Re: [Harp-L] Dry mouth on fast tunes - remedies?

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Apr 5, 2005, at 5:16 PM, Winslow Yerxa wrote:

> When playing fast fiddle tunes I get dry mouth, and I'm wondering if
> anyone has proposed solutions.
>
> These kinds of  tunes tend to be wall-to-wall 8th notes that go about
> 400 notes per minute.
>
> There is no time to take a drink of water or any other beverage. There
> isn't even time to lick my lips.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to salivate at will, for instance,
> perhaps through auto-suggestion.
>
> Or perhaps there are subtle ways to do something with the mouth,
> tongue, or instrument, that make wind drying less likely.

 I hesitate to get in on this, but I noticed that you are thin. Thin 
people tend to have less moisture in their system. I should know, so am 
I. I also noticed that you are older, same deal here. Older people tend 
to be overweight and actually have excess water. You aren't and don't.
 I would get plenty of liquids during the day before playing. Also, 
avoid spicy, salty, creamy food. They dry out your mucous membranes, OR 
coat them with a sticky film. The film, (at first not that noticeable) 
will turn saliva into elmer's glue faster.
> I'm sure the situation of being out front as a soloist and experiencing
> a surge of fight-or-flight adrenaline doesn't help,

 Now THIS is the one that has me rolling on the floor holding my 
spleen. Winslow (the Wizard), you are SOOO freaking experienced and 
such a 'Vet' that I can't for the life of me even imagine you getting 
anything BUT a case of the 'cools' (never apprehension). For God's sake 
man, you have JUDGED more players than there are leaves on the trees. I 
wouldn't think butter would melt in your mouth. 
(still...ha...ha....ha....oh, I can't take it...laughing).

>  and maybe some kind
> of meditation to deal with that might also help.

 I use a couple shots of Vodka, but a nerve pill might help. Definitely 
don't take a 'muscle relaxant'.
> All suggestions welcome, with noted exceptions.

Ha, ha, I'm sure mine WILL be the exceptions...............smokey-joe
> Thanks.
>
> Winslow
>
>
> 		
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