Eating before a gig.

The taco bell throwup comment in the other thread made we think we could use a thread about eating before singing.

I'll usually have a BIG lunch then forgo eating until the midnight snack.

Usually that's because we load up and set up late.

I just can't eat for a few hours before a gig. When I was on the road I would eat at around 4:30-5:00 then play at 9:00...

What's your eating schedule like?

I was playing the I-Beam (a San Fran club in the early 90s) and hadn't eaten all day, so I made the mistake of wolfing down one of those Dachshund size burritos from one of those hole-in-the-wall Mexican places down the street. This was RIGHT before going on-stage.

Never again.

I learned my lesson the HARD way that night, because I had almost no "breathing room" with all that food in my stomach.

So now it's light meals ONLY before a gig, and at LEAST an hour or two before going on.

Other than that, I don't have any dietary restrictions. I could drink a small "cheesecake milkshake" with crackers right before going on, and it would have no effect on my voice.

starting at least 3 days prior to a show, i cut my sodium intake tremendously and I stay away from fast food. I drink 4 liters of water every day (your vocal cords are the last part of your body to get hydration) so the more you drink the better off you'll be. And I usually just eat a plain lean turkey sandwich on wheat 2 hours before having to sing.

I definately stay away from dairy products totally before singing also

I prefer not to eat before I go on, but I will sometimes... just usually about 1/4-1/2 of what I normally would eat

I used to not to eat the whole day of a gig and man everytime I had no energy whatsoever

The closer to showtime, the smaller the meal you should eat.

Avoid dairy.

Drink lots of liquids.

I pay no attention to anything like this. I have an erratic schedule so often times I'll eat right before gig (because maybe I haven't eaten in hours, and being weak and hungry definitely is a bad thing for me while performing.)

I don't know why but I can't tell any possitive or negative effects from eating too soon before performing or from eating certain foods (such as dairy).

I have also heard people talk about avoiding cold or hot liquids while singing. I often drink coffe or ice water while singing and I really can't tell that it affects the way my voice sounds.

Other people must have a different experience, though.

I prefer not to eat within an hour of singing. The pre-gig meal is usually something like grilled chicken or seared tuna over greens. Nothing big or starchy.

If it is a choice of scarfing down a burger right before going on-stage or eating after, I'll choose after every time.

No offense but these are fairly absolute. Dairy will coat your throat and hot and cold liquid coming in contact with your vocal cords will cause an immediate physical reaction. Just because you can't tell these are not affecting you does not mean they are not...

It may not affect (immediately) the way your voice sounds but it will certainly affect how hard you may have to work and how you feel afterwards.

Perhaps you are not as in touch with your instrument as you should be?

Absolutely no offense taken but I just haven't perceived it that way. Never felt like I was pushing harder after eating a certain thing. I do confess to feeling like I am sometimes in particular good voice, never thought to examine the foods or liquids that coincided with such times. Maybe I will.

I have sung 3,800+ 3 to 4 hour solo gigs in the past 22 years. I have often sung two gigs in one day for a total of 7 or 8 hours singing without ever feeling like I had strained my voice. A few times I have played a band gig where the monitors weren't particularly good and the next day felt like I had pushed it slightly, I guess.

OK then. LOL. Mileage varies I guess...

I don't sing at all (save for shouted background vox) I'm just a guitar player. That being said, I cannot eat at all a few hours before a show. I hate that weighed down feeling and actually WANT to be hungry on stage.

I've seen singers scarfing down double cheeseburgers and the like about 30 minutes prior to a show and they pay for it!

My routine is do a little woodshedding prior to a gig to get my hands loose. Old creeky paws on a keyboard player need to have a loosen up session. eat a early dinner with lots of protein. Lean steak and salad. If I can lay down and relax a little before hitting the rain room after loading out into my truck. One diet coke for the boost just prior to going on... then water the rest of the night.

I'm really involved in bodybuilding and working out/getting stronger so my diet is basically what most people here will NEVER attempt.

On a daily basis I eat around 4 eggs, 6 slices of cheese, 8 slices of bread, lettuce, tomatos, bananas, apples, kiwis, a gallon of milk, tuna, cottage cheese, potatoes, beef, chicken etc.

During singing I always drink room temperature water and I try not to consume dairy right before singing, but sometimes it does happens, I do feel it affects a little bit, but not so much that I can't live with it, it always sounds fine to me.

I prefer to sing on an empty stomach. When you eat you're filling up your stomach, which places pressure on your diaphragm, making it more difficult to project, and very difficult to work your vibrato. I do take in regular sips of room temperature water whenever I can, though. It's important to keep your throat well lubricated (let's be adults, mmkay?) while you're singing.

Oh, a shot or two of whiskey before doesn't hurt, either.

I never eat for a few hours before a gig or on a gig. I need the room for air so I can sing and play sax, flute and wind synth to the best of my ability.

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