 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2018-07-02 05:52
This afternoon the local community band played an outdoor concert in a nearby town, a 1.5 hour program. One of our 3rd clarinets was taken by the need to sneeze while we were playing several pieces. He'd sneeze, 10 to 30 seconds would pass, then he'd sneeze again. That would repeat about 8 to 12 times. Those bouts happened twice with another few single sneezes here and there. Though this person is normally very quiet, these were loud sneezes with both syllables apparently unrestrained. It was raucous and audible to the whole band, and was surely audible to the audience.
I asked him after the concert what that was about, and he had no idea, he just suddenly had to sneeze again and again. I've never heard him sneeze before over several years time. If he suffers from any allergies, it hasn't been noticeable to me. It was hot, probably over 90-degrees F, but would that matter?
Any suggestions for this person or for anyone who unexpectedly has to sneeze during a performance? - Or for me (section leader) or other members of the band?
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-07-02 06:50
Did the conductor have him stand for his solo performances?
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Dibbs
Date: 2018-07-02 14:33
I often have sneezing fits in bright sunshine. It's quite common and is called photic sneeze reflex.
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2018-07-02 21:11
Dibbs, that's interesting, and I did a little reading. Bright sun shining under the edge of the bandstand roof was focused on the backs of the 3rd clarinet section when it happened. It wasn't directly in their eyes, but was shining on their music, which in newer pieces might have been bright and white. I'll ask the guy if he's noticed other related symptoms.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2018-07-02 22:05
Dibbs wrote:
> I often have sneezing fits in bright sunshine. It's quite
> common and is called photic sneeze reflex.
My wife evidenced this strongly when she was younger, although I haven't noticed that it is so much of a problem now. As I remember the explanation, it has to do with the pathway between the tear ducts and the nasal passages. The sun excites a nerve reaction in the tear duct, which travels down to the inside of the nose.
Karl
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-07-03 00:10
In bright sunlight does the use of sunglasses help?
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Wes
Date: 2018-07-03 21:57
A recent article in a national musician's magazine discussed the common and often long lasting presence of germs or microbes on reeds and mouthpieces of clarinets and saxophones. Is it possible that the sneezing player was showing some cold symptoms resulting from using infected playing equipment?
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