I don’t have anything to eat or drink for at least an hour before I’m going to play with a group. I swallow consciously and thoroughly before we start playing a long set. But I still have to sneak in a swallow by dropping a note or two or three sometimes. It isn’t as easy as sneaking a breath, which I can usually do in between phrases. A flute board discussion once counseled me not to worry, that my body would eventually lose the pavlovian instinct to salivate.
I figure I might be setting myself up for some wisecracks in response to this problem, but I’m interested in the experiences of others who have had or are having this problem.
For health reasons I can’t drink alcohol, coffee, or tea–these have all been suggested as remedies to me.
Lisa
…going to play with a group.
Does that mean it doesn’t happen when you’re playing alone? Is it nerves/stage fright/anticipation? If so, then the solution is probably to reduce anxiety over time by playing out as often as possible. I know that’s not very helpful. I hope you’ll hear from someone with the same experience.
good luck,
Cara
Good question, Cara!
It happens whether I’m practicing alone or with the group. It’s just that I tolerate it and don’t get as frustrated by it while practicing alone. I have a suspicion I over salivate because I have lots of allergies. I don’t want to take meds because they make me stupid. Nerves did used to be a problem when I first started playing with these people, but we are all very relaxed in each other’s musical company now that we’ve all screwed up plenty in front of each other…
Does this happen when you play the whistle, or are you talking about the flute? If it is the whistle, not eating or drinking for an hour before may be working against you. Just the fact that you’re putting the fipple into your mouth could be stimulating your salivary glands. If you are hungry or thirsty when you play, that reaction would likely be worse.
Anyway, you’re certainly not alone. I push so much slobber through my fife that I should dangle a bucket from the end of it. Or wear galoshes.
Um…suck an unripe persimmon?
As for not drinking tea, if its the caffeine that you’re avoiding, there are decaffeinated teas, and it wouldn’t take a whole cup to get the desired effect. In fact, you don’t even have to swallow, just swish a sip of strong non-sweetened, non-creamed tea around and spit it back out.
I second the idea that eating before playing may help.
You could stuff some cotton under you tongue…
I used to salivate a lot…still do when learning new tunes. But, over time, the reaction goes away. These days, I’m more likely to find myself quite dry by the end of a long set. I suspect your friends are right, and that the problem will correct itself over time.
Greg
Jim, Wandering, Tyghress,
Thanks for the replies! I heard that a person’s saliva production increases after eating because it is part of the digestion process, but yeah, maybe I salivate more when I’m hungry and my mouth thinks the whistle is food…
Tyghress, I like your mouthwash idea and I will try it. I bet strong black tea works the best. Mostly I needed to know how usual or unusual this problem is–do others out there end up swallowing notes? Maybe I could learn to drool out of the side of my mouth…the cotton idea was more decorous…
PS
Oh yes, this problem is with any kind of wind instrument. I don’t play with my Persian ney very much at all anymore because the tongue angle required seems to exacerbate the problem…
Cheers,
Lisa
[ This Message was edited by: ysgwd on 2002-07-06 13:18 ]
I find that not eating or drinking for about an hour helps me. (I’m not ready for my next meal an hour after eating, for pete’s sake) My downfall is enjoying a beer during a session or group practice. And I always practice at home soon after dinner in the evening, so it’s annoying. I just let the drool run down my chin. The stares don’t bother you after a few times. Eventually, they ignore you. (Actually, I have a beard, so it’s not so noticeable.)
Tony
What’s really fun is taking a quick breath during a fast tune and aspirating saliva into your wind pipe. Takes real discipline to keep playing.
Clips](http://nwparalegal.com/clipssnip/newspage.htm%22%3EClips) and Snips Tunes
It’s all about me. (And don’t you forget it.)-Tony Higgins
[ This Message was edited by: TonyHiggins on 2002-07-06 13:30 ]
Hey Tony, I forgot about that aspiration complication! Swallowing notes is bad enough, now try coughing them out…
Lisa