Hydration Issues

[musicman_17082]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:38am

I am in the middle of a very challenging regional production. I simply CANNOT afford to be sick so I have been chugging water like KRAZY for a week or so now. I mean we're talking like 10 full water bottles a day... enough to be peeing water! (haha)

Anyway... so I have been told by SO many that being hydrated makes you sing better. However all I've noticed since my massive water drinking has begun is that I honestly feel MORE dried out than before. I never feel like my throat is "moist" enough to be singing. I don't get this AT ALL. I feel like I'm only hydrated during and directly after a take a drink of water but then just plain dried up!

Anyone have any slight idea as to why this is? Why isn't water helping me like its supposed to?

[DEFYxGRAViTY721]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 9:56am

The scientific facts say that drinking caffeine dehydrates the body and thus, the vocal folds. From personal experience, I can tell you that this is somewhat true. If you have a high tolerance for coffee (meaning, one cup just won't do it anymore) you are more accustumed the effect it has on the body, and if you only drink one cup, the effects are considerably less. Neverthelesss, I would NOT reccomend drinking coffee while involved in any type of theatre. If you feel you absolutely must, one cup a day. That's it. Then be sure to drink water excessivly before your performance for that day to rehydrate your vocal folds. In my opinion tea or Red Bull is a better caffiene fix during performance time.

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:36pm

Honestly, I think your sense of "dryness" might just be because you're being so hypersensitive to your hydration and putting so much effort into staying healthy. It could just be a psychosomatic effect.

[ModernMillie2]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:22pm

Sometimes I find that gargling water helps more with clearing my throat than just drinking water.. I know what you mean about drying out the throat cause i once drank so much water before an audition and dryed up once I got up to sing! that was not good...

[BruceWayne5148]

Posted: 6/16/07 at 2:08pm

i know exactly what you are talking about. this always happens to me around show time and stuff when i am trying to stay especially hydrated. i always get really dry no matter how much water i drink and not even drinking more water can help. i usually go for vitamin water at that point or some sort of fruity candy or gum....it kind of works. it's a pain.

[birdboy164]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:12pm

To combat the dryness, try hydrating your vocal chords with steam. Either in the shower or using a cup/thermos of hot water, simply breath in the steam through your nose. This provides moisture to vocals and "mask" area without filling the body with excess liquids.

[tigerseye13]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 12:50am

I had that exact same problem so I went to a TMJ doctor and it turns out a LOT of singers have chronic dry mouth from using it so much. They actually make like toothpaste and mouthwash and stuff specifically for it too. What i found that I like is this stuff called Biotene: Dry Mouth Therapy by Laclede. They make this gel that you can swish in you mouth before you sing and it helps make extra saliva to keep you moist. I'd look into it if you're having serious problems.

[brdwybound2]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 8:25pm

While I have no idea what to tell you about the dry-mouth issue, I would like to warn you about drinking TOO much water. I know that sounds sort of weird since you hear a lot about drinking MORE water since most people don't drink nearly enough. However, I was in a show once, and my friend and I decided to drink atleast 10 bottles of water a day to stay really healthy and hydrated throughout the show. Opening night of the show, I notice my friend missing during once of the dance routines. It turned out that my friend had downed so much water throughout the week, that she passed out backstage due to loss of electrolytes. So BE CAREFUL... obviously drinking tons of water is very important, especially during a show, but don't overdo it!!

[dramadude2]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 7:56pm

I had a problem with my throat being horribly dry during my Las Vegas Academy audition. Nedless to say the singing did not go as well as I had hoped but I was still accepted so... yeah

[bingbong]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 8:41pm

honey is the way forward - after a cup of tea works best for me.
(i don't like it in it so i have a teaspoon after)

xx