So, I woke up this morning with a sore throat, a cold chill, shit drippin outta my head, and a massive headache. Guess I've got myself a nice head cold or something.
Anyways, my questions is... is it bad to try to sing with a cold like this? or is it better to try to work your way thru it?
Sick + Singing
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Colton
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Sick + Singing
Laugh if you want to, really is kinda funny, 'cause the world is a car and you're the crash test dummy.
First, some advice on treating it from a singing perspective, even though ya didn't ask. 
If you have a humidifier, a.k.a. "cool mist humidifier", use it, mainly at night in the room you sleep in, but any room you're going to be ocupying for a while is good too.
Drink plenty of water.
Vitamin C. Either orange juice, or pills. Echinacea, an herbal supplement, *might* help also.
As for whether or not to sing, I can only offer you my own experience; Had the same feeling a couple weeks back. Treated it as above, except didn't use the humidifier. Sang at a Friday night outdoors show, went alright, though I felt a little scratchy by the third set, I only sing a handful of songs anyway. Had another gig the next night, I could barely talk, let alone sing.
So, your mileage may vary.
If you have a humidifier, a.k.a. "cool mist humidifier", use it, mainly at night in the room you sleep in, but any room you're going to be ocupying for a while is good too.
Drink plenty of water.
Vitamin C. Either orange juice, or pills. Echinacea, an herbal supplement, *might* help also.
As for whether or not to sing, I can only offer you my own experience; Had the same feeling a couple weeks back. Treated it as above, except didn't use the humidifier. Sang at a Friday night outdoors show, went alright, though I felt a little scratchy by the third set, I only sing a handful of songs anyway. Had another gig the next night, I could barely talk, let alone sing.
So, your mileage may vary.
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REDillon
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I've studied voice for years. So I have some experience here. That being said, Never sing with a cold or flu. All you do is overcompensate vocally and do more damage to your throat and vocal chords. If you think you need to sing and aren't in the midst of a full blown attack, take Clariton, because it won't dry out your chords. Drink an ass load of fluids, (water is best), loosen up the mucus in a hot shower, pop some vitamin C and rest before a show.
Here's a nice "tea" that helps open you up and sooth the throat. Mix all to taste. Not too much lemon or it will scald the already raw throat. It tastes like a hot lemonade.
Hot water (drink when warm, duh)
Honey
Lemon
Nothing will cure you, except time.
I'm not a doctor...but I play one in the bedroom sometimes....
Here's a nice "tea" that helps open you up and sooth the throat. Mix all to taste. Not too much lemon or it will scald the already raw throat. It tastes like a hot lemonade.
Hot water (drink when warm, duh)
Honey
Lemon
Nothing will cure you, except time.
I'm not a doctor...but I play one in the bedroom sometimes....
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Colton
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntm1YfehK7UREDillon wrote:Nothing will cure you, except time.
I feel better already!
Seriously tho, thanks for the tips. I'm just not gonna open my mouth for a few days.
Laugh if you want to, really is kinda funny, 'cause the world is a car and you're the crash test dummy.
Words from experience. Back in lat 2001, I was very sick and could barely speak and we had a gig. The show must go on. Unfortunately, at that time, I was singing lead on 75% of the tunes and backup on all the others. I over compensated and pushed way too hard and I felt something go wrong in my throat in the middle of the gig but I just kept psuhing on. The next day, I noticed it was worse and over the next few weeks, I had a constant sore throat and could not sing songs that I could sing before. After going to a throat doctor in Pittsburgh, I was told that I had torn one of my vocal cords. It took years to heal and it has never been quite the same. The plus side is that I can sing much higher now with no strain but my lower mid range singing voice lost some control.
Be very careful and don't over do it.
Be very careful and don't over do it.
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CHICKSINGA
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If you are coughing go to the store right now and get Delsum! It's a miracle! Every couple years I get Bronchitis so bad I cough my head off and voice gets either gone or upper register suffers. Since Delsom I haven't lost my voice at all and I've never missed a gig!
If Music be the food of Love, Play on...
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Colton
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"Be very careful and don't over do it"
After hearing that, I'd have to take these words of wisdom.
Delsum eh? I'll check into it.
You know it figures this shit would happen to me the day before a few people are coming out to jam for the first time.
Life just likes to bend me over and 'eph' me in the 'ay' like that sometimes.
alot of the time...
After hearing that, I'd have to take these words of wisdom.
Delsum eh? I'll check into it.
You know it figures this shit would happen to me the day before a few people are coming out to jam for the first time.
