Can children with asthma play wind instruments?

[Jaylabelle]

Dd (6) is desperate to start playing the flute, but she has quite severe asthma.

Does anyone know if that's a bad combination? Should I be steering her in the direction of the violin instead?

Yep. My friend at school had asthma and was Grade 8 flute. Hope it goes well for your DD

My friend had severe asthma and was advised to take up the flute - obviously check with your doctor, but I think it's seen as beneficial.

Definitely. Playing a wind instrument will be good for her asthma, it improves lung capacity. She should have her inhaler with her (but she should have it with her anyway). I had severe asthma as a child and played clarinet. It’s only mild now as an adult (or rather I’m more sensible about the regular seretide/steroid inhalers!) and I still love playing.

Yes and it's a great idea.

My daughter's peak flow was amazing even when she had raging chest infection ..GP put it down to her flute playing.

Yep, echoing posters above, I had bad asthma as a child, and played the flute (all sizes from piccolo to bass) and loved it. I think it helped with my peak flow.

My daughter with asthma played euthonium.

I played the saxophone as a child with bad asthma

I have asthma, and I play flute and trumpet.

I sing, too. It aactually helps me regulate my breeding.

BREATHING ffs!

I’m childishly giggling at “regulating breeding” I love it. If only contraception was that easy

TheCat learn it now!

I learned to sing at school and it was probably what helped my asthma tbh.

My two nephews who have moderate asthma are learning to play wind instruments, one trombone and the other the trumpet.

I'm asthmatic and I've always found that I have the strongest lungs, in that, the muscles are well practiced at laboured breathing.

So when my asthma is well controlled (it is usually) I find myself in a stronger position than most non asthmatics.

I don't know if this makes sense.

So a big YES, absolutely he should play a wind instrument.

I’m a Flute teacher and playing a wind instrument definitely does help with asthma.
However at 6 she’s a bit young for a full size flute.
These are relatively new to the market and would be a great way to get her started if she’s really keen

www.justflutes.com/nuvo-jflute-beginner-flute-kit-product1316780.html?sku=1353310#gref

Good luck to your daughter - it’s the best instrument

Another asthmatic ex clarinet player here. My peak flow was significantly better when I played clarinet than it is now.

absolutely. go for it.
the controlled breathing is very good for lungs/diaphragm.
but trumpet is much cooler

Definitely go for it - also, look up Alexander Technique for asthma. I watched a documentary on its use when I was 13 and still quite dependent on daily pumps etc - from that day, my pumps gradually reduced until I learnt to breathe my way out of an asthma attack without any drugs at all. Caveat is that my asthma was mild-medium at worst and not life threatening at any point.

Very bad asthma and played the bassoon very badly but it helped my asthma.

someone unfortunately I am also tone deaf, perhaps my school realised this and the asthma was just an excuse

I had to give up the clarinet after a year, 10 yo, because of my severe, uncontrolled asthma. So, it depends, clearly other people were able to make it work.

Did you master circular breathing &TakeMe?

I know you have been told this already, but breath control can help.

If you are wary, talk to your DD's physician first, but I think it'd be very good for her.

TheCat - it is never too late. Buy a second-hand clarinet and play. learn along with YouTube videos. You may surprise yourself.