Posted by Roger Lewis on April 28, 2003 at 15:46:28:
In Reply to: Playing the Asthma Blues posted by Keith C. on April 28, 2003 at 15:13:06:
I grew up with severe asthma, but I really wanted to play the tuba (mainly to get away from the clarinet that I hated). I worked at breathing big, playing big and moving a lot of air. Three months after I started I won a competition on it and life began for me then. I have never been bothered by my asthma since developing a strong practice ethic. Currently I have a 6.5 litre capacity, which is considered to be 127% of normal, my expusion rate is 123% of normal and no signs of my asthma.
I have had many students who were also bothered by asthma. After getting them moving more air their efficiencies improved to around the 100% area and many started to get involved in sports that they had avoided before because of their asthma.
I believe that you can beat it - but it takes lots of work but you have to love the result.
Roger