singers/actors vocal remedies
singers/actors vocal remedies
maybethistime
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/3/04
#0singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:09pmhey! i know many actors have special homemade remedies, like honey & hot water or something they do before performances or big auditions, and i was wondering what some of them are. im doing a demanding show right now and im not talking during the day, but what are some of y'alls special little remedies?
#1re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:11pmhoney in water, no dairy for me, and i eat lots or Ricola
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
#2re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:22pm
I don't believe in "saving the voice". I speak throughout the day, but just in a moderate tone - no yelling. I try to get lots of sleep when I'm performing, and drink tons of water throughout the daytime before a performance. I drink lots of "throat coat" tea - (available at most health food stores) and use echinacea in the winter to prevent colds - along with tons of vitamin C
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#3re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:26pmAnd if you are feeling a bit vocally stressed, my lifesaver is Vocalzone lozenges.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#4re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:27pm
Throat lozenges with menthol hurt the voice more than help. So stay clear of Halls and other such cough drops. Cholaseptic is okay if you don't plan on singing the next day. My favorite remedy: Thayers Slippery Elm. Gluten and menthol free.
www.thayers.com
"I am ready to disclaim my opinion, even of yesterday, even of 10 minutes ago, because all opinions are relative. One lives in a field of influences, one is influenced by everyone one meets, everything is an exchange of influences, all opinions are derivative. Once you deal a new deck of cards, you've got a new deck of cards."
— Peter Brook
#5re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:47pmThe honey herb Ricolas were my saving grace in many a show.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#6re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 4:48pmA lot of lozenges mentioned here create too much saliva for me personally when I'm singing...I know everyone is different, but it's something to keep in mind...
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
jczelyph
Broadway Star Joined: 10/21/04
#7re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 5:59pm
I think sleep is the most important part of vocal health for any performer. If you sleep well, warm-up and sing with correct technique then you shouldn't really ever get a sore throat. Of course, some people have little rituals which they carry out to keep them calm.
Honey and lemon in warm water is great for soothing a sore throat if you have an infection and the honey has a well-documented antiseptic action.
Vitamin C isn't really well-founded as an adjunct to the immune system It is useful in smaller doses to prevent deficency disease. To be honest, I see little point in taking vitamin C because few people suffer vitamin C deficency in the Western world, so using vit C to "boost" the immune system really only encourages one to use high doses and risk dose-related toxicity.
"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."
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mizzie
Featured Actor Joined: 9/30/04
#9re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 6:33pmGinger tea and white tea. Before my talent show audition I drank a full cup of the stuff (tastes like crap ) and I got in with 3 other soloists out of about 15 who tried out.
jczelyph
Broadway Star Joined: 10/21/04
#10re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 6:34pmIf you're interested in some fact behind most of the hype surrounding vitamin C and echinacea (espcially vitamin C) go and read http://www.clinicalevidence.com/ceweb/conditions/rda/1506/1506.jsp
"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."
#11re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 7:00pmMmm, I love echinacea. Its my favorite kind of tea. I'm also the only person I know who actually enjoys the taste of Throat Coat.
HROK?
#12re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/14/04 at 9:12pmi LOVE throat coat! another good one is to mix lemon juice, salt, and karo syrup into a cup of warm water, gargle and then spit.. helps me a lot!
Peter: Oh my god, Brian! My Alphabits are sending me a secret message! They say "oooooooooo!"
Brian: Peter, those are Cheerios.
#13re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:46pm
I have to be honest and say I felt that Throat Coat just numbed my vocal cords, which was a really bizarre feeling. Thayer's lozenges, as mentioned above, are GREAT. They contain Slippery Elm which is very soothing.
Westerly Health Food store in Hell's Kitchen is a Godsend. Because it's close to the B'way theatres, many actors shop there, and the staff is really well-equipped to help you out. One suggested a spray called "Singer's Saving Grace" which I love. If I feel a bit strained after demanding singing, a few spray makes it all better.
Also many musical stars (including Sutton Foster) swaer by Grether's Pastilles, which are red or black currant flavoured glycerine lozenges.
http://preppylife.tumblr.com/
LoringsGuy
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/04
#14re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:56pm
I love Singer's Saving Grace! I mentioned the product in a similar thread a couple weeks ago and was surprised more people hadn't heard of it. It tastes like ass, but it really works for me.
"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY
#15re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:57pm
Grether's Pastilles are amazingly horrifically expensive.
Has anyone tried Mucinex yet? I'm tempted...
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#16re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/15/04 at 1:09pmI've taken between 1000 and 1500 milligrams of C daily for the past 20 odd years and I have never suffered any problems because of it.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
LoringsGuy
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/04
#17re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/15/04 at 1:16pm
Rathnait, I saw the commercial for Mucinex and thought it could be a good remedy, but I'm wondering if it would really dry you out?
Anyone tried it? Bueller??
"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY
#18re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/15/04 at 1:24pmThat's exactly what I was wondering, Lorings.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#19re: singers/actors vocal remedies
Posted: 12/15/04 at 1:24pmLoring's- I was amazed at how well Singer's saving Grace came to my rescue. I was several callbacks into a principle for a B'way musical, and I was rehearsing my audition material endlessly (more than I should have). I stopped when I got a bit hoarse, and 5 mins after using the spray felt amazingly better! You're right, it tastes like ass, but it's so worth that sacrifice.
http://preppylife.tumblr.com/
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