For the past few weeks I have been suffering with a dry mouth resulting in the inability to produce notes, it has happened at rehearsal and also at a contest. I've never experienced this before and have always performed reasonably in a contest situation. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Dry Mouth Problem
- Thread starter Meerkat
- Start date
The Cornet King
Active Member
Good tip.
When you get a dry mouth, bite the tip of your tongue lightly, gets saliva flowing through the mouth.
When you get a dry mouth, bite the tip of your tongue lightly, gets saliva flowing through the mouth.
http://www.brettbaker.co.uk/workshops.htm
Look at the sectoin on nervousness has some great advice. Not suggeting you arte nervous at all buyt gives a good way to moisten mouth.
Also so excellent basic advice many people don't do and some excellent advanced advice paticularly for trombonists!!
Look at the sectoin on nervousness has some great advice. Not suggeting you arte nervous at all buyt gives a good way to moisten mouth.
Also so excellent basic advice many people don't do and some excellent advanced advice paticularly for trombonists!!
Vickitorious
Active Member
For the first time on sunday, I took a bottle of water on stage with me at a contest!
Normally, if i get a dry mouth while im on stage, I just scrape my tongue across my teeth, it helps a bit until you get hold of some water afterwards!
Normally, if i get a dry mouth while im on stage, I just scrape my tongue across my teeth, it helps a bit until you get hold of some water afterwards!
my teacher was once telling me he used to get dry mouth
some one told him that, if before he went on stage he took a bit out of an apple then stuck that in his pocket, everytime it happened he could suck on the apple, and the juices, bring your saliva out
he did this, never got a dry mouth again, never even needed to suck on the apple, the fact that he had it just in case prevented it
obviously he ate the apple after 8)
I just take water
some one told him that, if before he went on stage he took a bit out of an apple then stuck that in his pocket, everytime it happened he could suck on the apple, and the juices, bring your saliva out
he did this, never got a dry mouth again, never even needed to suck on the apple, the fact that he had it just in case prevented it
obviously he ate the apple after 8)
I just take water
I always take a bottle of water on with me at concerts and contests. It helps psychologically if nothing else, theres nothing worse than drying up in the middle of a contest!
The downside is, of course, you start to rely on it.
The downside is, of course, you start to rely on it.
bassinthebathroom
Active Member
I find that, whilst water will moisten the mouth, the best to actually stimulate saliva is to eat something with a taste to it before a performance. Fruit Pastilles or Fruit Gums or something like that are a good option. I always carry a packet or Fruit Pastilles with me at a concert or contest. The real challenge is not eating them all before I play!
I went to a trombone master class a couple of years ago at the RSAMD, and the guy playing (can't remember his name...) said that the WORST thing to do is to take water, becasue your mouth doesn't retain it. He then went on to say that the best thing to do is to crush a Polo and leave the powder on your stand and to dab your tongue with it you get dry. Never tried it, but then again I never really need water - but VERY occasionally I take a sip from my spray bottle...
A good quick way (which works for me) that a fellow player told me about , should you forget to take anything with you..
If you get dry, wet your finger with spit (as much as you need and gently rub it on the bump behind your ear.. apparently one of the sailva glands is triggered from there and you can get through most things.
I didn't believe but it has come in handy the last 3 contests I have done
Mic
If you get dry, wet your finger with spit (as much as you need and gently rub it on the bump behind your ear.. apparently one of the sailva glands is triggered from there and you can get through most things.
I didn't believe but it has come in handy the last 3 contests I have done
Mic
Well Worth It
Active Member
winterman said:
This is invaluable.
Never Fails.
Well Worth It said:
Youre a percussionist :? :?: Or have you got other hidden talents?
Well Worth It
Active Member
Talents that were hidden for a pretty good reason.
Laziness.
Laziness.
Dave Euph
Member
standstudent said:
Well that's fair enough for him but it works for me. By playing a brass instrument you are losing water through the physical strain and the spit you lose through buzzing. Basically drinking water rehydrates you so you can keep your water levels up. It's easier to moisten your mouth if you are fresh rather than dehydrated.
So although I can take the point, saying that it's the worst thing to do sounds wrong to me. It sounds like saying that the worst thing to do when you're gasping for breath after a long phrase is breathe ... :shock:
