"The Beacon" a local and surrounding cities newspaper for seniors, does an annual "Beacon Fest Expo." Lots of venders and seniors it seems.

It's a large convention center but she only wants the music available for the immediate 50 or so chairs that will be in front of the platform. In other words not knocking the walls down. She sad last year some of the vendors complained about the music being too loud for them to conduct business.

I was recommended to her and she wanted me to do a half hour at 11:00AM tear down and then do another half hour at noon. She had a different an entertainer lined up every hour. I told her I had more than a guitar to put away and politely cancelled.

She called back and asked if I could play from 7:00AM to 8:30 AM and stay and use my sound and operate it for the other entertainers until 2:00PM. I gave in and said yes. I played on Bourbon Street in the 60's from 6:00AM to 8:00AM but all I did was play sax.

I tried singing this morning and it's not as easy as 2:30PM. Any suggestions will be helpful. What about honey and lemon? What about cough medicine etc?

Come on all you old pros. You must know something.Tell us your secrets please.
Thanks again for any help,
Boo

Boo, stay up all night drinking. You'll do great.
Seriously, it is a little tougher to get "up" for morning jobs. I find after the first song or two everything is o.k. though.
If only you had a Bose L1, the volume would be great for all, and not too loud for any.
DonM

Don's post beat me to it ... actually, I was going to suggest getting up at about 4:00AM ... ...
I've told this story before, but a few years back I was asked to join a band that played classic rock ... rehearsals were on Sunday mornings at 9:00AM ... the first rehearsal I went to the lead singer sang "House of the Rising Sun" .. I told him that the last time I heard that song at that hour in the morning, we didn't know it was that hour in the morning ...

t.

LOts of Hot Tea w/Honey..

THINGS SINGERS SHOULD AVOID

Having problems at Gigs? Do you find that some days your voice seems dry? I'm not going to go into the normal nag about smoking although you should try to avoid anything that is likely to dry out your voice before a performance, so here are a few tips on what to avoid before & during your show:-

1. Orange or Citrus Juice and caffeinated drinks - can affect your throats lubrication.

2. Milk & other dairy products - furs up the throat, avoid drinking Milk, Cream, Tea and Coffee prior to singing.

3. Dry Ice Machines - The chemicals used dry up the throat. If the effect is an essential part of the show use a Fog Machine with cooler (water & glycerine based) or Haze Machine (chemical based but non-toxic). Both can still affect the voice if inhaled, make sure you have plenty of water to lubricate the throat.

4. Eating heavy meals prior to a gig - the food doesn't have time to digest and sits heavily in your stomach. This makes it harder to control breathing, vocal reach and projection.

5. Smoke filled environments - pretty impossible to do if your playing pubs n clubs but do what you can by taking a wander outside for fresh air during the breaks.

6. Asprin - can contribute to tinnitus and vocal chord hemorrhage

7. Excessive loud talking and yelling - can lead to vocal strain

8. Coughing and clearing your throat - swallow or sip water instead.

9. Alcohol - although a small drink may help to relax you, alcohol may numb the chords and too much will cause lack of control (vocally & otherwise!!)

10. Sing out of your range - save the top notes for when you can sing them correctly and don't over-reach or you could end up damaging your voice!

Pace yourself at a gig - move vocally demanding songs to the middle or end of each set to allow your voice to warm up beforehand (a vocal warm up before the gig is also advisable) and then rest your voice during the breaks.

Treat allergies and infections promptly and rest your voice when ill. Drink plenty of water during the day to keep your body hydrated and voice lubricated, 8 - 9 pints is recommended. (Beer doesn't count!). Keep a bottle of water at the side of the stage!

I wouldn't recommend hot drinks

I find that singing long, low notes quietly while you are taking a shower (lots of moisture in the air) and gradually moving to middle range notes (but don't work the upper range) gets the vocal chords lubricated and loosened up while you are getting ready for your morning gig. And drink at least a pint of water after the shower.

And all of Taike's tips are spot on..... Plenty of sleep, plenty of water, you should have no problems.

You know, I do all the wrong things, never warm up, drink plenty of hot coffee, eat too much too close to work, etc. Do you suppose that's why I sound so bad!! It's hard to incorporate an accidental burp into a love song. Rock 'n roll is different.
DonM

DITTO! For me, it really doesn't make any difference when I have to sing. After that first song everything goes just fine. A good, hot shower before leaving for the job is all that is necessary to moisten the trachea and vocal folds. Then just take a bottle of water with you to keep hydrated and you shouldn't have any problem at all.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 03-29-2007).]

When I had my first singing lesson the teacher recommended that I put a small amount of glycerine on the back of the tongue and let trickle down the throat.
It appeared to work to loosen the vocal cords.
I also have a boiled lolly with me to suck prior to singing.They I understand contain glycerine as do some cough medicines.

I hope this helps.

Cousin Ken

Man, Boo, I'd be tempted to turn over and go back to sleep, but I guess that's
not an option.


7:00?....A.M?....DAMN!


Russ