I have been cast as the lead in Godspell, but I am just getting over a bad cold and my throat is sore. Plus I work at a bar and I am surrounded by cigarette smoke every day.
I am still hoarse. I am attending rehearsals and singing a LOT in order to learn my part. I am stuck. It's almost like I dont have enough time to allow my voice to heal. Any suggestions?
2006-10-24 17:35:39 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
I am a concert performer who sings 3 times a month for 1 1/2 hours of demanding concert music. In the last 3 years I have not gotten beyond a sore throat.
At the very first sign of a sore throat or a stuffy nose, I fire up the humidifier and I have a travel size one to carry to hotels.
I double up on a vitamin that contains a high percentage of zinc (only while I think I'm getting sick).
I gargle with listerine and swallow a little. It really does kill germs.
In rehearsals I take breaks and gargle with warm water, with a little salt and vinegar. And I don't push it. Letting it rip is for performance (doing it right of course!). Rehearsals are primarily for technique, blocking etc.
I agree with the lemon comment. I think it's too harsh. Vinegar is a great cleansing agent and gets the phlegm out.
I also agree with the others who said to find another job. A smoking environment will only harm your voice and prolong your agony.
Tell your director you are babying your throat for a week. I don't know of one that wouldn't understand.
2006-10-25 18:08:26 · answer #1 · answered by Jan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait, wait, wait. You work at a BAR? If you're serious about singing, QUIT THAT JOB. Ridiculous! you might as well smoke yourself.
Stop singing. Period. You don't have to sing to learn your part. Your director should understand. If not, then mark everything. Or, have someone else sing from the sidelines (for the other cast members' benefit as well as your own) while you do the staging. Or, have an under-study step in altogether while you pay very close attention.
Get plenty of sleep, and spend some time in the bathroom while you steam it up. Drink tea with honey if that helps you. Despite popluar belief, my advice is to skip the lemon; citrus is an irritant. Get plenty of sleep. Stay away from anything that will cause plegm (smoke, OJ, milk, greasy foods, etc) bc clearing your throat will irritate it further. Try to speak as little as possible. Relax your throat with light sighing. Only resume singing once your voice has recovered.
2006-10-25 15:41:18 · answer #2 · answered by chelleedub 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let your musical director know so that you can hold back a bit on the singing during rehearsals, at least for a few days. It's in their best interests as well, otherwise your voice might be shot come opening night, which is bad news for the whole production. Rest your voice as much as possible. Hot tea with lemon and honey helps to soothe the throat.
Break a leg!
2006-10-25 00:46:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anna S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try humming, comfortable humming, especially before you start speaking in the morning. Don't hum notes that are stressful to hum. Humming can help heal your throat. Sleep is very important for a healthy voice. It won't get any better unless you get some - #1. You might also want to drink water, if you don't already. Last but not least, warm tea with honey and lemon is great. Another good tip, make sure you're not yelling, ever. A fatigued voice is a sign for break.
2006-10-25 00:44:59 · answer #4 · answered by Sexy Ray 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's what I do. Keep your throat warm (turtle neck, scarf, etc), drink hot lemon tea, speak only when you absolutely have to (to rest your voice as much as you possibly can). Absolutely no milk or dairy products, and try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
"When you feel sad or under a curse, your life is bad, your prospects are worse" - I love Godspell! Break a leg
2006-10-25 17:11:22 · answer #5 · answered by kattsia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spend as little time outside of rehearsals talking as you possibly can. Avoid yelling at the bar. If possible, sleep with a humidifier, and drink a lot of water. Something like Benadryl will help with swelling.
2006-10-25 00:39:01 · answer #6 · answered by Michael S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hot tea with lemon and honey soothes a sore throat but the only way you will have full use of your vocal cords is to get out of the smoky environment. It will ruin your voice as well as shorten your life.
2006-10-25 02:06:35 · answer #7 · answered by Sunny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must be outside of California (smoke free zone), try gargling with salt water two times a day, take vitamins, drink plenty of water or Gatorade. But you have to get away from the smoke!
2006-10-25 00:46:52 · answer #8 · answered by Sociallyinquisitive 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll also suggest gargling with warm water having some salt in it...
it really works for me
i try to gargle with warm salty water as much as i can 6-7 times a day........
one turn will take less then 5 minutes and remember to do it before going for bed...
avoid - cold drinks/eatables.
you will get nice throat again...
best wishes
2006-10-25 00:48:56 · answer #9 · answered by Freude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can handly it Green
tea will help alot. Just drink it hot. If you can't handle tha taste try hot tea with lemon and or honey. Any hot tea will help really I have had this happen before and it always seems to work.
2006-10-25 00:44:55 · answer #10 · answered by zolnux 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