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Singing
With A Sore Throat
by Vocal Coach Brett Manning
Author
of Singing Success
Q: Is it OK for me to sing when I have a sore throat?
A:
Depending on what's causing it, singing with a sore throat can be
catastrophic.
I tell my clients, "if it hurts to swallow, don't sing!"
Conversely, if it's a mildly soar throat, consult your doctor
(it's a good idea to find a good ear, nose, throat specialist
in your area and build a relationship with him) and then use your
best judgment. Dry air, singing abusively, and viral/bacterial
infection are some of the more common causes of a sore throat.
Some people just wake up with a sore throat every day of their
life. I've found that the majority of those people have acid-reflux,
which means they are burping up stomach acids while they are sleeping
or sometimes even while they are awake. For most, however, this
happens in the night, so they may be completely unaware of the
problem. They then wake up with a scratchy, raspy voice and a
sore throat.*Editors
note:
Slippery elm is a natural antacid.
There are numerous web sites directed to the problem of reflux.
Let me recommend a couple:
www.texasvoicecenter.com
www1.wfubmc.edu/voice/reflux/
Because
a dry throat is often a sore throat, consume two to three quarts
of water every day. I actually drink up to a gallon or more a day.
If you live in an arid climate, sleep with a humidifier next to
your bed and try to warm up your voice in the shower. The moisture
is an incredible help for your voice. Also, learn to breathe in
through your nose as much as possible. This will help moisten the
air before it reaches your cords.
The
next concern is vocal abuse. Some of the causes are singing too
high and too loud for too long, screaming, yelling at a football
game or concert, talking at the top of your voice in a noisy crowd,
breathing cigarette smoke (first- for second-hand), doing voice
impersonations that are extreme or that cause strain and talking
or singing with a raspy, manufactured sound. Whenever my throat
is sore from vocal abuse I try to get some vocal rest, drink plenty
of liquids, and then rehabilitate my voice with gentle exercises
like humming, lip bubbles, and tongue trills. If you get laryngitis
and your tone starts to 'skip' or 'cut out' in the middle of a sustained
note, you really want to get serious vocal rest. Most of all, ALWAYS
consult your physician if things don't clear up rapidly. By this,
I mean, if you get a sore throat in the morning and it clears up
by noon and doesn't come back (this occasionally happens to me)
then there's usually nothing to worry about. Otherwise, call the
doctor, because if this condition is medical and you don't get help,
no amount of vocal rest will help. I personally prefer herbal immune
system remedies, but do what works best for you.

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*The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These
products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent
any disease. Some of these products are not for pregnant or nursing
women. You should always consult your doctor before taking anything.
**Entertainer's Secret Throat Relief is registered with the FDA
as a medical device and Thayers Slippery Elm Lozenges are FDA
approved as an over the counter medication.
***Some information on this site provided by Herbs, Etc. ;corresponding
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