Vocal help!

[synger]

I second the nasal irrigation. At least for me, the nasal sprays aren't enough. I don't have a special pot, but I make saline (salt and water) in a small custard cup and then "snuff" it up one nostril and spit it out, then the other. It's gross, but it really works to clear you out.

Gargling with salt water helps a lot, too. And I keep a couple throat drops in my choir folder. I've learned to sing "around" one when necessary.

 

[Tsarina]

I second the nasal irrigation. At least for me, the nasal sprays aren't enough. I don't have a special pot, but I make saline (salt and water) in a small custard cup and then "snuff" it up one nostril and spit it out, then the other. It's gross, but it really works to clear you out.

Gargling with salt water helps a lot, too. And I keep a couple throat drops in my choir folder. I've learned to sing "around" one when necessary.

Interesting, i shall try.. although it sounds kinda gross, lols.

My husband told me to do a steam facial to help open my nose. The heat would probably help my throat too.

I shall try both. Thank you.

 

[Anhelyna]

was going to suggest steam too - a really hot shower should help to start to clear those sinuses - and then shove your head over a bowl of very hot water [ boiling if you can do it safely ] to which you add a few crystals of menthol [ like 2 or 3 ] and then drape a towel over your head. Repeat this three times a day.

Just be careful with the water - scalds are not the object of the excercise

 

[Khaleas]

I was going to log on to AIM and ask my friend who is a professional singer and ask her because she usually have great ideas (I know they drink olive oil but that kinda defeats the fast)... Thing is that she's being induced today (finally) to have her little baby boy.

 

[Matrona]

was going to suggest steam too - a really hot shower should help to start to clear those sinuses

Oh, so that's why the only place I can sing Bortniansky's "Let My Prayer Arise" is the shower.

I get stopped up every Great Lent, and the added services and stresses on my voice don't help.

 

[The Prokeimenon!]

Rest is the most important thing. I'm no expert, but just avoiding talking and chanting until absolutely neccessary tends to work best as far as I can tell. That, and Ricola throat drops.

Rdr Moses

 

[Tsarina]

was going to suggest steam too - a really hot shower should help to start to clear those sinuses - and then shove your head over a bowl of very hot water [ boiling if you can do it safely ] to which you add a few crystals of menthol [ like 2 or 3 ] and then drape a towel over your head. Repeat this three times a day.

Just be careful with the water - scalds are not the object of the excercise

I have a steam facial machine. I used it once already today, it had some effect, now I'm back to sickly mode.

I was going to log on to AIM and ask my friend who is a professional singer and ask her because she usually have great ideas (I know they drink olive oil but that kinda defeats the fast)... Thing is that she's being induced today (finally) to have her little baby boy.

Thank you. I didn't know about the olive oil. I'll remember that on non-fasting days.

I was talking to my Priest over the phone today going over the rubric for this Friday service. He noticed how scruffy my voice was, and noticed my dry cough. He blessed me to take a shot of hard liquor to help me.

I didn't know alcohol could help you, but i shall try that once to see.

Rest is the most important thing. I'm no expert, but just avoiding talking and chanting until absolutely neccessary tends to work best as far as I can tell. That, and Ricola throat drops.

Rdr Moses

I've been resting a lot. My husband got me some herbal tea's which soothe my throat.
Other than that, i'm trying not to practice too much. Actually, i havn't been practicing at all. I will only go over the hymns a day before the service, and that will be it.

The Ricola throat drops are so addictive. I think i finished the whole package.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Akathist]

I swear by the menthol nose inhaler thingy by vicks. http://www.vicks.com/7.3_More_Products.php They sell the gunk you put on your upper chest and neck that helps but stinks a great deal. But I have found that they sell a menthol tube that you sniff. I think that sniffing that would be within the Eucharistic fast as you don't swallow it. It clears up lots of congestion and sometimes helps me not to cough too much.

 

[Tsarina]

I swear by the menthol nose inhaler thingy by vicks. http://www.vicks.com/7.3_More_Products.php They sell the gunk you put on your upper chest and neck that helps but stinks a great deal. But I have found that they sell a menthol tube that you sniff. I think that sniffing that would be within the Eucharistic fast as you don't swallow it. It clears up lots of congestion and sometimes helps me not to cough too much.

O i love that stuff. I have it somewhere, and i totally forgot. Thanks for reminding me!

When i get desperate, i stick it in my nose and leave it there, i get scolded for that, but i don't care.

 

[cassc]

When i get desperate, i stick it in my nose and leave it there, i get scolded for that, but i don't care

what a visual hehe
I love my facial steamer I think they are great but they do tend to dry you out which in the winter can be really tough.
One fringe benefits of the fast is that avoiding dairy reduces the amount of mucus you produce with helps you speak and sing clearer and with less effort, during other times of year you might want to keep that in mind.

 

[Tsarina]

what a visual hehe
I love my facial steamer I think they are great but they do tend to dry you out which in the winter can be really tough.
One fringe benefits of the fast is that avoiding dairy reduces the amount of mucus you produce with helps you speak and sing clearer and with less effort, during other times of year you might want to keep that in mind.

Pretty good visual, hunh? I have it stuck up my nose right now, lols!

I love my facial steamer too. It can dry you out, but using a rich moisturizer right afterwards helps a lot. You'd be surprised how much the skin can absorb after a steam facial.

I know a lot of guys who do the steam facial too. Although they never want to admit it!
It helps stimulate blood in the face and helps hair growth for men who want to grow their facial hair.

I'll keep the milk=mucus thing in mind. Thank you.

 

[Tsarina]

Okay..

In a couple of hours it's singing time at Church. I am a little nervous, (wouldn't be so nervous if i wasn't the 'only' Choir member..Ah!) my voice is better than it was during the last week (Thank to all the wonderful advice from all you guys!) i still have some of the cold which may make me sound a little weird.

Let see how it goes.

Thank you everyone!

 

[cassc]

Good Luck you'll do great!!!

 

[Tsarina]

Thank God and thank you TAW! for all your wonderful advice.

I felt better yesterday but my voice was still bad enough not to sing properly. When i got to church, i prayed in front of the icons and when Father got onto the Altar he looked back at me giving me a smile, i felt a little bit more confident.

When i opened my mouth to sing, my voice was coming out perfectly, thank God. I'm always so worried that if i can't sing properly, then it would be hard to lead people into prayers.

After i received communion, my cold left me and my throat infection is gone! For the healing of soul and body. Amen.

 

[Anhelyna]

WONDERFUL !

God is good

 

[cassc]

Yeah, that is wonderful to hear!!