RE: Vocal Issues (Full Version)

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Christina6778 -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/31/2008 6:08:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hhqbass

Greetings!

When I sing (or talk, for that matter), I seem to have to clear my throat a lot. It seems that phlegm incessently builds up in my throat.

Does anyone else experience this? If so, what did/do you do to resolve the problem?

Thanks!

Hi hhqbass! I have the same problem much of the time + some draining into my left ear canal. I went to ENT doctor & he put me on Nasacort. Cleared up the ear problem. I was at NQC [day before a big showcase, of course] so I stopped at Wal-Mart & told the pharmacist I was a singer, currently on Nasacort, and now having major drainage into my throat, what would you suggest? She suggested the cheapest thing on the shelf [less than $3]... can't recall what it was right now (the bottle had green print) but anyway... no cotton mouth, just dry nasal passages!!! Praise the Lord!!!

I would normally say go to the ENT, period, but I had no choice at that crucial time, so the Lord led me to the right person! Amen!

quote:

ORIGINAL: hhqbass
Here's another question...

What, if anything, can I do to extend the low end of my vocal range?

Thanks again!

Yeah, I've also been working on this one too! I do a simple 5 note sliding exercise starting in a comfortable area and slowly working my way further than I can go... I was always taught that during warm-ups we should include the ugly parts of our voice (during practice) to stretch our voices (top & bot.). You also might try lip-trills [lip-buzz] as low as you can go.

I've been able to stretch about 2 whole-steps over the last 4 months [:D] (I'm already at the bottom of what is normally the Alto range, so I'm not probably gonna be goin' much lower). [:(] I also have to stay away from caffeine! It really messes up my lowest notes.



bigboytenor -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/31/2008 6:54:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hhqbass

Greetings!

When I sing (or talk, for that matter), I seem to have to clear my throat a lot. It seems that phlegm incessently builds up in my throat.

Does anyone else experience this? If so, what did/do you do to resolve the problem?

Thanks!


What do you drink? Do you eat a lot of sugary or greasy food? Those would be two places to start. Try drinking water consistently. It will thin the mucus. Also, when you clear your throat just blow air, don't phonate (make sound, like hmhm) that's very hard on the vocal cords.

Robitussin is a great medicine for getting rid of that stuff as well. It has an expectorant in it that will break up your flegm and you can spit it out.



BattleScarred -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/31/2008 8:31:09 PM)

I had the same problems with that stuff draining down my throat too. What solved the problem for me was taking a combination of Mucinex and an allergy tablet (antihistamine). Kerr drug store sells a generic store brand of Mucinex and an allergy tablet that works better for me than the name brand stuff. The downside to this is that I get dry mouth, which is one of the problems I wrote about. I would rather have the dry mouth and drink a ton of water than to have that mess draining down my throat. I also sadly found out that if you try to sing with that stuff in your throat, it will cause you to lose your voice very quickly.

As bigboytenor said, Robetusin works wonders. Our former lead singer discovered that little secret in the studio. The studio engineer kept a bottle in the mixing room for emergencys.



bigboytenor -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/31/2008 11:29:55 PM)

Just watch using antihistamines that you don't get dried out. Some of them can really mess you up, some are not so bad.

As BattleScarred said, water, water, water. Not necessarily while you're singing, but hydrate before and after.



hhqbass -> RE: Vocal Issues (2/1/2008 3:28:36 PM)

I mostly drink water. In the morning I have a glass of orange juice and a glass of milk (skim) with breakfast and usually have a glass of milk with dinner. Otherwise, it's usually water, water, water.

I'm not a big fan of sweets so rarely eat sugary foods and I avoid greasy foods as much as possible.

On days that I know I will be singing, I usually do not drink milk at all. On those days I just have orange juice with breakfast and stick with water for the remainder of the day.

I do this hoping/expecting that it will help alleviate the phlegm problem when singing time rolls around. Does that qualify water and juice as "expectorants"? [;)]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try.



hhqbass -> RE: Vocal Issues (2/1/2008 3:32:55 PM)

I failed to mention that I have never experienced losing my voice as a result of the phlegm situation. It is just a nuisance feeling the need to clear my throat frequently during a concert.

I'm not sure how much (if at all) folks in the audience notice it but I feel a bit self-conscious about it and fear that it is distracting for the audience.



Jess77 -> RE: Vocal Issues (2/1/2008 3:46:25 PM)

Chest voice? Head voice? Falsetto? You sure you aren't talking about colds here? lol Now I know why I can't sing. [;)]



bigboytenor -> RE: Vocal Issues (2/2/2008 12:34:58 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hhqbass

I failed to mention that I have never experienced losing my voice as a result of the phlegm situation. It is just a nuisance feeling the need to clear my throat frequently during a concert.

I'm not sure how much (if at all) folks in the audience notice it but I feel a bit self-conscious about it and fear that it is distracting for the audience.


I'd try some Robitussin about 1 1/2 hours before you have to sing. Also, just be careful how you clear your throat. Most people kind of "growl" flegm out (for lack of a better term coming to mind right now) and that's what is rough. You may not lose your voice from it, but in one of my vocal pedagogy classes I remember reading that if you were to clear your throat for 30 seconds straight it could cause damage to your vocal cords that would take more than a month to heal completely.

BTW, no, that doesn't make water or milk an "expectorant." Funny stuff.[;)]



AngelInWaiting1983 -> RE: Vocal Issues (2/10/2008 5:02:03 PM)

Ok so I have to throw my 2 cents in.