Life just likes to bend me over and 'eph' me in the 'ay' like that sometimes.
alot of the time...
Laugh if you want to, really is kinda funny, 'cause the world is a car and you're the crash test dummy.
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Blue Reality
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Singing
I've studied for years too and you have to be very careful. The chords get irritated and mucus builds around them and the chords "thicken" which robs the chords of their ability to vibrate quickly, i.e. the higher frequencies and "high notes". If you sing, sing very thing down an octave and do not under any circumstances push past anything that feels uncomfortable.
Also Do Not Take Tylenol or Ibuprofin under any circumstances when you sing. They mask any pain or irritation and you need to know when you hurt or are uncomfortable. They are your warnig signs.
The best thing to do is not sing... have someone sit in on vocals. If you gotta do it, let the audience know that you're sick and the vocals will not be up to par that night. Take it easy on yourself.
Also Do Not Take Tylenol or Ibuprofin under any circumstances when you sing. They mask any pain or irritation and you need to know when you hurt or are uncomfortable. They are your warnig signs.
The best thing to do is not sing... have someone sit in on vocals. If you gotta do it, let the audience know that you're sick and the vocals will not be up to par that night. Take it easy on yourself.
Chuck Mason and Blue Reality
Some good advice, so far. Nobody's mentioned rest, though. Get lots of sleep, and perhaps mist difficult for me, shut up. Many times I'm fine when I get to a gig, but I blab so much, it's rough by the time I start singing.
I also bought one of those Vicks dealy-bobs you plug in and put a camphor cartridge into, like an room freshener. I put one in the receptacle next to my bed, and it actually broke things up fairly well. I also carry a Vicks inhaler, which helps keep things moving during the day, but don't use it more than once or twice a day, or you'll get addicted.
Mucinex DM works, too, if you're clogged up. I, too get chronic bronchitis, and it helps clear up the stuff in your lungs.
Ya gotta be careful with anything, though. I used to get excellent results with good ol' Mini-Thins (bronchodilator, plus a little bump), but I wasn't aware I had high blood-pressure... my doctor said it could have killed me easily... between the bronchitis weakening me, the adrenaline of a gig, and the ephedrine, I would've just had a stroke and checked out.---->JMS
I also bought one of those Vicks dealy-bobs you plug in and put a camphor cartridge into, like an room freshener. I put one in the receptacle next to my bed, and it actually broke things up fairly well. I also carry a Vicks inhaler, which helps keep things moving during the day, but don't use it more than once or twice a day, or you'll get addicted.
Mucinex DM works, too, if you're clogged up. I, too get chronic bronchitis, and it helps clear up the stuff in your lungs.
Ya gotta be careful with anything, though. I used to get excellent results with good ol' Mini-Thins (bronchodilator, plus a little bump), but I wasn't aware I had high blood-pressure... my doctor said it could have killed me easily... between the bronchitis weakening me, the adrenaline of a gig, and the ephedrine, I would've just had a stroke and checked out.---->JMS
As Songsmith stated, avoid talking as much as possible; especially in a loud environment like where music is playing or lots of people are talking at once. This will force you to talk or shout louder than normal and put additional unnecessary stress on your throat and irritate your vocal cords. Talking puts lots of strain on your voice.
Hot tea with honey, lemon, licorice, or ginger will loosen up congestion and soothe your throat. If possible, chew gum during the performance to keep your mouth and throat from drying out. Avoid throat sprays or lozenges such as Vicks, Cepacol, or Chloraseptic right before or during the gig because they contain anesthetics such as Phenol or Benzocaine that have numbing properties and if you can't feel your throat getting sore and strained, you will have a tendency to push harder because you don't hurt as badly and will end up in much worse shape. There are other throat lozenges you can use that do not contain these anestheics.
Hot tea with honey, lemon, licorice, or ginger will loosen up congestion and soothe your throat. If possible, chew gum during the performance to keep your mouth and throat from drying out. Avoid throat sprays or lozenges such as Vicks, Cepacol, or Chloraseptic right before or during the gig because they contain anesthetics such as Phenol or Benzocaine that have numbing properties and if you can't feel your throat getting sore and strained, you will have a tendency to push harder because you don't hurt as badly and will end up in much worse shape. There are other throat lozenges you can use that do not contain these anestheics.
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DirtySanchez
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Ginger Brandy or good bourbon like Makers Mark. Clears ya right up.
The lemon constricts your throat and Honey will phlegm you all up.
