HPF=Hoarse Pass Filter, especially for ill singers.
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Playing while sick
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
PaulCISSA
Unsweetened, highly-caffeinated
I've gotten REALLY sick before from a guy in an opening band--we ended up with the same mic for BU vox. I'll never forget after about 5 tunes into my set, him saying to me from the wings--"dude, I'm really sick, stay off the mic". As if it was funny.
I got a flu that nearly put me in the hospital from that fool. I was down for 3 weeks. I lost a bunch of income. You say you have a fever? Just sayin'. It's not about how YOU can get through it. It's about not spreading it around.
And THAT is why there’s a tub of baby ass-wipes in my gig bag. Kills the germs on contact and smells fresh like, well....you get it.
Low profile, trudge through, drink lots of liquids during the gig, go home and crash hard.
Hydrate all day long.
Drop a pain reliever/fever reducer (I prefer Aleve/naproxen sodium) 45 minutes prior to the gig so it will be fully kicked by start time.
If it’s just a cold, then a little sweat in your brow will probably feel pretty good.
Drop a pain reliever/fever reducer (I prefer Aleve/naproxen sodium) 45 minutes prior to the gig so it will be fully kicked by start time.
If it’s just a cold, then a little sweat in your brow will probably feel pretty good.
I don't believe in pills... boil water, put lots of cut ginger in it and let it rest for 20 minutes. Then add honey and lemon juice.
Your body needs rest and hydration so sleep and drink as much as possible.
Good luck with the gig !
Your body needs rest and hydration so sleep and drink as much as possible.
Good luck with the gig !
Tough it out and do the gig. Act like nothings wrong, don’t sit on a stool or other “poor me” props of that nature. Take the cold meds in enough time for them to work, smile and do your job.
That’s how a pro would handle it. If you don’t have to sing much then it will be easy.
I’ve played four days after a vasectomy, five days after a major operation on my arm (GF had to help me get the bass on and off after the sets and help me with the arm sling) and I’ve played with strep throat, pneumonia, and a 102 fever a few times. diarrhea and actively throwing up are the only two things that will keep me off the stage.
It’s mostly mind over matter, and you can push through a lot more with a strong mental outlook. If you do a great job when sick, that will be a big asset to local playing. They know they can count on you.
You will have a great gig if you go in with that mental outlook.
That’s how a pro would handle it. If you don’t have to sing much then it will be easy.
I’ve played four days after a vasectomy, five days after a major operation on my arm (GF had to help me get the bass on and off after the sets and help me with the arm sling) and I’ve played with strep throat, pneumonia, and a 102 fever a few times. diarrhea and actively throwing up are the only two things that will keep me off the stage.
It’s mostly mind over matter, and you can push through a lot more with a strong mental outlook. If you do a great job when sick, that will be a big asset to local playing. They know they can count on you.
You will have a great gig if you go in with that mental outlook.
What's the best cold/flu-like symptom remedy for metal?
(Srsly, all good ideas here. Pound that H20 and rest all you can beforehand. You got this.)
(Srsly, all good ideas here. Pound that H20 and rest all you can beforehand. You got this.)
The show must go on unless you are physically unable to get out of bed. My advice is relax, sit during the show if need be (it's a sub gig) and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
If you already have a fever and anticipate needing to use a stool to sit on to make it through this gig, I would be highly suspicious of the flu (influenza).
You should get yourself to a First Med / Urgentcare center and get a rapid flu test. Because if you are coming down with the flu, you can have Tamiflu prescribed which will shorten the duration of the virus and lessen the symptoms. Furthermore, if you do have the flu, you should be home in bed and not out on a gig as you are HIGHLY contagious and can spread the virus to anyone in that venue. Flu can be devastating to the elderly and others who have compromised immune systems.
Be smart, and be considerate.
If it is just a bad cold -- hydrate as everyone has said, and Tylenol/Ibuorofen for fever/aches. Gatorade or Pediasure (no sugar) is also very important to use to replenish electrolytes for your body.
Playing sick is no fun -- but I have done it plenty of times (not with flu) -- and have found my body somehow kicks into a higher gear and I am not only able to play well, but actually feel better when Im playing the gig.
Take care of yourself, Op. Feel better, be smart, and rock on!
You should get yourself to a First Med / Urgentcare center and get a rapid flu test. Because if you are coming down with the flu, you can have Tamiflu prescribed which will shorten the duration of the virus and lessen the symptoms. Furthermore, if you do have the flu, you should be home in bed and not out on a gig as you are HIGHLY contagious and can spread the virus to anyone in that venue. Flu can be devastating to the elderly and others who have compromised immune systems.
Be smart, and be considerate.
If it is just a bad cold -- hydrate as everyone has said, and Tylenol/Ibuorofen for fever/aches. Gatorade or Pediasure (no sugar) is also very important to use to replenish electrolytes for your body.
Playing sick is no fun -- but I have done it plenty of times (not with flu) -- and have found my body somehow kicks into a higher gear and I am not only able to play well, but actually feel better when Im playing the gig.
Take care of yourself, Op. Feel better, be smart, and rock on!
Stupid move IMO. And I should know having done it a few times myself.
That said Thera-Flu and some aspirin plus plenty of fluids will get you through it. Assuming it’s just a regular cold and not something more serious. If it’s a genuine flu you’ve got (and it’s anything like the one we’re getting around where I live) I’ll only give you a 50-50 chance you’re going to last out the gig.
Enjoy knowing you'll probably be getting some of the people around you sick too. And hopefully you won’t pick up an additional infection from someone else since your immune system is compromised by what you’ve already got.
Good luck.
That said Thera-Flu and some aspirin plus plenty of fluids will get you through it. Assuming it’s just a regular cold and not something more serious. If it’s a genuine flu you’ve got (and it’s anything like the one we’re getting around where I live) I’ll only give you a 50-50 chance you’re going to last out the gig.
Enjoy knowing you'll probably be getting some of the people around you sick too. And hopefully you won’t pick up an additional infection from someone else since your immune system is compromised by what you’ve already got.
Good luck.
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Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
Honestly, I hate gigging while sick. The worst. My advice is take the strongest cold/flu meds you can find and get a stool/chair and just try to get through it.
I'd played an outdoor gig on a trailer stage, pretty sever stomach flu. I'd set a can up behind the curtain on my side of the stage where the crowd couldn't see it.
Mid song I felt my lunch deciding to escape, walked to the side of the stage behind the curtain and let loose without missing a beat. The only one that knew was the drummer and no one else believed him.
Play the gig and you'll be known as a trusted person that's worth calling.
Mid song I felt my lunch deciding to escape, walked to the side of the stage behind the curtain and let loose without missing a beat. The only one that knew was the drummer and no one else believed him.
Play the gig and you'll be known as a trusted person that's worth calling.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Definitely get a stool. Let the band know, including you won't be touching anything (such as helping move gear) in an effort not to get anyone else sick. Bring hand sanitizer, get in and out as soon as possible.
A lot of medicine, whatever your brand is. I played a couple gigs with an AWFUL sinus infection (like, blowing straight rubber cement out of my nose every few minutes) Cold meds and beer helped.
Take some cold medicine (the good stuff from behind the counter) and then suck it up buttercup, you dont have to sing. Ive worked 12 hr bartending shifts in such condition.
