odors, fumes, particles in the air, many times not even aware of them until I begin to cough and produce mucus. Used to think it was lack of mucus production ability but never received any opinions or remedies. I had read on forum where players when ill find blowing tiresome and I experienced same, and I thought maybe breathing through mouth was making me short of breath and irritating bronchii. Then was reading about mold on reeds and instruments and thought maybe cleaning reeds and mouthpieces might help. But as kdk said, I , too, feel like this may be overcomplicating the issue. So I was just looking for some opinions. Always trying to improve. and try new things. I do have water trays in front of air vents and the humidity meter if correct says it is "OK" and I do not feel the air is really drier...25% at 73 degrees reads OK on the meter. Could be just dust. So wanted to pose the question. To be honest I have not felt that excessively sanitizing was a big factor. Just normal cleanliness. No harm in washing MP or reeds occasionally though.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: genekeyes ★2017
Date: 2016-12-27 10:38
Try using an over the counter product called Biotene. It relieves the dryness, lasts for quite a while and has proved to be quite helpful. I have had some medical problems that resulted in dryness of the mouth and throat and Biotene has made it possible to continue playing comfortably.
Good Luck
GK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
