I am new into the lead singing world so I need some tips if there are any.

My nose gets stuffed and dry after singing for a while. Is there anything to keep it open for better breathing and more open voice? Or does that mean I should stop singing ? lol

Any other tips? Thanks.

Once it gets stopped up, just do Willie Nelson songs the rest of the night!
Seriously, this happens to me when the place I'm working has a lot of smoke. Makes me want to move to California where they don't allow it. Sorry I don't have a "real" answer.
Don

The name is "nasal Decongestant" spray into the nose and inhale as deep as you can from your nose. I hope that helps.

Dr. "G" signing out. .

Those nasal sprays more often than not, aggravate my throat. If it's a choice between breathing or singing ..... you make the call. Sudafed works pretty good with minimal down sides.
Stay away from the "Cloraceptic" type sprays that numb your throat too - it's like shooting an ingured knee with cortozone and then playing aggressive sports. No pain .... NO warning of ingury ! (very bad)
The best thing any of us can do for the pipes is keep your throat lubricated with NON alcohohlic, and NON caffinated beverages.
(Try WATER - it's pretty good)
That seems to be a tough concept for many musicians, but I know lots of people that NEVER drink at work. Imagine that? Showing up at work and NOT pouring a drink right away. Hmmmmmm? How do they get along?
Stay away from booze, smoke, loud talking and don't push your limits if you don't feel well.

[This message has been edited by Uncle Dave (edited 05-14-2002).]

Right on Dave. I never drink when I work. Since I work just about every night, I seldom drink at all. I have used Cranberry Juice or Orange Juice over the years, but lately, just water. It is low in calories too.
I instruct the bartender, if somebody insists on buying me a drink, to not put liquor in it. It's hard enough to do what we do when we're sober. I have good friends who are musicians who feel like the liquor loosens them up and makes them better. In most cases it just makes them THINK they are better.
DonM

One of the singers I work with has a similar problem, and she uses a product available at Walgreens. Its called Wal-tussin, $2.99 for 12 softgels. It is non-drowsy. It seems to help her for about 3-4 hours.
Eddie

Thank you all this is good stuff...so far I have only been using those little Listerine things you put in ur mouth for fresh breath, they actually open up those pipes very good but only for about 10 minutes.

UD as far as not drinking at work, I really have to work very hard to not do so. I perform only on weekends and those are actually my "nights out" so I dont want to not have fun lol. I do not over do it though.

DonM, actually certain drinks do loosen your throught up from what I hear from singers, but the ones they mentioned are koniac and Whisky. If I do that, I would only go for one drink the whole night, other wise like you said I wold only think I sound better.

Thanks guys, keep the hints coming, I am really benefitting from this.

I have lung problems! The only thing my Doctor will let me use is a product called
"Ocean!" Most all of the other over the counter products are habit forming, will only work for a short time, then your body becomes used to them & they won't work anymore! Also they do more harm than good to your body! Believe Me!!
Dr. Nobby


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where do you get this product "ocean" Nobby? Do I have to have subscription?

How long does your voice need to recover from a flu (that normally affects throat also)? I caught a flu this weekend and will have to sing next weekend. Will I make it 'till then? Any "secrets" to achieve a normal voice?

-- José.

Funny you mention that Matias. Actually I had this problem last week and I had to sing on the weekend, I am still somewhat with some problem in my throught (maybe strip throught). I started on the antibiotics two days before my gig, that barely got me going, but what I did is transposed my keyboard to -2 so that I dont have to push myself, and believe me I still felt like it was +2 instead! Hopefully I will be much better for this coming weekend. I personally am thinking to take my tonsels (sp?) out cause they swell and give me feaver at least 3-4 times a year, its not worth it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mosiqaar:
[B]where do you get this product "ocean" Nobby? Do I have to have subscription?

Moaiqaar,
You get it over the counter. It's not as fast as some of the other nose spray.
But it works & it's safe!
Nobby



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Mosiqaar....
Lots of good points made here.
From my own experience..(6 years in particular with an acapella quartet), so your voice did everything...here's what we found.
Prior to a paying gig.
1. No milk
2. No alcohol
3. basically, no dairy products, cheese..etc.
4. Cake...NO
We'd down about a litre (quart)each of room temperature water, with a drop or three of pure lemon extract, during the performance.
Don't drink iced or very cold beverages, things tighten up.
There's a losenge called "Fisherman's Friend", I don't know where you are so I can't comment on it's availability, but it really eliminates saliva.

As for the actual singing end of it, you gotta prepare. That means breathing exercises, and warnming up your pipes prior to a gig. If you're sincere about your singing, check out a reputable vocal coach, who I'm sure will recommend vocal and breathing exercises.
One I use a lot...pronouncing vowels is this progression which raises a semi-tone each time around.
A..B..C#..B..D..C#..B..A
next..raise it to begin with a Bb....
then begin with a B...
and so on....'til you've done the complete octave.
There are a lot of other exercises, too detailed to get into here.
Here's another quickee...
pronounce the constanant "M"...basically start humming...as you feel your palette begin to vibrate...open you mouth..and your pipes, and extend it into..MMMMMMMAAAAAAAWWWW
Use the semi-tone raise with this one too.
Works for me.
Just my thots.....Good Luck.


[This message has been edited by Leon (edited 05-14-2002).]

"Fishermans Friends" (no smutty comments please) are a rather strong/hot throat lozenge produced just down the road from me by "Lofthouses" of "Fleetwood, Lancashire, England". I heard rumours a couple of years ago that they were exporting to the USA abnd Japan!

On the singing front, some years ago I went to night school voice training lessons. Best thing ever. It's amazing how improvements in technique also improve your ability to cope with lifes little difficulties. The warming up / stretching / relaxing exercises involved also help a lot.

Also,

"Stay away from the "Cloraceptic" type sprays that numb your throat"

ABSOLUTELY

Pain is natures way of telling you to back off!

thank you leon and MAC, I will work on the above for sure. I appreciate everyone's feedback, it really does help.
thanks.

... just before going 'onstage' I have the bartender pour me a drink .... large water with lemon, no ice .... I'll go through a couple a night ... I also always have "Hall's Menthol - Eucalyptus Cough Drops" on hand .... I'll even break them with my teeth (my son the dentist doesn't appreciate this) while they are still wrapped, so I can just use a small piece as needed ... if things are really bad, hot tea with lemon helps ...
t.

When I have a cold with a stuffed nose I use "Afrin". This stuff is like putting an Atomic Bomb up you nose. It blasts everything away to make a clear passage almost instantly. Great Stuff! http://www.drugstore.com/qxb8470_333181_SESpider/Afrin/Afrin.htm

Bob