Backpressure and asthma?
- brewerpaul
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Backpressure and asthma?
Hi-- quick question for any asthmatic whistle players...
Have you ever had a whistle that had so much backpressure that it triggered an attack of your asthma?
I sent off a nice Blackwood whistle only to receive an e-mail from an unhappy player who told me that the pressure was so great that she couldn't play this whistle without having an attack.
I'm not doubting her and will be receiving the whistle back for either revoicing (if possible) or refund. I'm just curious about how common this is.
Have you ever had a whistle that had so much backpressure that it triggered an attack of your asthma?
I sent off a nice Blackwood whistle only to receive an e-mail from an unhappy player who told me that the pressure was so great that she couldn't play this whistle without having an attack.
I'm not doubting her and will be receiving the whistle back for either revoicing (if possible) or refund. I'm just curious about how common this is.
- buddhu
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I'm mildly asthmatic - so mildly that I'm probably not the best qualified to comment... All I can say is that the only times whistling has had even a minute effect on my asthma has been after long practice sessions where I would put it own to poor breath control due to my relative inexperience, rather than any feature of the whistle.
To be frank, I'd be surprised if the backpressure from a whistle was a factor in asthma attacks. Anyone with asthma of such severity for that to happen might be considered unwise in taking up a wind instrument in the first place. Certainly I'd recommend they see their quack for advice before continuing, if things are that bad.
To be frank, I'd be surprised if the backpressure from a whistle was a factor in asthma attacks. Anyone with asthma of such severity for that to happen might be considered unwise in taking up a wind instrument in the first place. Certainly I'd recommend they see their quack for advice before continuing, if things are that bad.
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- Scott McCallister
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Ya, I have seen the same thing. Wind instruments can help asthmatics. Don't really know if there is an advanced stage in that disease that would preclude whistle playing. The kids I knew were about mid-range with their affliction. Couldn't really compete in sports. They said playing in the band reduced the number of attacks they were having. One played clarinet, the other saxophone. Both have substantially higher back pressure than a whistle (unless you have designed one with a solid fipple and no windway! )
Not to cast aspersions, but I wonder if this person isn't having a touch of buyer's remorse?
Not to cast aspersions, but I wonder if this person isn't having a touch of buyer's remorse?
There's and old Irish saying that says pretty much anything you want it to.
- stratochicnic
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- brewerpaul
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- Feadin
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Nicki:
Back pressure is how strong you have to blow to play the whistle. It's not how much air you need, but the pressure of the air in the windway.
Paul:
I've asthma too, fotunately now is getting a lot better with the years... I'm making much more exercise and that helps, but it was pretty bad when I was a child. The doctor always told me to inflate ballons, so my lungs will get stronger. I guess it worked....
The lung exercise (more backpressure) will likely produce some asthma symptoms, but it's actually good for the long run.
Hope it helps...
Back pressure is how strong you have to blow to play the whistle. It's not how much air you need, but the pressure of the air in the windway.
Paul:
I've asthma too, fotunately now is getting a lot better with the years... I'm making much more exercise and that helps, but it was pretty bad when I was a child. The doctor always told me to inflate ballons, so my lungs will get stronger. I guess it worked....
The lung exercise (more backpressure) will likely produce some asthma symptoms, but it's actually good for the long run.
Hope it helps...
Cristian Feldman