Members pogo97 Posted April 24, 2017 Members Share Posted April 24, 2017 There's been a cold going around -- long lasting and effective. I'm in the final stages, but it's not done yet and my voice is a mess. I have three gigs in the next three days. The first two, I can get away without singing (leading the choir & playing organ at a funeral later today; playing with an informal trio tomorrow) but I'd very much prefer to sing on the third, which is the first of, hopefully, a series of weekly gigs with me solo on piano and singing jazz-age songs at dinnertime. The idea is to attract seniors (and hep-cats) to a Wednesday dinner at the restaurant. I could possibly just play piano, but that's not the model I've proposed for this gig. Or maybe my voice will be okay by then. Or maybe I'll get through a couple of songs and then be completely unable to keep singing. Don't know yet. I know we've covered this before, but: if it's two days to a vocal gig with a throat full of frogs, what would you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 24, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 24, 2017 I've had this recurring 'cold' or whatever the heck it is since November; it goes away, it comes back a few weeks later, and I have had to tough out a couple of gigs with it.Stay hydrated, that is really the best suggestion I have. I know there are the 'ThroatCoat' people and the 'honey and lemon' people, but none of that has ever really worked for me when I was at the nadir of a 'congestive' illness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bob Dey Posted April 24, 2017 Members Share Posted April 24, 2017 Singing has always been a struggle for me and lately I've acquired the crud in my throat. I have to continuously clear my throat, but sometimes the crowd is so quiet between songs I feel inhibited about making hacking sounds! 1. I keep cough drops handy and I use them. 2. play an instrumental when my voice really need a break. 3. I've been lowering the key to songs. 4. Do songs that don't require constant singing. If all else fails, I spend more time talking between songs. It's easier to talk than sing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted April 25, 2017 Members Share Posted April 25, 2017 Man, I don't know what to say. I've had the revolving door throat thing this year, and also had it last year as well. It didn't stop me though, and I worked through it. In fact, I picked up a dozen gigs (or so) because other people were cancelling. Last year I had it so bad, I should have cancelled a few gigs. On one of the gigs I played half instrumentals and I suspect it didn't go over well with management - lost the gig. This year, I just croaked through and did my usual songs. I feel though that it didn't do my voice any good and I wonder if I've done irreparable harm to my pipes. Ever since my bout of sickness last year and this, I have noticed a slight change in my voice - on the other hand that could be because I'm getting older . Don't know what else to say, just thought I would share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted April 25, 2017 Members Share Posted April 25, 2017 Stay hydrated with warm water or unsweetened tea. Sugarless menthol-eucalyptus drops (sugar is inflammatory), proper breath support, chicken soup, vitamins C & D, and so on. Sometimes the voice just won't do it. Unlike the piano, it's more than pushing the right buttons and the note comes out. Prevention is probably the most we can do, and sooner or later it will still get us. If you are playing in a place that is familiar with you it's better. But it doesn't hurt to let them know you have a cold and will do your best anyway. Important - don't hurt yourself by straining. Insights, incites and unfortunately not much to help by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 25, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 25, 2017 Ahhh, chicken soup. That's the best part of the past ten days -- chicken soup I made from what was left of the Easter chicken. Like spooning comfort and healing into my mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 25, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 25, 2017 Easter Chicken? Canada has some weird ideas... Although it certainly makes Easter Eggs seem more logical... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 25, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 25, 2017 My wife and daughter are vegetarian. We had some carnivores over so I took advantage of the situation. I love chicken and don't like turkey. My grandmother always served ham at Easter, but chicken won out this year. Nice eight pound lived happy died happy local chicken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted April 28, 2017 Members Share Posted April 28, 2017 Google "Singers Saving Grace" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted April 28, 2017 Members Share Posted April 28, 2017 Pseudoephedrine works wonders on congestion. Won't fix your tone but you might sing better. (banned substance; Olympics) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 28, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 28, 2017 well, you live on an island so your chickens can free range... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 28, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 28, 2017 Report: the trio gig went fine -- we shared vocals as usual and I managed. My voice was a bit better for the dinner-hour the next day, but I chose not to sing -- just felt like the right choice for the setting. So all "cocktail piano" if such a thing exists anymore. I played well, chewed through about 48 vintage songs, got several compliments and look forward to doing it again next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted April 28, 2017 Members Share Posted April 28, 2017 I think you mean omnivore Pogo. A carnivore eats only meat. And the only real vegetarians are vegans. If you eat eggs or cheese I ask, what plant did the cheese grow on? Sorry, it's just a little self-amusement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bob Dey Posted April 28, 2017 Members Share Posted April 28, 2017 I used to take that stuff and the bar owner liked it because it made me act goofy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 29, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 29, 2017 well, you live on an island so your chickens can free range... right… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 30, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 30, 2017 Report: the trio gig went fine -- we shared vocals as usual and I managed. My voice was a bit better for the dinner-hour the next day' date=' but I chose not to sing -- just felt like the right choice for the setting. So all "cocktail piano" if such a thing exists anymore. I played well, chewed through about 48 vintage songs, got several compliments and look forward to doing it again next week.[/quote'] sounds like a fun, easy going gig... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 30, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 30, 2017 right… Can't decide the caption for that pic... You Can do Anything... With PhotoShop IIC I catch'em, you clean'em! 3rd base? On a first catch? or... Did you actually catch that mofo? But that ain'no Amurrican chicken, eh? Your chickens look like salmon, and your bacon looks like ham! [i may be onto a song here...wait...how do you say that in French? Hmmm... ton poulet...dadada.... ton jamon...] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 30, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 30, 2017 oh, sure, it was all part of 'the act'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 30, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 30, 2017 Google "Singers Saving Grace" I did...I got this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backing_vocalist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted April 30, 2017 Members Share Posted April 30, 2017 Umm that thing is hyooj. What is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 30, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 30, 2017 That's a muskie (muskellunge). It's like a giant pike or pickerel with hyooj teef. People come here to pull them out of the water and into a boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted May 1, 2017 Members Share Posted May 1, 2017 https://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?N=0&ss=1&Ntt=singers%20saving%20grace It's some throat spray that clears mucus. I've used it, and it seems to help. But that could have been the placebo effect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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