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Re: Soft Palate Leak (Stress VPI)

Author: genekeyes ★2017
Date: 2020-03-27 08:46

"Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) occurs when the soft palate fails to close the oro-nasal cavity, resulting in air escaping from the nose when attempting to blow out through the mouth. In wind musicians, this has been termed ‘Stress VPI’ due to physical stresses imposed upon the soft palate by high intraoral pressures associated with playing a wind instrument."

I developed this problem after throat surgery in 2012. It can be congenital, the result of an accident or, as in my case, a side effect of surgery or other medical treatment. I was advised (by my surgeon) to continue playing and practicing with the hopes of strengthening the muscles involved and eventually resolving the issue.

I found it necessary to make some equipment and other changes to aid in resolving the problem. These centered around:
a mouthpiece with less resistance than the one I had been using.
a softer reed.
Concentrating on using less air and more support.
Playing for shorter periods of time and gradually increasing the time as healing and exercise lessened the problem. The level of success is directly (in my particular situation) related to the degree of healing and the gradual strengthening of the involved muscles resulting from practice and playing sessions. Different causes could obviously result in different outcomes.
Thankfully, my problem lessened and eventually ceased to be a major issue but has not completely disappeared. Periods of inactivity as well as long periods of intense activity can cause fatigue and a temporary return of my problem.

Hope this has helped. Please contact me off line if I can be of any further help.

Gene

Post Edited (2020-03-28 08:51)

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Soft Palate Leak (Stress VPI) new

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2020-03-26 10:26