Singing with colds/flu/general hoarseness.

It is that time of year when literally everybody appears to be ill with coughs and colds. I have alot of students who are unsure whether they are supposed to carry on singing or how to get the best out of their voices when they are ill. Here are a few tips and pointers:

1. Drink lots of water
2. Avoid drinking tea/coffee/cream/alcohol before singing - this dehydrates you.
3. Take vitamin C and eat lots of fruit and veg - this helps build your immune system to fight off bugs.
4. REST!
5. Try not to cough or clear your throat too much as this can damage your vocal folds.
6. Suck on lozenges - this will help with dry/sore throats.
7. Hot water steam inhallation - to help unblock sinuses and releive bronchitis. Breathe in steam produced from hot water, some people put their head over a bowl with a towel over their head. You can also put some drops of essential oils in, with essential oils you can clear up even quicker. Be careful when doing this - you don't want to get burnt!
8. Do NOT sing when your voice is hoarse unless absolutely necessary.
9. Do NOT sing when your throat feels sore.
10. As you start recovering start humming for a few minutes at a time around your mid range and gradually expand the range the more you recover. I your voice starts to become hoarse again, rest it for longer.