Practicing when you are sick or have a bad cold?

[Rev Rob]

The past two weeks I have been suffering from an insufferable cold - a real mucus generator. I took one week off from practicing when I felt the most miserable. As I have started to feel better, but not 100%, I started practicing again. My current problem - late in the day my ears get plugged up and everything sounds muted. Lips and lungs are working fine.

How do you all tackle practice when suffering from respiratory health issues? Inquiring minds want to know.

[TexTuba]

The past two weeks I have been suffering from an insufferable cold - a real mucus generator. I took one week off from practicing when I felt the most miserable. As I have started to feel better, but not 100%, I started practicing again. My current problem - late in the day my ears get plugged up and everything sounds muted. Lips and lungs are working fine.

How do you all tackle practice when suffering from respiratory health issues? Inquiring minds want to know.

I never found a way to do so. If it all possible, I simply did not play. Unfortunately, I have had to play concerts under such circumstances. If you have nothing upcoming, it might be best to simply let the cold run its course completely and not play. Also, it may be more sanitary in the long run.

[1895King]

It can be a pain in the you-know-what. Over the July 4, 1970, weekend, three of my college friends and I went to Denver. On the last day we drove up to Central City. On the way back to Hays, Kansas, my ears plugged up and I could not hear clearly. At the time I was preparing for my Senior Recital to be gi8ven at the end of July and I was in misery as I could not tell if I was playing things correctly. Luckily, it cleared up about 10 days before the performance.

[imperialbari]

Any playing compromising the inner ear pressure should be avoided. If you want to play, then rather do stuff that will relax and open your inner airpaths, which in turn will improve circulation. Anything aiming at strengthening muscles should be postponed until the infection is well away.

Klaus

[peter birch]

I consider practicing when ill (particularly respiratory illness) a total waste of time.

I would agree that, I wouldn't remember anything I achieved by playing in that condition anyway. Don't waste the time though, use it to think about and reflect on your playing, and on the music you play, and you might well find that your performance improves when you do come to pick up your instrument.