Can a player with asthma learn to play a wind instrument ?

Question

Can a player with asthma learn to play a wind instrument ?

Answer 1

I have a deviated septum, and therefore, mild asthma, and I've played the flute and piccolo (and a little clarinet) for about 20 years!!!!

Answer 2

Sure, I know lots of people who have asthma and play instruments that require air. You just have to get used to it, because it takes a lot of air. It makes you stronger though, because you have to take lots of deep breaths and regulate your air. You'll be fine.

Answer 3

Yes they can play without any problem actually.

My sax player had a worse issue than that Denise,...when we practiced on weekends, many times, I had to bring him to the hospital after the practice.

HE said that one of his lung needed inflation and I though he was kidding. I used to joke with him  and asked him if he had a flat tire ....Lol

The hospital used to blow it back out . Then I took him home and we practiced like nothing happened. He said it is normal and he is used to it.

I can see a flat tire but a flat lung ?

Answer 4

Yes for sure. They have to rest more and get wind out more often than a normalperson.

Answer 5

Yep, I'm a music performance major, and I have some wind playing colleagues that have asthma, and are still excellent musicians.

Answer 6

You might find yourself struggling for breath with asthma and some instruments. I would suggest the flute or piccalo, they both require little lung power and you will not find yourself gasping for air during a concert. I've taken up the flute and my asthma is fine!

Answer 7

Yes indeed !!! In fact, Pete Fountain, a famous New Orleans jazz clarinet player is asthmatic and his doctor told him as a kid to play the clarinet rather than the drums to help his lungs. The rest is history !!!

The following extract is from a Music Industries Association newsletter:

    Asthma is serious; 5.1 million people in the UK have asthma, every 7 hours someone in the UK dies from asthma. 75% of hospital admissions due to asthma are avoidable (source - Asthma UK).

Learning to play a wind instrument teaches the sufferer to breathe properly and can also improve lung function. Therefore, when asthmatics get an attack they are less likely to panic. People who rely on inhalers or even steroid treatment to stave off their breathlessness and panic attacks can minimise the impact asthma has on their lives - naturally. Recent research found significant improvement in the condition of children with asthma who learned to play wind instruments."

So in my opinion, break out the band !!!

Tex