Pregnancy and wind instruments

[CardiCorgi]

Does anyone else here play a wind instrument and if so, at what point in your pregnancy did you start to have any problems with breath control or volume?

At the moment I'm still happily tootling away on my flute but I'm wondering how long I can keep it up for and whether the baby will hate it if I start playing again after he/she is born. Another problem is that my teacher has suggested that I take grade 6 this year. The exam session is November/December and the baby is due at the beginning of November. Am I right to assume that by the last month of pregnancy I am not going to be capable of playing well. DH suggested scheduling the exam for after the birth - ha, ha, I really do not see that working!

[bluefootedpenguin]

Hi, I am a Clarinet player and was told that I would manage to play throughout my pregnancy. You might find that as your baby drops down and gives you some space towards the end of your pregnancy that breath control actually becomes easier. I would plan to take the autumn exam, entries don't have to be made til october time ish so you can change your mind. If you put it off, you know it is going to be so hard to find the time after your baby is born to fit in the practice for the exam. I am pretty sure your baby will enjoy the sound of you playing too. I'm a music teacher and so my DD was bombarded with piano, clarinet, drums, keyboards and hoards of children singing throughout my pregnancy and she loves everything musical and noisy. Good luck with the exam and the baby.x

[LilyBolero]

I wouldn't worry about it from the baby's point of view. However you might find breathing an issue - I discovered pretty early on in my 1st pregnancy that I can't sing when pregnant - because I literally faint. As in falling to the floor fainting....which wouldn't be great in an exam!

[moominmarvellous]

I thought that was a clever title about flatulance in pregnancy!

But as it isn't, I'd better leave

[CokeFan]

I couldn't sing when I was pregnant either but didn't particularly feel out of breath doing normal things. Flute probably isn't a problem (unless you feel short of breath/faint when you play).

I was told not to play my cornet after 20 weeks (by another cornet player, not a medical person so could be made up) - something to do with the muscles you use I think - was a bit immaterial as I couldn't have managed it anyway.

[walkthedinosaur]

I had a friend who played a tenor horn in a brass band and I distinctly remember rehearsing for regional finals and having to wait for her to finish a contraction before she could continue, baby arrived 3 hours after rehearsal finished. I don't actually remember her ever complaining of shortness of breath. I suppose it depends on the individual though and where the baby is positioned, but best of luck and go for your Grade 6, the worst thing that can happen is you will have to postpone it.

[Emster30]

Can't advise on wind instruments but I sing in a choir and have found in the last month or so (am 23 weeks) that I can't sing long phrases like I normally can - I just don't have the lung capacity. We had a concert on Saturday and I had to keep taking sneaky breaths here and there!

[LilyBolero]

Be aware that the Associated Board won't give you a refund on the exam fee if you have to cancel - Grade 6 is £55.80 - so that may be a consideration.

[parkj83]

I played my flute all the way through having DS, and I still faff about on it now - don't seem to be having too much problem, but then, I'm only 15 weeks.

I sing too, and am teaching myself clarinet and saxophone (when the sax arrives!) but I've been playing wind instruments for as long as I can remember really. Never seems to have given me issues.

Saying that though, I carried a hooj amount of fluid with DS, so he didn't really impact on my diaphragm that much. He was too busy somersaulting...!

I guess I'll find out more with this one

[CardiCorgi]

Thanks for the advice everyone. So far I'm not feeling faint, long may it continue. My teacher doesn't know that I'm pregnant yet as I'm still only 8 weeks and she's getting quite excited about helping me choose pieces (no, I won't just play the same three pieces from now until November, we have some other things on the go too).

I'm also thinking of taking the exam in the summer session and combining it with the trip to the UK to visit family. Another option is to get my teacher to give me a mock exam when everything is prepared and then when/if I get back into playing again next year to move up to grade 7, it's not as though I need the certificates for anything other than personal satisfaction.

DH plays the piano, so I think the baby will get plenty of exposure to music, we're hoping that it will want to play the 'cello as that would be quite a nice instrument to have in the family

[FatSeal]

Good luck with whatever you decide, I would add in that I can't sing properly now either due to breathlessness, but as I only have to sing dd a couple of lullabies she just has to put up with it!
Also have my fingers crossed that you end up with a musical baby then... dd is tone deaf: the shame of it!!!

[snorkie]

a 'mock' exam when you are ready sounds an ideal option to me. It saves you £55 and the hassel of fitting the exam in with a baby on the way. There's absolutely no need to take every grade in music.

btw, cello is a fab instrument - hope your baby agrees!

[CardiCorgi]

Thanks everyone. I hope the baby agrees about the 'cello! Knowing my luck it will want an electric guitar.

snorkie that is very true, in fact I went in at grade 5 two years ago and was hoping to skip a grade. I think my teacher wants me to do something where there is a bit of pressure and I agree that it will be good for my playing. Organising a small concert where I play the three pieces might also give me the required "fear factor".

moominmarvellous oh yes, wind at both ends at the moment..

[Tangle]

I play the cello in an orchestra - one of the flautists was still going strong at about 7.5 months IIRC, but I think its really just down to seeing how you go.

Cello's are lovely (not that I'm biased ) - but they do come with certain requirements like BIG cars. Especially when your sister also plays. When my parents wanted a new car we had to take the cellos to make sure we fitted!

[parkj83]

Lol tangle you should try when your sis has a double bass... we managed to fit that in my Dad's cherished Maestro for years (don't ask me how!!!)

Nah, give me a good wind instrument any day - much more portable

[cakeywakey]

BTW, your awareness and understanding of breathing will probably come in very handy during labour. I know it did for me

[Tangle]

parkj83 - my sis swears blind i only took up the cello to annoy her . I used to get a lift to orchestra with someone that played the double bass - he had a Ford Grananda, put both front seats down flat then got his bass in spike first through the passenger door. It wound up with the scroll in the passenger foot well lying over the passenger seat.

Why my parents didn't suggest the piccolo I'll never know! Then again, have you seen them move a set of timps? Or a harp always looked like a challenge

[CardiCorgi]

I know why I won´t be suggesting the piccolo to any child of mine. Have you heard one?

cakeywakey now that is a good thought, thanks.

[Bexractor12]

I play percussion and would like to play in the march contest. (due end of April.) does anyone know if I play timps that would damage the baby's hearing in some way?