Sore Throat as a Result of Singing

Subject: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 10:55 PM

I recently joined a community chorus after many (MANY) years of just singing when it suited me...mostly around the house, in the car, etc. I decided that the best fit for me was probably among the second altos. I had a great time, sang for few hours and woke up this morning with a sore throat...strained. I think that even some of the alto's parts were too high for me. I can change positions (move over boys) without it being an issue, so that's all ok. My question is this. What can I do to relieve the strained feeling (aside from not talking and singing?) I tried some tea and Tylenol for sore throats...both worked but not for long. Any suggestions?

Michelle

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: LukeKellylives (Chris)
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 11:03 PM

Those kinds of sore throats suck a lot. Mine didn't go away with anything. Drink everything you take with hot water. REALLY hot water. It soothes it a little bit more. It'll normally go away after a few days, unless you have one like the whopper I had. Lasted a week and a half. Couldn't sing at all; pure torture.

Hope you get better.

Slan.

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Ron Davies
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 11:17 PM

If you can think consciously about singing from your diaphragm, not your throat, that might help. I'm sure you've heard that before----any chorister has. Supposedly vocal exercises before the actual music help also--gradually exploring and extending your range. And then there's that question of chest voice versus head voice (for women)--somewhat analogous to full voice versus falsetto for guys. There are quite a few Mudcat experts on that--maybe some will comment.

As for recovering from the sore throat you now have, all I can think of is the old "lots of liquids and plenty of rest".

Good luck to you. Group singing can be a wonderful experience (as you no doubt know).

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Jim Lad
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 12:18 AM

Break your voice in gradually, over the day. Something low and easy during your morning shower and work your way up to the performance pieces. Ron's advice is all good. I also use antihistamines right before a performance, during busy seasons. Don't ever shout.

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:23 AM

Don't 'sing through the soreness' or you'll risk damaging your voice. Do vocal warm-ups before you sing to make the vocal cords more supple and keep well away from tobacco smoke.
It may be worth experimenting to find your true voice - as Ron says, many people force what they think is their singing voice, when the real and more sonorous voice is quite different. If the choir has a voice coach, seek out a bit of one-on-one and explain your problem.

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: ossonflags
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:45 AM

need to take plenty of water, not to sure about the really hot though, this could do damage your vocal chords as well as iced water.

.Try gargling with a mixture of sea salt and warm water.Honey and lemon in warm water are great as a drink.

keep away from anything alchoholic,the same goes for caffeinne.

Like any muscle you need to warm up.What I try as a warm up is hum, not sing "Somewere over the rainbow" It uses all the notes you will need.
Try and find a key you are comfartable with.

When really bad rest, rest and rest.

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Anne Lister
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:48 AM

Do as many relaxation exercises as you can find for any future singing. Avoid whispering (just been told this by a voice therapist!)

But for now, rest is really important, and plenty of water. Gargling with soluble aspirin could relieve the discomfort.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:05 AM

Follow all the excellent advice above, but the main thing is to remember what NOT to do: i.e. strain your voice further by using it. At all, if possible. You can only cure strain by avoiding further strain, and giving the body a chance to heal itself - so complete silence is best if you can manage it. Any use at all of the vocal cords puts wear on them (and note what Anne said about whispering, which is just as bad or worse) and GIVE IT TIME! Don't go back to the choir until your voice is fully well again. Which it will be, so keep your spirits up! We've all been there -

Best of luck, Bonnie

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 02:35 PM

Do get out of that group if changing part doesn't help. Singing shouldn't hurt, and a proper director will make sure you don't have vocal strain. If they don't, there's something very very wrong with them, not you.

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:01 PM

I don't sing nearly enough from day to day...so when I find myself in a group...often sea shanties...singing loudly, I have to be VERY careful not to overdo it. There are muscles involved which, as noted, need slow adjustment.

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:41 PM

steer away from dairy products 2 days b4 you sing and don't try to sing too loudly

sal

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: GUEST,Dylan
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 06:23 PM

Hi Michelle,

    I started to also get a sore throat when i started gigging. I found that warming up and warming down worked well for me. The exercises that i did where as follows:

      the lip trill and the tongue trill. i would do the lip trill the most working this one through my most comfortable area of my voice on a 5 tone descending scale with a descending slide at the end of it. i would do this for a couple of minutes antil i felt like my vocal folds felt soothed and relaxed, and then i would try to sustain the tongue trill an a comfortable note in my chest voice, as i found this to be great for relaxing the tongue.

    try them and let me know how you go, would be great to know.

    All the best and i hope that it works for you.

      Dylan :)

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 07 Apr 07 - 12:16 AM

Sea Chanteys are especially hard on the voice. They call for a particular type of hearty singing, can be hard to find harmonies to, so you are often stuck with singing loudly in an uncomfortable key. They can be wonderful glorious fun, but especially in a noisy environment-quite dangerous, as Bill says.

Linda

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Stringsinger
Date: 07 Apr 07 - 03:12 PM

Michelle,

I have found vocal strain to be a function of incorrect placement of vowels due to tension by trying to enuciate and tightening the facial and throat muscles. A lot of loose jaw action, not floppy but slightly open (like the first part of a yawn), avoiding tension in the lips, tongue and eyebrows (no knitted brows) as well as allowing the vowel resonance to be easilly accented by consonants is the trick.

A good vocal teacher can help you remember what it feels like to sing correctly. Once you feel the right way, it can be reinforced by practice.

If you are feeling strain or overexertion in your singing, you would do well to find a qualified teacher who will concentrate on basic vocal production (not interpretation necessarilly). You might check the singing teachers organization on-line ( I can't remember the name but it's something like National Association of Teachers of Singing or ...oh yes NATS. They have a national listing of voice teachers and as an organization they are selective as to who can join (gotta' know how to teach properly).

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Ron Davies
Date: 07 Apr 07 - 03:42 PM

Linda is right. Sea chanteys--and Sacred Harp--can really rip your voice out fast, if you don't realize what's happening. And both are hypnotic--very hard to resist. I find Sacred Harp--which is full-throttle all the way, and no chance to pull back--to be even more a problem than chanteys-- chanteys at least you are not singing all the way through unless you're leading.

Subject: RE: Sore Throat as a Result of Singing
From: Bert
Date: 07 Apr 07 - 07:22 PM

I had the same problem but at a workshop at the Getaway a few years ago I was told by , was it Lisa?, that I was singing too far back in my throat.

A cultural thing evidently, peculiar to the south of England, among other places.

She suggested that I try starting each song by singing 'mmmmmmm' which is a mouth sound. When I remember to try it, it helps a lot, but I'm lazy and forgetful so, often, my sore throat reminds me to behave.