falconer
5 posts
Nov 21, 2009
11:54 AM
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3 yrs ago I was diagnosed with asthma. At about the same time I started to have problems with my voice. I would describe it as a loss of range, not being able to hit notes I used to. Would this be related to the asthma or do we lose this, as we get older, I’m 50 now.
I’m on meds for the asthma and it is controlled but the voice problem hasn’t changed, not better or worse.
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Andrew
754 posts
Nov 21, 2009
12:17 PM
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AFAIK, Maria Callas had asthma all her life. Maybe you'll get used to it, and maybe there's a psychological element? OK, I don't have asthma, but a friend who did said that he could control it with mind over matter if he really had to.
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Kinda hot in these rhinos!
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Aussiesucker
442 posts
Nov 21, 2009
1:30 PM
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I have asthma which really only rears its ugly head after I get a bout of the cold or flu. I used to get bouts ca 3 - 4 times per year when breathing became very difficult and recovery slow & constantly had to use puffers both as a deterrent and for relief.
Now it is a rare occurence and its usually over quickly. I am 69yo. I try to avoid the use of any puffer but do always have one for emergencies which are rarely if ever used, and generally go out of date unopened.
I believe that playing the harmonica is very beneficial to ease the symptoms of asthma as well as provide the breathing excercise to lessen the frequency and severity of attacks. I also attribute regular ie 3 - 4 times per week distance swimming of 1.5 to 2 ks each session to being of similar assistance.
Whilst there are many different types & reasons for asthma and wide variances in severity it has long been known that exercises like swimming do assist breathing and generally help asthmatics. 1/2 the Australian swim team at times comprised asthmatics. Similarly Harmonica playing I believe can only assist to strengthen the lungs.
Whilst the above works for me it would depend very much on the individual as to what they find. If eg they are a smoker then the answer is simple but the action very difficult.
I also think environments can have a lot of impact ie I am now retired but when I worked I was in airconditioned buildings, travelled a lot, lots of late nights mingling in smoke filled rooms ie all not good places for asthma sufferers. Also I had little time to devote to exercise.
Lifestyle changes can have IMHO a very big influence on not only helping asthmatics but really everyone. I think playing the harmonica is a good positive choice for an asthmatic wheras playing a guitar (lovely instrument) won't really help you breathe.
Last Edited by on Nov 21, 2009 1:39 PM
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mickil
636 posts
Nov 21, 2009
4:16 PM
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I can't say whether asthma can affect your vocal range, but I have read in more than one place that medical opinion recommends playing harp to help aleviate (spelling?) the symptoms.
bbqbob mentioned it, and I read it elswhere on the www.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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rabbit
57 posts
Nov 21, 2009
5:30 PM
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Google up the word "Buteyko."
It's a man's name and an asthma therapy.
I can't vouch for it, I'm not asthmatic.
Good luck to you.
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barbequebob
113 posts
Nov 21, 2009
6:33 PM
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Asthma has very little to do with vocal range. Proper breathing technique is the main thing. Vocal range change is a natural occurance that will always happen no matter what and it happens very gradually
and it gets noticable about every 5 years. With male voices, you gradually lose the top end of the range but at the same time, you get an increase in the lower end, meaning the voice deepens. With female voices, with some, a similar thing happens, but with some, the exact opposite happens. Since vocal range changes with everyone, unless there`s sufficient medical proof, asthma can be ruled out.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Sirsucksalot
87 posts
Nov 22, 2009
1:11 AM
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I don't know about asthma, but i smoke about a pack a day.
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HarpMan Freeman
92 posts
Nov 22, 2009
8:04 AM
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I've have Asthma as well. I'v haven't had it effect my harmonica playing much. However, I did notice that even if I'm not having an attack, one puff of my rescue inhaler seems to help especially for more demanding songs. It is not necessary but it can be helpful.
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XHarp
219 posts
Nov 23, 2009
8:57 AM
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I suffer from allergy induced asthma. Not nearly as severe as those who have outright asthma, however, a number of years ago I solicited a vocal coach not for vocals but for breathing exercises.
After using these I saw a much improved performance during harp playing. While I can still run out of gas if the club is poorly ventilated or alergies are rearing up(not so much a problem now that smoking is
banned in Ontario) I am better for it.
A vocal coach will help you developed a disciplined breathing pattern for your harp use and will offset the effects of asthma.
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
Last Edited by on Nov 23, 2009 8:58 AM
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barbequebob
114 posts
Nov 23, 2009
9:02 AM
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I agree with you 100% and I gained quite a lot from going to a vocal coach myself, and I recommend ALL players do that. Some years back, they banned smoking in clubs here in the Boston area, and man, was I happy not breathe that crap in anymore, plus I didn't need to air out my harp case at the end of the night to get rid of that god awful stench, and also having to small that crap on my clothes.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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falconer
6 posts
Nov 23, 2009
3:25 PM
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thanks for all the replies guys, blackbird...your last sentence sounds like me. I see the doc in a couple more weeks and I will bring this up.
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