Playing a gig with a cold, singing lead.

[Wissen]

It's never the most popular advice, but I will always suggest whiskey. Stay within your limits and drink just enough to relax your throat. You'll have to deal with any damage done to your vocal chords tomorrow, but you'll get through the set tonight. Unless you're singing scream metal, it'll be no worse than other times you've lost your voice.

 

[jdh3000]

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.

Been there... it’s rough...
sounds weird but if your stomach can handle it, get a jar of jalapeños a slowly chew it, letting the juice go down slowly... helps heal a sore throat. A good mixture is jalapeños and honey, the capsaicin in the pepper plus the bacteria killing agent in honey really help... it’s been my go to for years.

 

[lbbc]

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

I would add...use Vocal Spray like Vocal ease

 

[sawzalot]

Practice singing lower and/or alternative melodies. Basically have a backup plan for any line that might be difficult with a cold.

 

[Gustopher]

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.

This absolutely helps and has been something I've done since I was young. I always hate doing it, but the results are undeniable.

 

[RustyAxe]

Practice singing lower and/or alternative melodies. Basically have a backup plan for any line that might be difficult with a cold.

Good suggestion. I just KNOW I'll blow that one high note, so I'll shoot for a note in the chord just below it. Audience hardly notices.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

The best thing I’ve found for my throat (whether I have a cold or not) is tea with honey, lemon, and ginger. Since I hate the taste, I make a more concentrated version and spray it directly into the back of my throat.

For clearing/cleaning out your nasal passages quickly and without any drugs, you can use a nasal or bulb syringe to run a salt and baking soda solution in one nostril and out the other. It’s just as unpleasant as it sounds, but it works immediately and you can safely do it as often as you want - every set break if necessary.

Arm & Hammer has a premixed version in a spray can that doesn’t require a syringe. You can also buy the salt and baking soda in pre-measured packets. To make it yourself, mix 3 parts pickling salt with 1 part baking soda, then combine 1 teaspoon of that mixture with 8 ounces of distilled water.

 

[Jimmy4string]

I use "Singers saving grace" at every show and before rehearsal.
Puts a good coat on the throat and clears up for a wider range. Tastes pretty awful too!
Alcohol is a mixed bag -shot of good old Jamo (Jamisons fine whiskey) is great. However, you can forget lyrics and notes. This is especially hard if you are singing and playing bass.
I dont ever do drinks until last few songs of the last set YMMV
Rock on!

 

[cars10]

May be obvious but dont place that songs all in a row. Let the other singer do his songs songs inbetween.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

Well thanks for the help everyone! The gig went very well. I took some DayQuill and Cepacol. I also didn't drink any alcohol before the performance but I had one Guiness after I was done. I drank a ton of water which helped but my voice was still drying out a bit. I had a big water bottle that was done after our 45 minute set.
Luckily we compile our set list so that we alternate songs. There's only one part at the end where I sing two songs in a row.
I will say this, when I was onstage I pretty much forgot that I was sick. The adrenaline seems to take over. After I was done my voice was completely shot. I guess it's all about giving it your all.
I also thought, What would Geddy Lee do? Nah, that guy is pretty much inhuman and could play through anything.

 

[primusfan1989]

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.

Not proud to admit I've done stuff like this before...and no it doesn't work hahaha

 

[Slater]

For whatever peculiar reason, I could always sing better with a cold. Not that I’m any kind of great singer to begin with. It seemed like my vocal chords loosened up, and I could hear my voice better in my stuffed up head.

 

[DirtDog]

Kill it with whiskey.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

Been there... it’s rough...
sounds weird but if your stomach can handle it, get a jar of jalapeños a slowly chew it, letting the juice go down slowly... helps heal a sore throat. A good mixture is jalapeños and honey, the capsaicin in the pepper plus the bacteria killing agent in honey really help... it’s been my go to for years.

Great gig! I did think it was odd that so many of your songs included lines about your throat being on fire . . .