Help I'm Loseing my Voice!!?

Question

Ok well ive been hoarse for a couple of days, and it seems like i'm gonna lose my voice, but I can't. I could a concert rehersal tomorrow at 700pm. And well what shoudl i do not to loose my voice for tomorrow. I sang for 3 masses on Sunday, and then I had a rehersal for the concert for 2hrs that same night. So idk, maybe im overusing my voice? And then dec 23 ive got the concert, and dec 24 im singing for 2 midnight masses, and thn im singing christmas day. I know its a lot. So what do to not too loose my voice! Thanks

Paula

Answer 1

You've got to be careful with your voice! Don't abuse it! In future, stop talking at the first sign of hoarseness, do not let it go for a couple days before you do something about it!

Stop talking now. Do some light warm-ups tomorrow, but avoid all other talking or singing. Continue this "not talking except to do some light warm-ups once a day" thing until the show is over. Mark (that is, don't sing full-out) in rehearsals, save your voice for performances.

Drink water all the time. In choir we used to say if you aren't peeing clear every half hour, you're not hydrated well enough. The water doesn't touch your chords, but all the water in your system get's them more moistened more roundabout. I also put a little lemon juice in my water bottle. Also drink warm tea with honey; the heat and honey help your throat as well.

Gargle with lukewarm salt water twice a day.

Sleep. Let you body rest as well. You'll need those ab/diaphram muscles to keep projecting, and if your voice gets better but you're exhausted, resting your voice won't have done you any good.

Get some cough drops with either (or all) vitamin C, echinacea or zinc. If you are hoarse because you are or were sick, these herbs quicken healing time. If you are hoarse from over use of your voice, just get the vitamin C ones (its good for energy and the other stuff in the cough drops will be soothing for your throat). Take these throughout the day, though not within the hour before the show (the medicine on your throat will feel unnatural and awkward while speaking/singing).

Even if you aren't 100% by your rehearsal tomorrow, keeping up with this regimen over the course of the show you should see continued improvement. Break a leg.

Answer 2

okay first of all DO NOT TALK OR SING AT ALL until your vocal chord aren't hoarse anymore. Here's some advice:
- drink water,.lots of water
-don't drink anything that is very hot or very cold
-don't drink or eat anything cold right after preforming
-next time you have hoarseness or a sore throat, stop singing right away, or you may risk ruining your voice, permanently.
-ginger and lemon broth with honey, it tastes disgusting but it works
-lemon and honey in hot water
-gargle with salt water twice a day
-gargle mouth wash it will kill most bacteria in the throat
-fisherman's friend and lozanges are now your bestfriend until your voice is back
-rest a lot
-if you're going through alot of stress, relax, the stress could be making it worse
-go see a doctor
hmmm, I can't think of anything else right now... oh wait, and lastly, but most importantly, I don't know weather or not you did this or not, but, warm up properly every time you're going to preform
-oh and don't whisper or yell it's bad for your vocal chords!

Answer 3

Yeah, you are singing too much and probably incorrectly. With good training, you can learn to sing in a way that won't deteriorate your vocal chords after a lot of singing over time. But for now, just force a ton of fluids (only room-temp. water, honey-lemon tea, no soda, juice, or dairy things), do NOT speak or sing at all (if you must, softly and comfortably), don't breathe in cold dry air (actually, inhale lots of steam - that really helps!) and get your rest. Other than that, hopefully you still won't lose it because I know it's really frustrating!

Answer 4

I understand. I sing 7-9 hours a day during the Christmas season. Here's what I do: #1--don't make ANY vocal noise other than what is absolutely necessary-- I wouldn't sing at the rehearsal unless absolutelly necessary and even then I would mark.

#2-Drink drink drink--LOTS of room temperature water.

#3--Do NOT whisper--its really bad for your chords. If you must communicate speak very softly.

Break a leg!

Answer 5

Please take this in the clinical sense, - Shut up. No talking, No whispering NOTHING.

Keep your vocal cords rested and hydrated. You did overuse your voice but if you had used your diaphram for the volume etc. You should have been able to do it. I am assuming you are a professional and practice proper techniques.

I would go to a Dr. NOW to make sure its not an infection and just an inflamation due to overuse.

Answer 6

Do not talk, or reduce to as little as possible. Drink water or green tea, hot tea too- something herbal and soothing. Try things for sore throats like losengers or throat sprays. Ice Popsicles really helped me when I have a swollen throat and on the same verge as you, not being able to talk but because my glands were raw and swollen- gross I know. I am in drama and I have to sing in the musicals, I try to keep my vocal chords gentle by not using them as much, in your case its hard. Watch not to drink milk- it'll kill your chords and what you can do with them, trust me. Watch what you eat, things that are sticky and you know will/could harm your chords are bad. You'll get it down in no time, Good luck

Answer 7

Phoniatrist. Be silent for a week... and for the love of god, get some proper singing lessons, so you can larn how to use that voice without damaging it before you get yourself some nice vocal chord nods and need surgery if you want to sing again!!

Answer 8

Water, water, water, NO TALKING, hot tea with honey and lemon, and some good luck.

Also, a multivitamin might not be a bad idea. It may not be enough to help your immune system THIS time, but if you make it a habit now, it may help protect you from future infection.

Answer 9

everyone gets that now and then . the best thing you could do is not eat choc or crisps nd have lots of water. leona from the X-factor talks quietly after singing so she doesnt lose her voice. so try it out gdluck with the performance!

Answer 10

Well, you should probably go to a doctor instead of asking on the yahoo message boards. One thing, though. Do not whisper because you will strain your vocal cords.