Have you ever been really excited about a musical performance or maybe even just a music class and woken up with a sore throat? It is off-putting when your throat is sore and you feel like you should not be playing your clarinet.
Clarinets don’t require vocals; they require air being breathed into them, so as long as you feel okay enough to play, a sore throat should not get in the way of the quality of your music. Playing while sick also does not harm your health since the same virus cannot infect you twice, but be sure not to share your instrument with anyone else.
As long as you play with proper care, there should be no issues.
Still unsure if you should be playing when sick? Keep reading the article!
Why Does The Music Quality Not Change?
To understand why being sick does not impact the quality of the music produced, you need to understand how the instrument functions.
Clarinets are reed instruments that produce musical sounds based on the vibrations that are created when air is blown into them. The notes and tunes are changed by pressing the metal keys on the instrument. So as long as you have healthy lungs and enough energy to finger the keys, the quality of the music will not be impacted by sickness.
Can The Infection Be Prolonged If You Play With A Throat Infection?
You cannot infect your clarinet but can transmit the germs to it in the air you blow. But the good news is that a person who is infected cannot be infected twice by the same strain of the virus. So even if you use a clarinet with germs present, those germs are not likely to impact your infection.
Cleaning the clarinet after use can keep you safer; here are some tips on how to do this efficiently.
What To Keep In Mind When Playing With An Infection
Even though you can play with a sore throat, there are certain things to remember.
Do Not Share Your Instrument
Playing your instrument is okay since you will likely not be infected twice, but the clarinet can still infect other people and cause them to develop a sore throat or an infection. Pathogens and germs indeed die on surfaces rather quickly, but safety is still important.
Clean The Instrument Properly
Even though the clarinet does not pose any health risks to you, it must be kept clean for hygienic reasons, especially if you play it when sick. Be sure to wash the mouthpiece after you’re done playing. You can also use wipes to clean the clarinet from the inside. Never wash the whole instrument because that can damage it.
The Conclusion
Playing clarinet with a sore throat is definitely possible and is not likely to make you sicker or impact your musical abilities. Just be sure to take the necessary precautions. If you’re feeling too sick, you can always take a few days off and return later.
