Recently, my sinuses keep coming very blocked and tender. It hurts when I try to practise, so I have stopped, but I getting very fustrated as I getting back into wanting to play. What silent practise techniques could I use, so that I can sort-of keep playing (and keep the piece I am currently working on ticking over)?

Thanks,
Ceri

Well you could try silent practice I expect. Fingering as if you're playing, making sure you get the timing right, while sort of singing it in your head? I've read on here somewhere a suggestion to do this when your embouchure gets tired, to build finger muscle memory for it. So it should help you?

Hope you're better soon

How long have you had the problem for? If it's a while, it might be sinusitis; in which case, a visit to your GP might be advisable. Have you had a cold or allergic reaction recently?

Otherwise, if it's quite a recent thing, get some Vicks Sinex .

I'd certainly avoid the bassoon until it gets better; if the flute rattles them too, then you are likely to have fluid filling them. Our sinuses are not really designed that well - they are pockets of air in the skull, but although they have a drainage hole, it's at the top, so the sinuses fill up with yuck and can't easily get rid of it. Your doc is able to give you antibiotics if they're needed - tell him or her that it is affecting your playing. Other tricks include steam inhalation - with menthol crysals in but go easy as these are very strong. Or a decongestant spray.
I practised for grades 7 and 8 whilst waiting for my kids to come out of ballet and drama classes, just going over the fingerings with the music and not blowing. I felt a bit of a twit, but hey, it did me no harm.

I agree, some finger only excercises should be fine for now

HI, Be very careful about using too much Vicks Sinex and decongestants, as you can get what is called rebound congestion, when it comes back worse than before.
Steam inhalation is good, it is the steam that does the trick. My own GP reccomends hot honey and lemon drinks. There is something in the combination of the honey and lemon juice that makes the mucus runnier, and therefore easily gotten rid of. ( Gross I know )
If you have pain in the sinuses, then a trip to your doc would be in order as you may have an infection.
Lastly, don't play whilst like this, as you may well blow the mucus into your eustachian tubes (throat to ears)
and get an ear infection too.
More than you ever wanted to know.
Play silently until you have it sorted out
Beverley.

Thanks all. I have just had a trip to the doctors, but at the moment they just think it is a virus. This time my sinuses were have been blocked since sunday morning. I had trouble with my sinuses over christmas , but they gave me these antibiotics which cleared them slightly. Just seems something/someone is trying to stop me from playing bassoon .

Ceri.

Hi there

I've found I've had the same problem but I don't think its a virus. The bassoon air pressure just forces all the mucus down what I'm guessing must be my eustachian tubes (throat to ears? read it in beverly's post) ...strangely comforting to know I'm not the only one with sinus things going on...at least you can treat it, I should probably go to a doctor about mine. The crackly noise inside my head doesn't sound very good...

Hi. My sinuses cleared, so, I started to practice a little. But, after playing a scale, they came back with avengance (and decided to play my ears up as well) . I'm supposed to be playing for a GCSE performance this week. I'll have to play the bassoon line of a keyboard for the time being.

Julia- that doesn't sound good...

I know, it really isn't, I should very much see a doctor before something happens where I can't play bassoon anymore. Scary just to think of that, actually