h...olly ([info]grunge_bunny) wrote in [info]musicaltheatre,
@ 2005-06-28 16:10:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Some help, guys? Right now I just finished my second day of rehersals for Once Upon a Mattress. Last weekend I was sick (sore throat), and since I spend a lot of time yelling and singing in rehersals I've been having bursts of my voice screwing up. My throat is killing me too, and I'm afraid I'm going to lose my voice sometime tonight. My teacher/the director has told me not to talk for the rest of today and drink a lot of tea. (I know tea with honey is good, but I can't eat honey so right now I'm just taking tea, sometimes with lemon.)

Anyway - any tips for keeping my voice firmly in place? I have plenty of time for it to recover before my performances, I'd just like it to stick around so I can reherse. :P

Thanks!
~Holly

(Post a new comment)


[info]skemop
2005-06-28 11:16 pm UTC (link)
There are ways of yelling and whatnot that won't strain your voice as much. You need to have a solid vocal warm up and cool down... don't drink cold water!!!!!!!!!! Drink tepid water.

(Reply to this)


[info]cantatedomino
2005-06-29 12:36 am UTC (link)
drink lots of Throat Coat tea

break a leg!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]lapelflower
2005-06-29 12:41 am UTC (link)
hey sista, soul sista

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]cantatedomino
2005-06-29 06:33 am UTC (link)
heck yes! that stuff even TASTES good!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]lapelflower
2005-06-29 06:47 am UTC (link)
I feel like a koala drinking it.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]lapelflower
2005-06-29 12:41 am UTC (link)
Relax everything and don't push, be gentle. Singing and speaking, even stage-yelling, should always feel easy. Remember, we're acting here! Toss your voice out, don't drop-kick it. There's a tea called "Throat Coat" which is made with eucalyptus or something, it numbs the pain and feels nice. For future reference, read this.

Good luck, babe. You'll be great. No worries.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]grunge_bunny
2005-06-29 12:45 am UTC (link)
Do you think I could pick up the Throat Coat stuff at a normal supermarket? (I can get to a Ralph's, Von's, or Whole Foods.)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]lapelflower
2005-06-29 12:53 am UTC (link)
As far as I know they have it at all three. I don't get sore throats anymore, thank God. If you want to save time, I guess you can 411 and call each store to ask if they have it. I'd go with Whole Foods first, though.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]grunge_bunny
2005-06-29 12:55 am UTC (link)
Thanks!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]lapelflower
2005-06-29 12:56 am UTC (link)
Glad to help.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]stanthedevil
2005-06-29 03:32 am UTC (link)
People have reccommended a lot of "quick fixes" which should help you make it through rehearsals for the next couple of days. One more, DON'T talk. If you must talk, speak in your normal voice without straining. Whispering is just as damaging as yelling to a tender throat. For some long term solutions, there are several things you can do:

1) Work with your voice teacher/vocal coach/choir director/music director, etc. Someone with training who can help you figure out how to yell using your diaphragm. If you use that big ol' muscle, you will save your vocal tissues and also produce more sound. As strange as this sounds, if they can't help you, talk to cheerleader that you know. They work on the same technique.

2) Hydrate. You should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces of H2O a day. (EX: 120lb = 60 oz) You'll have to use the bathroom like crazy the first week, but after that you'll feel very refreshed and find that you have more energy and that your vocal folds don't dry out as quickly.

3) No caffeine. If you must have your morning coffee, switch to decaf. Caffeine dries out the vocal folds which can cause extra damage when they are sensitive because of yelling.

4) Ditto on the soda and alcohol. Both products promote dehyrdation and work against all the water you'll be drinking.

5) As some one else suggested, have a good warm up. Always warm up standing (as opposed to sitting at the piano). It takes some working up to, but I now warm up for approximately an hour before any rehearsal/voice lesson. That way I am properly warmed up even if the director/teacher chooses a five-minute-run-thru-the-overture warm-up.

6)Avoid over-the-counter remedies. Throat Coat Tea can't really hurt you because it's all natural. (Just make sure that the tea is decaf.) But avoid cough drops, flem thinners, decongestants, etc. They are quick fixes in an emergency, but with long term use they can cause a dependency which is more harm than good.

7)Work with your voice teacher on different techniques to build vocal stamina. It's hard to do during rehearsals for a show, but maybe in the off season the two of you can work on those techniques so that you don't have any pressure on you.

Sorry if I'm going over things you already know, but my voice teacher has imparted her wisdom and I was able to do a musical, be part of five different choirs, study voice privately (for credit), and still be able to sing at church on the weekends.

Good luck!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]grunge_bunny
2005-06-29 05:16 am UTC (link)
Thanks :) Suddenly I'm more glad than ever that I don't drink soda or coffee (or alcohol).

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Create an Account
Forgot your login?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…