Brass instrument

[Timpsonboy]

Is there anyone on here with AF that plays a brass instrument as I would be interested to know if it has affected you in any way to the better or worse.I play a trombone and have done for 40 years .I haven't practiced for a couple of weeks but have just started practicing for half an hour or so per day.I feel ok I think.

[CTG99]

Not brass, but I had similar concerns with playing my violin as I was going into AF fairly often after rehearsals. For me it was a combination of a violin stuck into the side of my vagus nerve and sitting at a very odd angle at orchestra as the outside player at the desk. Moving to the inside helped enormously. I also did a series of Alexander Technique sessions, specifically looking at my posture as I played and learned that I was holding it with an iron grip under my chin. A quick change of shoulder rest position and chair (using blocks under the back legs) soon sorted out a lot of the playing issues and I haven't had AF after orchestra since.

My advice would be to try it and see how you feel. If you find that you're having trouble when sitting down, using the cellist blocks under the back legs of the chair might be useful as it helps to open up your body and your breathing system (school hall rehearsal chairs are notoriously awful for musicians!). If you play in an orchestra or band, making sure you're confident with the music also helps - the moment of panic when you're trying to play a difficult passage in a concert is more likely to tip you into AF than the playing itself.

Hope that helps.

Caroline

[Hidden]

I've played flute a bit and not had any problem. But breathing is lighter I suppose, no going red on the high notes!

[Paddinton]

I play a tuba (Eb) in two brass bands. The only real problem has been marching, I get tired too quickly, plus getting overtired is one of my triggers. Only had one attack while actually playing. Gone off 'Funiculi Funicula'.

P.S. As stress is one of my triggers, playing music tend to reduce stress.