Playing a gig with a cold, singing lead.

[Spirit of Ox]

Ok, my worse nightmare has come true. I am the Co-lead singer for my band. I sing 5 songs. I'm fighting this cold. It's not too bad but does anyone have any advice on what to do.
I have played a gig with a cold many years back but I was just playing bass, no singing.
Now I'm doing both.
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[growlypants]

All you can do is, all you can do! Drink some hot tea before the set, apologize to the crowd if you want to...and, good luck!

 

[mrcbass]

It's tough, but as long as you're past the first part you can survive. I load up on Dayquil (decent dose before gig and a slug or two between sets) <I'm not a doctor, so use common sense> and stick a cough drop in my cheek to help keep the throat clear. Luckily no leads for me.

I'd probably try to have a backup plan for the gig in case you're not recovered enough to sing comfortably. I'd guess you could harm your voice if you try to force it while your throat and lungs are under distress.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I've been fighting a cold for over a month, been singing the whole time.

1. Throat Coat Tea.
2. One hit of your favorite nasal decongestant spray, Afrin and Musenex are my favorites.
3. Keep water on stage for sipping to keep your vocal cords wet.
4. Your favorite menthol throat lozenges.
5. Try to open your throat as you sing, push more air. Try not to pinch or strain for the high notes.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[NZBassman]

they say brandy does the trick - drink 1 full glass before going on stage, have 1 glass on stage to sip on during the night and if that fails - drink the rest of the bottle after the gig!

this happened about 3-4 years ago with my old band - female singers throat was so bad / croaky she could barely speak..... Drummer sang half the songs anyway, so we were at his house between set up and gig going through songs that I or guitarist could sing.... all this time the singer was sipping on some vodka and her speaking voice did improve.....
Singer said she'd see how it goes..... but managed to sing the whole night (with the exception of AC/DC) remarkably well - however, by the time we had finished she was completely drunk from the vodka!
Luckily she wasn't driving home

 

[Sore Thumb]

Our lead singer swears by vocal zones cough candy type things. My solution is to keep a cup of tea/coffee when I have to sing at church with a cold. My go to home remedy for a cold is to have a hot margarita ( extra strength neo Citron, extra lemon juice and a shot of tequila) before bed.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

All there is is hope, and trying any/all of the home remedies that work for others.

I've had good luck with warm drinks, tea or decaff coffee and Cepecol lozenges. But even than the best outcome is 1/2 of what I'd normally have for ability.

 

[RustyAxe]

Hi,

I've been fighting a cold for over a month, been singing the whole time.

1. Throat Coat Tea.
2. One hit of your favorite nasal decongestant spray, Afrin and Musenex are my favorites.
3. Keep water on stage for sipping to keep your vocal cords wet.
4. Your favorite menthol throat lozenges.
5. Try to open your throat as you sing, push more air. Try not to pinch or strain for the high notes.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Write this down!

 

[pcake]

afrin works so well if your sinuses are stuffed. if they're only sort of stuffed, alternating cold and warm compresses over your sinuses can help 'em open up. slippery elm helps keep your throat from drying out and so does lots of water. throat coat tea before the show, maybe sip it during, and there are lozenges with slippery elm, as well.

if possible, sing a little more quietly and turn up the P.A. on your channel.

 

[Ronzo]

Just don’t try the Dead Gator as a cure.

Dead Gator = 1/3 Green Gatorade, 1/3 vodka, 1/3 NyQuil. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

 

[Tony In Philly]

This will work - take some olive oil with you to the gig. Take spoonfuls throughout the gig and your voice will be completely lubricated. It's an old Italian opera singer trick!

 

[marqueemoon]

I'm a big fan of Breathe Right strips. Not necessarily for wearing at the show, but being able to breathe better when sleeping will be hugely helpful with recovery. If I have a serious cold I've got no qualms about wearing one at work, etc...

 

[EmuBass]

You could simple change your setlist to Leonard Cohen or Paolo Conte ...

 

[andruca]

Only thing I can contribute is, if you have a sore throat, DON'T TAKE THOSE STREPSILS STYLE LOZENGES/DRAGEES, they render your vocal chords uncontrollable. I'd much rather have my highest register reduced than ever experience again that kind of tuning control loss. Just my experience (I've sung backing vocals since forever and occasionally been fronting a band for the last decade).

 

[Ekulati]

Five songs? That's not a lot really. You could make a joke and tell the audience you're gonna experiment by singing them all an octave lower. Maybe, "my Johnny Cash impression."

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Write this down!

I did!

Throat Coat Tea

 

[Kevorargh]

If you have had vocal training, then you should be able to get by - at least my folk singer BL was able to do so when he had colds. A little Irish whiskey in his coffee didn't hurt either. Other than that, hot drinks - tea, I like Emergen-C.

Good Luck!

 

[redwood]

Another vote for slippery elm. I have bronchitis (first time ever) and sing about ten songs, and harmonies to all the rest. The lead singer gave me a few of his lozenges this past weekend. Worked REALLY well.

 

[Ostie]

I would not recommend singing with a lozenge in your mouth. You could choke on it. Before the gig, yes, during breaks yes. While singing, no.

 

[LoTone]

From now until you get to the stage, gargle water with salt in it. I use one teaspoon of salt for 8 ounce of water. Gargle that concoction. The salt will neutralize the bacteria. Then, you will have to use all the various suggestions that have been made by other TBers to soothe your throat.