Dry Mouth Affecting Change of Registers and Articulation
Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 2:12 am
Hello everyone,
I am currently experiencing a performance issue that I have not previously faced before. The problem has come up due to a side effect of my new prescription medication. It is known to cause dry mouth. During everyday playing I have not had terrible problems with dry mouth, but when I am performing issues start to arise.
In the past I have had slight issues with dry mouth as a result of nervousness when performing, but it was something I could always work through. However, now whenever I am performing (especially solo works) I get dry mouth to the point where I always need to keep a bottle of water handy. I think it is a combination of nerves and my medication that result in this being a new issue.
The biggest difficulty I am facing with dry mouth is changing between more of the extreme registers. I am a pretty firm believer in not resetting the embouchure when changing between extreme registers, as this is not always practical when you have to change mid passage and want to keep a phrase going.
Another difficulty I am facing due to dry mouth is lack of clarity on the fronts of notes. This happens in both fast passages and and slower passages. I have been told that it sometimes sounds as if my throat is closing up.
Some things I have tried to help work through my dry mouth are:
1) Making sure I am always well hydrated, I drink about a gallon of water a day.
2) I started using a mouthwash that is supposed to promote an increase of saliva production. (Biotene)
3) Forcing myself to practice with a dry mouth
a) If I start to experience my mouth drying up I continue to practice with a dry mouth and try to work through the difficulties it presents.
b) I also occasionally force myself to have a dry mouth by using paper towel to dry out my mouth. (Not the most visually pleasing method, but it worked
for some players that my previous instructor knew to help combat their issues with dry mouth).
If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated! Cheers!
I am currently experiencing a performance issue that I have not previously faced before. The problem has come up due to a side effect of my new prescription medication. It is known to cause dry mouth. During everyday playing I have not had terrible problems with dry mouth, but when I am performing issues start to arise.
In the past I have had slight issues with dry mouth as a result of nervousness when performing, but it was something I could always work through. However, now whenever I am performing (especially solo works) I get dry mouth to the point where I always need to keep a bottle of water handy. I think it is a combination of nerves and my medication that result in this being a new issue.
The biggest difficulty I am facing with dry mouth is changing between more of the extreme registers. I am a pretty firm believer in not resetting the embouchure when changing between extreme registers, as this is not always practical when you have to change mid passage and want to keep a phrase going.
Another difficulty I am facing due to dry mouth is lack of clarity on the fronts of notes. This happens in both fast passages and and slower passages. I have been told that it sometimes sounds as if my throat is closing up.
Some things I have tried to help work through my dry mouth are:
1) Making sure I am always well hydrated, I drink about a gallon of water a day.
2) I started using a mouthwash that is supposed to promote an increase of saliva production. (Biotene)
3) Forcing myself to practice with a dry mouth
a) If I start to experience my mouth drying up I continue to practice with a dry mouth and try to work through the difficulties it presents.
b) I also occasionally force myself to have a dry mouth by using paper towel to dry out my mouth. (Not the most visually pleasing method, but it worked
for some players that my previous instructor knew to help combat their issues with dry mouth).
If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated! Cheers!