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Re: Clarinet Throat Tension and SVPI

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2020-06-06 19:09

One other thing, since you mention sinus issues, that I find is that during allergy seasons when my allergic post-nasal drip is at its worst my VPI leakage also causes me the most trouble. I can imagine (but not prove) that the extra mucous lubricates the opening that allows air to go through my nostrils and makes the seal less effective. You could try drinking some water when the symptoms develop just to clear the area and, maybe,. buy some extra playing time.

Have you had a skilled clarinetist try your setup (I know in this COVID-19 era that's a risk most people won't take) to make sure you aren't fighting unacceptable resistance?

The most important part of this is to avoid doing anything consciously to try to affect your throat shape or position, i.e. in an effort to get a bigger or louder tone. Let your throat area be natural. In fact, try to let the whole inside of your mouth and your soft palate relax into their natural positions to avoid fatiguing any of the musculature.

I assume when you saw the ENT you told him that the problem develops only after a few minutes of playing clarinet but that you hadn't played before he saw you. It would maybe take an extra bit of patience on the doc's part to have you play for him or in a separate exam room until the leaking starts so he can look at your throat then. You could give it a jump start by first getting it to happen at home before you go to the exam. If the doc were willing to do this at all, it would need to be agreed on ahead of time.

For a more common parallel, I really can't count all the times I've had problems with my car that only developed after running it for a few minutes. A mechanic looking at it when it's cold tells me that there's nothing wrong. Sometimes, if I'm lucky or insistent, he'll test-drive it and see the problem for himself.

Karl

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