What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
- Roderick [Rod] Sprague IV
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What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
"Trombonests' Lung" - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =129725678
Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
Ewwww!
Annie
from Minnesota
Tá m'árthach foluaineach lán d'eascanna.
from Minnesota
Tá m'árthach foluaineach lán d'eascanna.
Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
Very interesting. I can remember cleaning out my sax and looking with disgust at the cleaning cloth after I finished. It's amazing what can be lurking in there!
Feed the soul art and music -- it will live forever.
Erin
Erin
Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
lurking in a sax?
I remember it crawling out after me!
I remember it crawling out after me!
Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free
It's dizzying, the possibilities. Ashes, Ashes all fall down.
It's dizzying, the possibilities. Ashes, Ashes all fall down.
- Feadoggie
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Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
That's a good reason to not play instruments with twists and turns to their bore!elwalti wrote:Very interesting. I can remember cleaning out my sax and looking with disgust at the cleaning cloth after I finished. It's amazing what can be lurking in there!
I've proven who I am so many times, the magnetic strips worn thin.
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Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
Hmmm.... I think I might start cleaning whistle more regularly after reading that article.
- MTGuru
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Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
The thing is ... And I know that allergies and infections are nothing to sneeze at, so to speak ...
If you're sucking in that much air from the bore of your instrument - wind or brass, it doesn't matter - yer doing it wrong.
If you're sucking in that much air from the bore of your instrument - wind or brass, it doesn't matter - yer doing it wrong.
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- Flexismart
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I play several flutes, many whistles, many guitars, bouzouki, banjo, and own way too many pedals.
I could open a music store if I didn't live in the back woods of Pennsylvania. - Location: PA
Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
A good friend of mine (who's an excellent whistler from Moscow, ID) once went to a workshop at the Seattle Folklife Festival (several years ago, now).
The instructor, I've forgotten her name, played a couple of tunes to warm up the crowd and show off her skill.
Just after playing the tunes she took a big SUCK on the whistle, to clear the fipple.
My friend and I gasped at each other, in awe that she'd blow out into the whistle then suck back in the whistle dribble.
For the rest of the workshop we didn't even listen to what she said, and only waited for the next big fipple suck.
The instructor, I've forgotten her name, played a couple of tunes to warm up the crowd and show off her skill.
Just after playing the tunes she took a big SUCK on the whistle, to clear the fipple.
My friend and I gasped at each other, in awe that she'd blow out into the whistle then suck back in the whistle dribble.
For the rest of the workshop we didn't even listen to what she said, and only waited for the next big fipple suck.
- brewerpaul
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Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
Get over it... it's the best way to clear a whistle. What you're sucking back is merely condensed breath moisture that was in your own lungs just moments ago. Most people cover the window and blow, but blowing into the whistle can actually worsen the problem it's trying to clear: all you're doing is blowing MORE moisture into the whistle. Additionally, a quick suck can be performed right in the middle of a tune if necessary, with no need to move your hand to cover the window.Flexismart wrote: Just after playing the tunes she took a big SUCK on the whistle, to clear the fipple.
My friend and I gasped at each other, in awe that she'd blow out into the whistle then suck back in the whistle dribble.
I heard that woodwind story on NPR the other day. As gross as it was, we can take comfort in the fact that this is not much of an issue for a short straight instrument like the whistle which dries pretty quickly after playing. And as Guru said, if you're sucking that much crud back into your lungs, you're doing it wrong.
- Flexismart
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I play several flutes, many whistles, many guitars, bouzouki, banjo, and own way too many pedals.
I could open a music store if I didn't live in the back woods of Pennsylvania. - Location: PA
Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
Very authoritative - but not very convincing........
- brewerpaul
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Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
Think about it... there's saliva in your mouth RIGHT NOW. Does that gross you out? Why should moisture that left your body only moments ago be offensive when reintroduced?
(although most whistle moisture is condensed breath, not saliva, but the idea is the same)
(although most whistle moisture is condensed breath, not saliva, but the idea is the same)
Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
Paul, that is just sooooo gross!!
Kissing would be much worse then, wouldn't it?
Please save us
Kissing would be much worse then, wouldn't it?
Please save us
Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free
It's dizzying, the possibilities. Ashes, Ashes all fall down.
It's dizzying, the possibilities. Ashes, Ashes all fall down.
- Sigurthr
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Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
Ocarinists suck all the moisture (saliva and condensation) back in after/during playing quite frequently, as is there no way to clean the inside of an ocarina (no way to wipe the fipple or labium under side) and blowing just makes it worse.
Many ocarinas are impossible to completely dry the inside with any means at all, so moisture inside just rots for years!...... and then is sucked back in small amounts when playing =P.
Many ocarinas are impossible to completely dry the inside with any means at all, so moisture inside just rots for years!...... and then is sucked back in small amounts when playing =P.
My Flutes:
James Galway JG3 Spirit Flute
Gemeinhardt 2sp Student Flute w/ Custom Series S Headjoint
19c Antique German Orchestral Flute - Huller/Lyon-Healy/Meyer 13 key - "Frankenflute"
Aulos A440 Grenser Traverso
Baroque, Classical, Trad - I play it all.
James Galway JG3 Spirit Flute
Gemeinhardt 2sp Student Flute w/ Custom Series S Headjoint
19c Antique German Orchestral Flute - Huller/Lyon-Healy/Meyer 13 key - "Frankenflute"
Aulos A440 Grenser Traverso
Baroque, Classical, Trad - I play it all.
Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
My apologies in advance to the squeamish. After seeing this thread, I was reminded of a pic Phil Hardy posted on his site last year. A customer sent his whistle back due to a stuck tuning slide. The least of his worries IMHO!
Re: What can happen if you do not clean a wind instrument.
ah, Jimmy the toothless whistler's whistle!
Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free
It's dizzying, the possibilities. Ashes, Ashes all fall down.
It's dizzying, the possibilities. Ashes, Ashes all fall down.