Drink room temp. water too. Ice water constricts your throat as well.
The best thing really is rest and no talking though. If you gotta do it just get the whiskey.
The lemon constricts your throat and Honey will phlegm you all up.
Drink room temp. water too. Ice water constricts your throat as well.
The best thing really is rest and no talking though. If you gotta do it just get the whiskey.
"You are now either a clueless inbred brownshirt Teabagger, or a babykilling hippie Marxist on welfare."-Songsmith
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AnimalInstinct625
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I'm really glad I stumbled on this post myself...because I was literally on my way out the door to get some hot tea for my throat. I have the same nasty infection and am finally due to jam and sing with a guitarist this week in Altoona for an up and coming project.
My throat feels like I gargled razor blades, and my vocal chords are enveloped in a case of mucus.
Just my luck! I hope it clears before Sunday.
My throat feels like I gargled razor blades, and my vocal chords are enveloped in a case of mucus.
Just my luck! I hope it clears before Sunday.
You bring out the lemming in me.
Did Jim Price show up at your gig?!?
Everytime I become congested with a headcold, he shows up. Everytime!
If you can, explain to the crowd that you have a cold that is effecting your voice and then sing everything an octave lower. They will understand.
If not - ninja kick them in the damn head.
Everytime I become congested with a headcold, he shows up. Everytime!
If you can, explain to the crowd that you have a cold that is effecting your voice and then sing everything an octave lower. They will understand.
If not - ninja kick them in the damn head.
Jae Smith
Root and The Fifths
www.rootandthefifths.com
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Root and The Fifths
www.rootandthefifths.com
www.facebook.com/rootandthefifths
www.twitter.com/rootfifths
www.pabands.com
The previous information I provided was from the throat doctor and vocal therapist I went to after I tore my vocal cord. I found this information on a health website about taking care of vocal cords for singing.
How to Keep Vocal Cords Hydrated
Keeping your throat, sinus cavity and vocal cords well hydrated is essential to maintaining a quality singing voice. Proper hydration not only gives you the energy needed to sustain a performance, it helps prevent sore throats and vocal cracks.
1. Drink eight to ten cups of decaffeinated beverages each day. Drinking water is the easiest thing you can do, and it works to thin the layer of mucus that coats the back of the throat, enabling your vocal cords to perform at their optimal level. Be sure to stay away from caffeinated tea, coffee and soda as they actually have a negative impact on hydration.
2. Sleep with a vaporizer near your bed. A moist atmosphere is important to overall hydration.
3. Suck on non-numbing throat lozenges to coat the back of your throat.
4. Avoid certain medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, which dry out vocal cords. If you have a cold, suffer allergies or have a sinus infection, try a homeopathic remedy, instead. Take a steam bath, or hold your head over a pot of steaming water several times a day. Likewise, try flushing out your sinus cavity using a neti pot filled with a warm saline solution.
5. Chew gum if you experience a dry mouth. Chewing gum produces saliva, which naturally coats the throat and keeps the vocal cords hydrated.
Tips & Warnings
Do not drink alcohol or suck on antiseptic lozenges. These products numb the back of the throat, which make it difficult for you to recognize the signs of vocal cord strain.
How to Keep Vocal Cords Hydrated
Keeping your throat, sinus cavity and vocal cords well hydrated is essential to maintaining a quality singing voice. Proper hydration not only gives you the energy needed to sustain a performance, it helps prevent sore throats and vocal cracks.
1. Drink eight to ten cups of decaffeinated beverages each day. Drinking water is the easiest thing you can do, and it works to thin the layer of mucus that coats the back of the throat, enabling your vocal cords to perform at their optimal level. Be sure to stay away from caffeinated tea, coffee and soda as they actually have a negative impact on hydration.
2. Sleep with a vaporizer near your bed. A moist atmosphere is important to overall hydration.
3. Suck on non-numbing throat lozenges to coat the back of your throat.
4. Avoid certain medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, which dry out vocal cords. If you have a cold, suffer allergies or have a sinus infection, try a homeopathic remedy, instead. Take a steam bath, or hold your head over a pot of steaming water several times a day. Likewise, try flushing out your sinus cavity using a neti pot filled with a warm saline solution.
5. Chew gum if you experience a dry mouth. Chewing gum produces saliva, which naturally coats the throat and keeps the vocal cords hydrated.
Tips & Warnings
Do not drink alcohol or suck on antiseptic lozenges. These products numb the back of the throat, which make it difficult for you to recognize the signs of vocal cord strain.
