Food and Singing

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Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:15pm

Ok, so I've always heard not to drink or eat dairy products before you have to perform, because it clogs your vocal chords and whatnot. So for the past few years I've made it a rule to not usually eat before performances. But I've been singing after eating lately, and it almost feels better, like the chords have more lubrication or something. Is anyone a vocal chords expert, and speak on the truth behind not eating before singing?

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:21pm

As long as it is not dairy or potatos (personal experience) I might have something before a show.

David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:24pm

Hmm. I'm not a singer, but I wouldn't eat right before a performance just because nervousness affects my digestive system. :) If that isn't the case for you, I don't see anything wrong with eating before singing.

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:29pm

from personal expirence, I would say don't eat peanut butter before a show and also, don't drink any really cold water because it shocks your vocal chords.

Ways to annoy people: Arrive at a meeting late, say you're sorry, but you didn't have time for lunch, and you're going to be nibbling during the meeting. Then eat raw potatoes. Ask people what gender they are,or Disagree strongly with everything anybody says:)

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:32pm

NEVER have cold water...or hot water. Just room temp. water.

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:33pm

yeah.. no COLD water.. I prefer a drink of cool water and some hot tea to open my throat and chords. I eat a light meal about an hour and ahalf to two hours before the show. I save the full, heavier meal for after.

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:35pm

If you do eat something right before a show be sure to douse it down with one or two shots of warm honey.

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 6:55pm

I've been singing my entire life. I don't have any rules with not eating before singing or anything. None of that seems to really have an affect on my voice. If anything, it probably helps me, by making my throat less dry. Water definitely helps, hot or cold.

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 8:34pm

Ive been singing since dirt was invented and here are some of my rules, but i am pretty strict with it but you can work with them.

-no dairy, chocolate, beer ^^,or starches the day of a performace
-room temp. water or warm tea.
-halls and anything to unclog anythign that might be clogged
- i eat a small meal, like a salad about 1-2 hours before a performance and eat afterward, and have tea with that meal.

Use some of these to work around what you need. Break A Leg!

#10

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 8:54pm

i find that dairy, starch, and nuts clog my vocal cords. Also, i found that taking a small sip of oil helps you sing well. (Rasie your cholesterol too)

Megan Mullally as Karen Walker on Will and Grace: "Tell me more. Tell me more. Like does he have a car?"

#11

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 9:14pm

i make full use of food stuffs to manipulate my voice a bit (i.e. when i did annie my first number was hooverville and the director wanted us to sound like hell so soda and a whatchamacallit (sp?) bar it gave me a certain rasp. but other than that i have no real "rules" per sey

"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

#12

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 10:36pm

I wouldnt suggest shoving down a party sub right before going on stage, but you are fine if its more than an hour beforehand.

I just know the ban on dairy and nuts. I've seen people eat most anything aside from dairy before a performance. Coke. juice (not citric stuff though). Tea.

Actually, herbal tea is really good for the throat.

"My friends have made the story of my life." -Helen Keller

#13

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/9/04 at 10:40pm

no dairy, no carbonated stuff( like soda)...mexican isn't too good either...

You aren't feeling overwhelmed are you?

#14

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/10/04 at 12:56am

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT USE HALLS OR ANYTHING WITH MENTHOL IN IT!
This is a common mistake. What it does is numb your throat. If you want to get saliva going, suck on a hard candy instead.
I used to avoid dairy products and the like until I started performing almost every day. Then it just becomes a matter of getting a balanced diet- in which case you pretty much have to eat taboo foods before you sing. I still avoid peanut butter before I sing....and orange juice, however some singers find orange juice to be beneficial.
There's really no set list....it's trial and error, whatever makes you feel comfortable. Try things out before rehearsals, that'll give you a good feel for what to consume during performances.

#15

re: Food and Singing

Posted: 11/10/04 at 1:04am

I've been in many many shows and been singing for years, and I guess I'm lucky but I can pretty do whatever I want, then go sing and nothing seems to effect it. I can drink a bottle of wine and smoke a few cigarettes and sing just as well as if I'd just drank some water and tea with honey. Honey never does the trick for me - I just do what I want and it seems to be fine.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

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