The Dark Lord Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I have my first paid gig with my new band tomorrow in a pub in Chichester, We're down to do 2 x 45 minute sets. Trouble is, I have come down with a cold/virus/bug and my voice is very hoarse and croaky. Of the 25 songs were doing, I sing lead vocals on five of them - and harmonies on about another dozen of them. One of the songs is in D - which is a bit of a stretch for me, even when I'm tip-top. I'm getting better, but does anyone have any tips for coping with cold / sore throats when you have to sing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sticker Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Get to the pharmacy and pick up some Decquacaine lozenges , they totally numb your throat and are gig savers ! Also no booze , but hot lemon and honey will help . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Gargle warm salt water, then lots of hot drinks and lozenges. AVOID cold drinks completely. Have a flask of hot drink nearby at the gig, and if you don't have to drive, a couple or three of whiskys work wonders too. You'll probably find that on the night your throat will loosen up a bit during the gig, but you'll pay for it the next day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I always sound like that anyway. Used to have a singer who swore by that aniseed stuff tht has sticks in the bottle, cant remember what its called, bet somebody on here will know. Dunno if he gargled with it or just knocked it back. Sore throat or not, he was always pissed anyway. Tried gargling with crushed aspirin in water ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Um, whiskey will dehydrate your throat and make it worse. Go to a chemist and get some glycerine (not nitro mix it with hot water, lemon juice and a little honey. It's very good. My vocal coach recommended it and it really works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 [quote name='silddx' timestamp='1339752461' post='1693651'] Um, whiskey will dehydrate your throat and make it worse. [/quote] Indeed, but during the gig itself, not on the days running up to it, it's not a problem. Plus you won't care if it's a problem or not once you've drunk it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Difflam Spray - think it`s available over the counter. It`s a spray with a mild anaesthetic, so it numbs the area you spray it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commando Jack Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I've found that most "remedies" are based around making you more comfortable, so that you're less likely to tighten and strain your vocal chords and emit the dreaded squeak. Find what works for you, but try to make things as easy for yourself on the night as possible, e.g: Try not to talk, and rest up as much as possible during the day. When it comes to the gig, do a longer than usual warm up, really take your time trying not to overdo it. then when it comes to the gig you can give it your best. If possible, consider doling out some of your vocal duties to the other guys. I'd be saving myself for the big song in D (gonna assume that changing the key is not an option?). If your band mates are understanding they may try and rejig the set so that you get appropriate resting time. In my opinion, there is no shame in saying up front that you're suffering, but you'll try to do your best. They might be quite forgiving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 if you're playing'reign in blood' / overkill ' don't worry . You'll be great,) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I think Booby Kimball from Toto said he used to suck glycerine tablets, (and drink lots of water?) so I think silddx is on to something there! I always suffer from colds and sore throats so I reckon i'll be giving this a try myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Chloroseptic spray! It's mad stuff, you can pick it up at Tesco It's worked for mates with tonsillitus (sp?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham56 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Maybe replace the 'D' song with something easier just this once? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cupples Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 As long as you're not asthmatic or have a bad stomach, dissolve two 300mg aspirins in water, gargle and swallow. Also try steaming - get some nearly boiling water and inhale the vapours for a while, that'll soothe your larynx. Lots of water, honey and lemon, no talking. You'll probably be able to get through it, but you'll suffer afterwards! The sensible thing to do is not sing, some way or another... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Don,t force it,I ended up with nodes on my vocal chords-not clever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 [quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1339834364' post='1695010'] Don,t force it,I ended up with nodes on my vocal chords-not clever. [/quote] Sorry to read that. Ignorant questions: Does that then mean you can't sing, or that your voice is worse than before? Does one get them by generally forcing the voice, or specifically when one has a cold or similar? Or both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Really old school treatment my old man used to swear by was Friars Balsam. Asked my GP about it once and he'd never heard of it, bot you can still get it at pharmcies. I think I read somewhere that the Army still use it as a treatment.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Whip up a quick 'Motorhead' repertoire..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Vocalzones, suck one before every song you sing. Or if its really bad do what silddx said the glycerine thing, i read somewhere thats what Joe Strummer used to do. Cheers, Norm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Ribena made strong with hot water - always works for me. It's so viscous it sort of fills the cracks up! On occassion I've been known to dribble a few drops of TCP in it. One thing - no offence intended etc - you say it's your first gig with a new band. Nerves can affect folk in funny ways and I know of two singers who tend to get sore throats when they've important gigs coming up. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Lord Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1339855992' post='1695467'] Ribena made strong with hot water - always works for me. It's so viscous it sort of fills the cracks up! On occassion I've been known to dribble a few drops of TCP in it. One thing - no offence intended etc - you say it's your first gig with a new band. Nerves can affect folk in funny ways and I know of two singers who tend to get sore throats when they've important gigs coming up. Just a thought. [/quote] Maybe nerves were a part of the onset of my sore throat ... although it did come with a full-on heavy cold (hot, shivery, sweaty etc). I'm quite a time-served band geezer - but there are always a few first night nerves with a new band. Makes it fun. Just over three hours to go before we kick off. I have heeded all of the above, I have rested my voice, kept off the booze, got some medication and will warm up my voice before the off. I am on the mend, not 100%, but confident enough that I'll get through it ... and a band-mate will make apologies before my voal rendition of I Only Wanna Be With You in the key of D. Edited June 16, 2012 by The Dark Lord Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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