Can someone who has asthma play a woodwind instrument?

While there has been some research into how playing a wind instrument affects asthma sufferers, as of yet there is no clear proof that it will “cure” your ... most asthmatics is a “constriction” of air flow, and a smooth and constant airflow is one of the most important traits for any woodwind or brass instrument. read more

Instruments like the saxophone requires more “power” and can tire out a person with severe asthma, and can even induce an attack, if they’re particularly sensitive. Of course, “power” isn’t really like say, trying to inflate a balloon, but more about the volume of air and the velocity required, depending on the instrument. read more

Any woodwind instrument will help an asthmatic by increasing lung capacity, and learning controlled breathing. Always make sure a teacher is aware of the problem though, and if the student is a child, make sure you talk about whether or not the teacher can help with inhalers etc if needed. read more

I'm a flautist mainly but as a woodwind teacher i can also play (to some extent) clarinet, saxophone and recorder. I also have tried oboe - had a pupil wanting to play so i HAD to learn! Must admit i fnd it pretty difficult regardless of how the lungs are behaving or not. Right now playing clarinet is a struggle too. read more