 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Laur
Date: 2001-10-10 17:20
Okay..
What is the best way to practice when you're sick ? I'm sick now - ya know sore throat, stuffy nose etc.. and i'm trying soo hard to keep up with my practicng.. but it hurts sooo much and i just don't have the endurance. With my college auditions comming up fast, i'm scared. I need all the practice time i can get.. any suggestions ?
Laur
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Author: William
Date: 2001-10-10 17:44
Vince Lombardi (legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers--"60s) said, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Over the counter medications to ease the symptoms, and then, do your best. I've often played my best when I've felt the worst--not fun, but I played the gigs, got paid, and kept a "hot shot" sub out of my chair. Blow your nose, and then blow your clarinet--every little bit you can manage will help your auditions. Good luck and Good Clarineting.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-10-10 18:42
Laur -
Take a thick wash cloth or a hand towel and soak it in the hottest water you can stand. Then squeeze it out a little and fold it so it covers the upper half of your face, all the way around to your temples and almost to your ears. Hold it there for 30 seconds or so, until it cools down, and then dip it in the hot water again. Do this for 3 or 4 minutes, and it will loosen up your sinuses. A hot bath or hot shower will do the same for your chest.
For a sore throat, any kind of hard candy works well -- even Lifesavers. You can also take about half a cup of moderately hot tap water and mix in 1 teaspoon each of honey, lemon juice and vinegar. (The honey and lemon juice cut the sharpness of the vinegar, so it won't taste bad.) Sip it slowly and let it slide down your throat. This works wonders for a croaky voice.
By the way, after you have a cold, you're immune to that particular virus, so you won't give yourself a new cold by practicing when you're sick and then picking up the same instrument and reed after you get well.
Do as much as you can. Even long tones help, for as long as you can hold them given the congestion.
Feel better. If you've been working right along, this won't ahrm your auditions.
Get well, and let us know how the auditions go.
Ken Shaw
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Author: ~ jerry
Date: 2001-10-11 00:10
Ken Shaw wrote:
"You can also take about half a cup of moderately hot tap water and mix in 1 teaspoon each of honey, lemon juice and vinegar."
Ken,
the way I was taught was, 3oz. of burboun (or gin), teaspoon of honey, half of a squeezed lemon.
Throw away the honey and lemon juice and drink the bourbon (or gin).
Oops! I forgot this is a family show. In that case take two asprin and call tomorrow. Like William said, you just have to tough it out. I hate a cold as much as anything.
GL
~ jerry
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Author: Sandra Franklin Habekost
Date: 2001-10-11 02:05
When I have a cold, I use voluminous amounts of eucalyptus essential oil as an inhalant, and I flush my sinuses with something called a "neti pot" or a "naso cup" which looks a little like a genie lamp but it's ceramic. An herbal salt mixture with water is put into the cup, and then I irrigate my sinuses. Works wonders. The best thing that I do for myself is to rest when I am sick. In the past when performance was paramount, I practiced warmups and scales to keep in shape before I dropped into an oblivious sleep.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-10-11 04:40
Some colds last a week. The rest last seven days.
No matter what you do. The common cold is the most uncommon.
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Author: Mark
Date: 2001-10-11 11:29
Laur
Most of the posts so far have given you good advice on how to treat a cold.
As for practice, I find that the problem lies in the strength of the embouchure - your mouth muscles.
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When you don't practise, it gets weak.
So, put your thumb in your mouth and squeeze around it just like when you hold the mouthpiece.
In this way you will exercise the muscles. I am sure you can figure out a training routine.
(You might also get some sympathy from well-wishers...)
Mark
Cambridge UK.
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