I have a cold right now, and when I was practicing my flute yesterday, my tone sounded breathy. I am wondering does your health affect how your flute tone is?

If its in your chest it might a little otherwise it shouldn`t do

hi im a flute major at uni and there is alot of uncertainty about this but if you cannot breath correctly then your tone will be affected. in addition circular breathing is made impossible whilst clogged up. but tone wise it probably depends on the player and severity if the cold

Well, if you are having a hard time with breathing from your cold, then the tone will be affected, in my opinion. I mean, you need a lot of breath support and a constant flow of air to keep the tone level and in-tune, so if you are having a hard time breathing, then yes. (That is in my opinion though) The flow of air will be disjunct causing things to fluctuate.

Thanks for the advice. Any other tips?

I can breathe fine, but I often cough and sneeze and my throat hurts.

Try taking some zinc, like zinc cough drops.

Thanks

Well, if you are coughing, that prevents you from playing and from the flem (I know gross) but that blocks the air passage significantly, so yes that adds into it.

phlegm

I`m going through a HORRIBLE cold right now, but my tone hasn`t been better. lol.

Been practicing even more since I`m stuck home during the holidays.

Hope you get well! *cough* *sniffle*

it is horrible to have to play with a cold, especially perform while travelling, I find that a tuner sets my mind at ease as having a cold makes it hard to hear, everything seems too flat in pitch

Patrick: That sounds no fun performing while having a cold >_<

Piko: I agree with you that I have been practicing more over break just because I don`t have school in the way

beats performing with a stomach problem or flu or fever or back ache, I have done all of the above

Having a cold also may affect your tone if u are finding it hard to concentrate and get into the music due to feeling groggy

I can concentrate fine.

My goodness Patrick. That`s awful!!