Posted by Austin H. on March 07, 2002 at 23:18:35:
Lately, (past 2 or 3 weeks) when I play in the low register at high volume levels, I start coughing uncontrolably and have to stop playing. It's like a gagging cough....my eyes water up and if it happens in rehearsal (which is usually where it does) I have to cut out for up to 8 bars before I can come back in. This only happens on tuba (on a typical day at school I play all 3 low brass instruments) and it only happens in the lower register below I'd say A below the staff. Could it be my tonsils? It's gone on for a few weeks...I thought it would maybe just blow over but it hasn't gotten any better. Any suggestions/ideas to what this might be? thanks!
Austin