Things to drink to keep voice healthy...

[thespian geek]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:17pm

Wasn't sure if I should post this here or in the OT board, but obviously this won out.

Alright, so here's the deal. I just got cast in my first lead role in a musical (hooray community theatre), but I'm really worried about keeping my voice strong and healthy since I have to belt to a high F. So, besides water... what do you suggest I drink and what should I stay away from so I can sing my best? Any advice for anything else would be extremely welcomed, too!

[EganFan2]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:26pm

What show is this?

Tea.

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:27pm

WATER!

[thespian geek]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:28pm

Zanna, Don't! is the show. I got cast as Roberta.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:30pm

Tea with HONEY-also, I've noticed that actually taking the honey itself helps-I put it on a spoon and dip it into the tea, then eat it.

Also-warm water (sounds gross but works!) Cold water makes your vocal cord tighten, so warm (room temp.) water is best.

Also-avoid alcohol in any form.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:33pm

Other than water, nothing. Water's the best for vocal health

Frankly this is more of a technique issue than a liquid issue. How do you keep your voice healthy? Have a REALLY solid technique. I suggest a voice teacher if you can. THEN you can do all the other stuff to keep healthy (no alcohol, smoking, drink water, don't talk etc.)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:35pm

Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

[thepopularone]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:35pm

ricola

you don't drink it.

[broadwayboy1017]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:56pm

throat coat is amazing, but it at whole foods

and ricola before and after i sing

it keeps everything moist

congrats!

[broadwayboy1017]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:56pm

ps: throat coat is tea!
lol

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:58pm

If you're drinking tea, warm, not hot.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 3:59pm

Eastern medicine supports always drinking warm/hot water, even in the warmer months. Cold and ice cold drinks are bad for the voice, throat, and cool the internal fire.

[timmetzner]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 4:05pm

the musical director for all my musicals in college reccomended that the hours during a performance that organic, non-sugar, no preservative room-temperature apple juice is best. apparently its closest to human saliva. Yeah gross, but keeps the throat lubricated naturally.

she could have been off her rocker, but it did work very well for me.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 4:09pm

Bettyboy, extreme temps are jarring to the vocal cords. Warm or cool drinks are fine. It's hot and cold that are ill-advised.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 4:12pm

I find warm water with honey works very well.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 4:24pm

The other day, I made tea using lemonade instead of water, and my voice was better than usual.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 4:26pm

WATER WATER WATER.

It's the purest, most natural method of keeping your voice healthy.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 5:16pm

The other day, I made tea using lemonade instead of water, and my voice was better than usual.

Huh... never heard of that before. Might have to try it!

[scott68]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 5:20pm

A few shots of vodka is my daily regimen. After seven or eight, I think my voice sounds Broadway-caliber!

[hlywoodstarlet]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 5:23pm

The other day when I went to see Jersey Boys, Daniel Reichard and I were talking about this and he suggested Smart Water because of the electrolytes in it.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 5:23pm

Careful of the lemonade. The acid ain't so hot for the chords.

If you go the tea route, make sure it's herbal and non-caffeinated. Also, I was told to try to avoid the mint teas, no matter how delicious. The herbal tea recommended by Dr. Gwen 'ENT to the Stars' Korovin (back when she was accepting insurance) was black currant herbal tea.

But water is and always will be the best.

[Calvin]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 5:25pm

It's just like that old Rufus Wainwright standard suggests: cigarettes and chocolate milk.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 5:27pm

Back in my younger days, I was in the ensemble of SWEENEY TODD and drink a milk shake between acts...and it didn't bother me one bit. Which was nothing compared to the smoking and boozing I did in college and beyond. And it didn't bother me a whit.

But, alas, I am no longer young.

[Calvin]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 5:29pm

No kidding, robbie. One bite of cheese now and I'm Eileen Brennan.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 5:30pm

Oh please. I even look at one of those small shooters of half-and-half and I'm late career Brenda Vaccaro.

Water, bitches! Water!