How to get voicebox back in shape

[OldSausage]

Guys, I've got a gig tonight and I've woken up this morning with a scratchy throat and a very gravelly voice - allergies I think. What's the best way to get the old voicebox back in shape fast?

[MikeEdgerton]

Everyone probably has their own way. Stay away from alcohol based products like mouthwash. I've gargled with warm salt water but my personal favorite is bubbly Coca Cola held back in the throat. I also use Halls Mentholyptus cough drops. I know folks that use honey. Good luck.

[golfcourseguy]

When I was doing theatre, "Fisherman's Friend" lozenges were the way to go, when the show must go on. They do have a very strong flavor.

[re simmers]

2 cups of de-caf tea with thick raw honey. Then 2 more cups in about 2 hrs. Don't try to sing until you've done that. Then start with singing in your range, which is your speaking voice. Be sure to take deep breaths before each line and sing from your gut, not from your throat.

Bob

[xiledscot]

Honey and Lemon not too hot.You have already been warned off Alcohol but my grandaddy would have suggested a modicum of whiskey,for it's antiseptic properties...........of course.
Other than that ........... do your Louis Armstrong impression

[Perry Babasin]

+1 on sipping Hot tea with honey (not too hot), but squeeze a little lemon in as well (caffeine optional). Get some Ricola sugar free lemon mint lozenges, they aren't harsh and they are very soothing. I even have them tucked in my cheek while singing. Definitely warm up your voice gently. Also (+1) bring it up from the diaphragm don't keep it up in the throat or head.

[OldSausage]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna try the tea and honey thing, and see how it goes. If that doesn't work I'll bust out the coca cola.

[onassis]

I've had good luck with Jack Daniels and Lucky Strikes.

[Tom Cherubini]

2 cups of de-caf tea with thick raw honey. Then 2 more cups in about 2 hrs. Don't try to sing until you've done that. Then start with singing in your range, which is your speaking voice. Be sure to take deep breaths before each line and sing from your gut, not from your throat.

Bob

Yeah, but don't go out on stage until you pee.

[OldSausage]

Yeah, but don't go out on stage until you pee.

There's no way I'm gonna pee on stage - how's that gonna help?

[mandopete]

I've had good luck with Jack Daniels and Lucky Strikes.

That's for gig where you're doing the Tom Waits stuff, right?

[re simmers]

Adult diapers are a big industry..............

or you can drink the tea at least 5 hours before showtime.

Bob

[Johnny60]

David, also make sure you drink plenty of water during the gig. It'll keep your vocal cords lubricated. Steer away from booze as it can make the throat close up a bit. Good luck!

[Bill Clements]

According to my son, who is an opera singer...not much you can do the day of, other than Ricola cough drops.
But to shorten the duration/severity of a cold once it hits, try the following remedies:
Emergin-C
garlic cloves whole
green tea
ginger
ginseng (pill)
zinc (pill or lozenge)
and lots of water

Another option is to make sure your audience is well-lubricated so they won't care HOW you sound!

[greg_tsam]

Another option is to make sure your audience is well-lubricated so they won't care HOW you sound!

"Remember, Folks, the more you drink, the better we sound! Don't forget to tip your bartender."

[brent1308]

Too late now, but fisherman's friend and ginger and warm (not hot) water. No alcohol, no losenges either as they will only thicken mucus, which doesn't help.

[Astro]

For next time--

I also recommend warm salt water gargles, keeping yourself and throat well hydrated, and maybe warm non cafffiene tea. And lozenges can be good. I forget the ones singers use but it will come to me.

But this time of year with all the mucous that allergies create, I use Mucinex Capsules to cut the thick mucous down the throat. Its over the counter. Very safe. Doesn't dry you out like decongestants (which are a big no no). Take it about 4 hours before the gig and it lasts 12 hours.

I try not to talk too much that day and I do 20 minutes of those goofy voice warm ups prior to gig and I space my set list out so the first few songs are low chest voice stuff.

Finally, consider singing Froggy Went A Courtin or Jeremiah Was a BullFrog.

[neil argonaut]

Also, before or after a gig, inhaling steam, by boiling water, then putting your head over it with a towel over your head. I've heard this is good for hydrating the vocal cords as due to the way the throat works, when you swallow water the vocal cords don't get the full effect as they're closed, but with steam the moisture can get right to them better.

[CelticDude]

Something else that will help, in addition to the above, is something like a neti pot nasal rinse. Kind of gets rid of the source of the drip. Works on both colds and allergy-related stuffiness. Really hot shower also works some. Then a hot drink usually works for me; lots of good specific recommendations already. Good luck.

[OldSausage]

Well, it worked, and I got through the show without losing too much vocal power, so thanks to all for their help. Today, however, I sound like Tony Rice - and I don't mean how he used to sound.

[re simmers]

The honey to use with the tea is buckwheat honey.

Bob

[Tom Cherubini]

There's no way I'm gonna pee on stage - how's that gonna help?

The operative word here is "until", implying that you should pee before you go out there.

[OldSausage]

The operative word here is "until", implying that you should pee before you go out there.

I wish you'd said that before, it would have saved me all that time I had to spend explaining to the cop.

[xiledscot]

Glad you are cured!!!!! Is there a way to reverse the procedure?
I know of several vocalists whose voice box should be surgically......................but perhaps this is unkind.

[Bertram Henze]

I've woken up this morning...

Sing the Blues.

I've had good luck with Jack Daniels...

Careful, that's for external application only.