<p>My S's ent said don't clear your throat, it bangs the cords together, he said when you need to clear your throat take a sip of water instead. I don't know if my S actually does that, but that is what he was told. The steamer really will help with the gook. Also a quick round of sit ups or push ups helps too!</p>
<p>My D's voice teacher told her to avoid clearing her throat. It is not good for the throat but can also become a habit that is hard to break.</p>
<p>No, I am being treated lol, sorry for the confusion, I was just saying in addition to being on prescription meds.</p>
<p>I have two questions</p>
<p>Despite being in choirs throughout the school days, am I still supposed to warm up similarly when I come home from school to practice for my auditions? </p>
<p>Also, does "warming down" differ from a warm up? If so, how?</p>
<p>Thnak you very much for this helpful article. We're having allergy probs where we live and this will help us a lot!</p>
<p>this thread is so helpful as it is now the time of the year where colds and the flu are going around. along with the MT class of 2012 practicing for auditions or already auditioning.
now for 2 questions.
1. are humidifiers actually beneficial. and if so, what are some really good kinds?
2. as for the personal steamers, is it ok to put in scents such as mint oil (like the aromatic oil things?)</p>
<p>Question regarding sickness:</p>
<p>Does this rule of only singing through sickness apply to throat-related ailments? I've had a head cold for the past week or so in which I am massively congested but don't have a sore throat/cough. I have also heard from both my voice teacher (who has had many students on Broadway/Tours and is known to be "the top" in my city) to sing through sickness as long as it doesn't hurt or strain. I'm wondering if CoachC can shed a little more light on this subject.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>ONLY sing through sickness if you are not hoarse!!! If you are hoarse at ALL from drainage, DO NOT SING!!!! You don't have to feel strained and sore to be hoarse - and if your vocal folds are swollen at all and you sing, you are at greatly increased risk of an injury. But if you are truly JUST congested in your head, you will be ok. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that MANY voice teachers and even voice doctors give INCORRECT advice. I know b/c we see people who have been messed up by these "big names" all the time - they fly to see us after damage has already been done. I'm not equating your voice teacher with those people, actormcf - just a general word of caution.</p>
<p>Humidifiers are absolutely, 100% beneficial - they provide your vocal folds with surface hydration/prevent you from drying out - get a warm air, not cool mist, one.</p>
<p>Personal steamers provide even more concentrated surface hydration for your vocal folds. DO NOT put menthol pads, oils, etc. in them - while those are sometimes helpful for SINUS difficulty, they are both irritating and drying to the vocal folds.</p>
<p>Coach C, my kid sleeps with a humidifier going in her room all year round, both because she is a singer and because she has various upper respiratory allergies. It sure seems to help. However, it's a cool mist one. Why are they not OK? (She just filled it, and now I feel as if I must go to her room and empty it and pull the plug ... don't wanna take chances during audition season!) Please advise about the cool mist versus warm air situation. (She has that great little personal steamer, which is warm air.)</p>
<p>Cool mist is ok, but warm air is better. We actually have a quest at work to find out why this is true - something about how the air is cooled. BUT if it works, it's still humidification - so keep it up!</p>
<p>We have used - or my daughter has - the personal steamer quite often since seeing it recommended here. She packed it for her audition and steamed right before walking out the door. I think it also helps relax those last minute nerves. We also pack the Throat Coat and Breathe Easy tea so she can have a cup the morning of an audition or lesson.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions for brands of warm mist humidifiers. I have only used the cool ones and remember having ones that were hard to clean and generally unruly.</p>
<p>Try being a good environmental steward, and air dry your clothing on racks and/or hangers....you save the energy of the clothes dryer and the humidifier, and it is easy to monitor the air.</p>
<p>lorelei, that's a great idea. But not everyone lives in a house or apartment or condo that is large enough to permit hanging very many clothes about to dry!</p>
<p>cartera45, I would recommend either Slant-Fin or Air-O-Swiss for a warm mist humidifier. The Air-O-Swiss can provide either cool or warm mist. I just got one for my office and I really like it.</p>
<p>Thanks BreatheEasy. BTW - you make a great tea. D drinks it all the time.</p>
<p>cartera45: You crack me up. We like BreatheEasy tea, too. :)</p>
<p>I may change my screen name to Throat Coat.</p>
<p>I may change mine to Earl Gray.</p>