Question Home

Position:Home>Performing Arts> Singers - any tips for laryngitis?


Question: Singers - any tips for laryngitis!?
I'm a soprano who sings both music theatre and classical!.

A few days ago I started feeling ill - fever (102-103), body aches, sore throat, cough, headache!. I figured I was coming down with a flu or something!. I rested, drank plenty of fluids, etc!. When the fever reached 104 I went to the doctor, who prescribed meds to help with the fever but said I had a virus and would have to wait it out by resting!.

It's been five days!. My fever is much lower now (down to 101) and I'm less achy - but I've lost my voice!. I can barely whisper, let alone sing, and even whispering hurts!. I'm in school for vocal performance - so not being able to speak is sort of a PROBLEM!. I'm doing the usual - throat coat, gargle, lemon juice and honey - but I really need some advice!. I need my voice back!

ps: We have a performance in just over a week and I'm singing from Carousel, Phantom of the Opera, and The Marriage of Figaro - so I REALLY need a voice by then!. Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Above answer has good guidelines!. Here's another idea!.

Obviously, your larynx is still a bit inflamed!. Do not try to force it!. However, you can do some mild vocal work to try to relax it, to massage it slightly!.

Stand up, feet at shoulder width, weight balanced both left-right and front-back, knees slightly flexed!. Become meditative!. Pay attention to the natural breathing of your body!. Mostly, this means wait--wait for the brain to signal that it's time to inhale, and then just let it happen, do not try to breathe diaphragmatically or extra deeply or anything!. Then wait until you get the signal to exhale, and let it go!. Relax your face so that the air whistles slightly as it passes between your slightly parted lips!.

If you start to feel sleepy, it means that you're not picking up on the signal to inhale!. Wait for it! If you start to feel light-headed, it means you're not waiting, you're forcing it and breathing too often!.

OK, once you're into a natural, connected breathing rhythm, it's time to bring the voice on board!. On exhalation, 'touch' the vocal chords lightly to make a breathy, toneless, soft sound!. "Hnh"!. Wait, inhale, wait, exhale with another "hnh"!. Repeat that several times!. Each time, you're gently massaging the surfaces of the vocal folds, helping them to get some blood flow going and to smooth out the hot spots!.

Then do two 'touches' on each exhalation: "hnh hnh"!. Do NOT allow yourself to do a 'glottal shock' where you start or end any of the sound hard; it's all breathy and formless!.

Maybe that's all you'll want to do at this point!. Maybe repeat the exercise a couple of times before bed tonight!. See how you're doing tomorrow, and maybe you can actually hum a little (humming is therapeutic, it puts less strain on the vocal mechanism than speaking or singing)!. Don't push it until it's ready for pushing!.

Be aware that having a cold like this often improves the voice, long-term!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Do what your Doctor suggested/rest, you have done everything that I would have suggested, the honey, lemon juice, your vocal chords need rest more than anything else!.
Better to do it now than not be able to do it at all!. I am sorry, I wish you a speedy recovery, but please do rest, get your pencil and paper out for communication (or the typing)!. break a leg!. (no please do not do that either)!.!.just lay thereWww@QuestionHome@Com

sip water!. very small amounts frequently!. rinse your mouth often!. Don't try to sing until your speaking voice comes back!.
The bad news is this usually takes 10 days from start to finish!.Www@QuestionHome@Com