The more water the better. Especially on days when you do have to sing. Its better to not have anything with sugar in it. Milk and soda is one of the worst things to drink before you sing.

Taking vitamin C helps too.

NEVER use a chloraseptic spray!

Let the mic do the work for you. You can always be turned up. Learn how to work the mic for when you need to be louder at points.

Its better to sing from your chest or your head than to push it from your throat. If you do having trouble singing in head voice just make sure to drop your jaw so you can get enough air and relax.

Warm water with honey and lemon does wonders if you are sick and have to sing. Make sure you don't put too much lemon because it will strip your vocal chords.

I get really dried out sometimes while singing. I keep half a piece of minty gum in my mouth and that helps to keep my salivating.

Like everyone else has said, if the problems are consistent and bothersome see an ENT.

Hope this helps.



HigherNote4U -> RE: Vocal Issues (4/16/2008 6:06:37 AM)

Here is an update and a highly recommended type of product. When I started this thread under "BattleScarred" I talked about my sinus problems. A good friend of mine suggested me using a product called a "Neti-Pot". I watched some clips on Youtube and said a polite "No Thank You". Well, he went as far as to buy me one and gave it to me. I promised I'd try it. Now, a couple of months later I am a true believer in this thing. I am pretty much off of my allergy meds. I have had to take them twice since I started using the Neti-Pot and this was when I didn't use my Neti-Pot for a few days. This thing cleans up everything in your sinus cavities. I no longer have the dry throat and mouth as a by-product of the antihistamines, etc.

I still say water,water,water but for others out there that have allergy related sinus problems I would say spend a few bucks and invest in a Net-Pot. BTW- I actually love using mine now. The warm salt water actually feels great to my sinus cavities.



GVfan -> RE: Vocal Issues (4/16/2008 6:45:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HigherNote4U

Here is an update and a highly recommended type of product. When I started this thread under "BattleScarred" I talked about my sinus problems. A good friend of mine suggested me using a product called a "Neti-Pot". I watched some clips on Youtube and said a polite "No Thank You". Well, he went as far as to buy me one and gave it to me. I promised I'd try it. Now, a couple of months later I am a true believer in this thing. I am pretty much off of my allergy meds. I have had to take them twice since I started using the Neti-Pot and this was when I didn't use my Neti-Pot for a few days. This thing cleans up everything in your sinus cavities. I no longer have the dry throat and mouth as a by-product of the antihistamines, etc.

I still say water,water,water but for others out there that have allergy related sinus problems I would say spend a few bucks and invest in a Net-Pot. BTW- I actually love using mine now. The warm salt water actually feels great to my sinus cavities.


How long did it take you to get used to using the neti-pot?



HigherNote4U -> RE: Vocal Issues (4/16/2008 7:00:23 AM)

It took me a few times to perfect the technique. You have to see what works for you. My head has to be turned just right and mouth must be opened. I found that for me it was easier to take a deep breath and hold it than trying to breathe through my mouth while using it. I always seemed to swallow the solution by accident if I tried to take a breath. It's self correcting, I assure you.

I did find that the warmer the water (not too hot though) the better it feels and works for me.



GVfan -> RE: Vocal Issues (4/16/2008 7:36:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HigherNote4U

It took me a few times to perfect the technique. You have to see what works for you. My head has to be turned just right and mouth must be opened. I found that for me it was easier to take a deep breath and hold it than trying to breathe through my mouth while using it. I always seemed to swallow the solution by accident if I tried to take a breath. It's self correcting, I assure you.

I did find that the warmer the water (not too hot though) the better it feels and works for me.


Thanks.



Qtman -> RE: Vocal Issues (4/16/2008 8:39:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HigherNote4U

It took me a few times to perfect the technique. You have to see what works for you. My head has to be turned just right and mouth must be opened. I found that for me it was easier to take a deep breath and hold it than trying to breathe through my mouth while using it. I always seemed to swallow the solution by accident if I tried to take a breath. It's self correcting, I assure you.

I did find that the warmer the water (not too hot though) the better it feels and works for me.


I have been using one on a daily basis since my last sinus surgery about three years ago. I agree with the warm water. It does seem to work better.



HigherNote4U -> RE: Vocal Issues (5/22/2008 9:55:53 PM)

Well, my problems got the best of me finally. On April 26th I came down with a viral infection that the doctors called the Flu. On the 28th I ended back up at the doctor getting a "strep" test done because my throat hurt so bad. It was negative. By 4 AM the next morning I was up and off to the emergency room. My airway closed up on me. They threw my behind in the hospital for three days.

Now this wasn't the way that I wanted to get seen by an ENT, but it worked. Turns out that it wasn't the flu, but some other viral infection that caused my throat to swell and my airway to cut off from the swelling. They ran scopes down my nose and into my throat. I also went back to the ENT for a follow-up last wednesday. They again ran the scope down my throat and didn't see anything that worried them to much.

I asked the ENT about the raspy voice, dry throat, etc. He believes that I have acid reflux and it is causing all of these other side effects that I have previously listed. I am on meds now and hope that this gets it under control. The doctor said that he is seeing this more and more with singers lately. I wonder why? I know SOGO singers hit those "Aweful Waffle" joints a lot!!! I also asked about the effectivness of the Net-Pot. He said that they work and he highly recommended them.

So, I know there are no bumps or cancers or any other injuries to my throat now and hope to be hitting those high notes again soon. The sickness really wiped me out for a little while there.



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