Chiff and Fipple Forums

It appears that I have a little something stuck in the windpipe of my soprano,. half of the notes are rolling or fibrillating badly. I can see something (food) and can't blow it out. I used condensation fluid this morning but it didn't help. I read to NEVER insert anything into the windpipe. What to do?

You could cut a cardboard strip and push from the voicing end (where you have the window, chamfers and blade). Not towards because you don't want to risk these delicate areas if it's something hard.

And/or let the recorder dry out completely, remove and replace the block (it's not that hard if you know what you're doing).

And not get food in your recorder again.

Remove and REPLACE the block? Or remove the block, clean off the bit of matter, and re-insert the block? I've seen a video by Sarah Jeffries on this, but it makes me nervous. I'd need a wooden tool (spoon?). would the wooden dowel that holds the drying mop be too skinny/unhefty to knock out the block? probably.

Yeah I brush my teeth before playing but I have gappy teeth and food gets lodged in. Looks like I need to floss too.
I was nervous that I'd inadvertently gotten oil on the block and that was the problem. But I see an obstruction in the windpipe.

jeffrey armbruster wrote:Remove and REPLACE the block? Or remove the block, clean off the bit of matter, and re-insert the block?

The latter. Never crossed my mind that you might think the former! But I think the cardboard will work anyway.

I'd need a wooden tool (spoon?). would the wooden dowel that holds the drying mop be too skinny/unhefty to knock out the block? probably.

How thick is it, and how rounded at the end? I'd prefer something squared-off to rounded, but would quite happily chop an old wooden spoon handle or heavier drum stick (know any drummers?) for the job.

Thanks Peter; I'll try the cardboard tonight. I'm new to this, so--scary! I'm really enamored of this soprano and can't afford another one of such quality.

edit, later: success!! with the very thin piece of paper.

Do you know the best way to blow out your recorder after playing? It might prevent further incidences of this kind.

Take the recorder apart, put your hand over the hole where the middle joint is inserted, your mouth over the window (without touching the labium in any way) and blow hard - the air is supposed to come out by the windway. That will remove moisture (without pushing it further into the recorder) and with a bit of luck small particles of whatever will come out with it.

And during playing there's people who insist you should suck out any moisture, not blow it out.

Thanks Kade; I do that maneuver sometimes (often) when playing to remove moisture if my recorder has become hoarse or stops speaking in the low notes. I'll try to remember to do it when I finish too.

I'm just about over my, umm, discomfort at the idea of sucking moisture out the windpipe. I see that it's a good idea. And it's only my own spit, after all.

jeffrey armbruster wrote:edit, later: success!! with the very thin piece of paper.

Good, well done.

jeffrey armbruster wrote:I'm just about over my, umm, discomfort at the idea of sucking moisture out the windpipe. I see that it's a good idea. And it's only my own spit, after all.

Shouldn't even be your own spit... just condensation from your breath.

Peter was faster, I thought the same thing when I read your post. Does that make sucking easier?

jeffrey armbruster wrote:Thanks Kade; I do that maneuver sometimes (often) when playing to remove moisture if my recorder has become hoarse or stops speaking in the low notes. I'll try to remember to do it when I finish too.

I have a feeling I didn't explain "my" procedure (didn't invent it, just read it and my teacher agrees it's the best way) clearly enough because one probably wouldn't use it while playing as one needs to take the recorder apart to do it. It's not about blowing into the mouthpiece while covering the window, but the other way round: One blows into the window and the air comes out the mouthpiece - assuming one has covered the big hole at the opposite end tightly enough.

Kade, that's the maneuver that I do. Now I'll do more sucking while playing and the last maneuver at the end. And yeah, there's an obvious joke here. that maneuver should have a name, like the Heimlich.

Hi...it's been a while since I've been on here. If you have a very soft wooden toothpick, you can use this to pick out the particle very gently and carefully. I also use toothpicks if I need to scrape off built-up residue of wax at the joints. Hope this helps.