Calling all wind players,
I was doing my grade 7 oboe exam today, when suddenly my nose/mouth malfunctioned. You know the bit in between mouth and nose which rattles and vibrates when you snore? It suddenly gave way and I couldn't play without snorting, and about 50% of all the air was going out of my nose rather than through my reed. It wasn't too bad cos I was in the last bit of my last piece, but it's never happened before and it's a really bad time for it! Just wondering if it's happened to anyone else?

Yeah it happened to me when I was busking. Dunno why though! I blew my nose lots and it eventually stopped. maybe it's something to do with temperature?

It's happened to me once. Tragically, this was during the final piece of my final recital at university. I carried on as best I could, left the room with what dignity I could manage, and then burst into tears on my accompanist's shoulder (Michael, if you're reading this, I'm eternally grateful for your support that day).

I still passed though

I have come this across before I can't seem to remember what the explanation from my oboe teacher was but it is something to do with the pressure and instead of your lip going it can sometimes affect that area and you start snorting.

I've come back to this thread, now knowing fully what you meant...when your lip kind of gives way, yes, I know the feeling..ghastly noise!..never happened to me in a solo, but in an ensemble piece it did once, yeah....

Happened in my Grade 8! Poulenc, that long run up to the C# at the bottom of the second page. The thing is, it seemed much louder to me than the examiner because he made no comment whatsoever!

Hang on is it lip giving way that we're on about? Coz that happens all the time! The snorting thing actually hurts!

Yeah the snorting thing happens to me often, usually when i have a cold or if i am getting tired and have been practising for too long. Don't worry i'm sure the examiner thought the rest of your playing was wonderful anyway!

musicmouse

Sorry this is nothing about snorting, but where did you get the little pink smiley 'wub' from ?

Click on "show all" under the smily box, and all the others will appear.

See?

ok