stop sniffling and start singing, or, how to get over a cold for 45 minutes.

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So let's say you're a singer and let's say you've got a gig coming up in a few days and let's say you have a cold. (Perhaps it's mostly coughing with some congestion and some swollen lymphs and ok perhaps it might be more than a cold but it seems to be going away and let's say you hate your doctor and yet can't find a new one.)

Are there any tricks for making the cold subside for the length of the show so you can sweetly sing and/or scream as needed? Or do you try to figure out a way to whisper your songs, like some near-death Billie Holiday in a Frank O'Hara poem? Or do you get all "experimental" for one show and startle everybody? Or do you come out all wrapped in swaddling clothes and make a play for sympathy and cough voraciously between each song (or verse)?

Ideas?

― Chris P (Chris P), Thursday, 9 January 2003 23:22 (twenty-three years ago)

Echinacea, zinc, vitamin C and hot tea should become your best friends NOW.

Avoid cough medicines with menthol in them, as they can dr out your cords and put you in a situation where you could hurt your voice. (Having said that, it probably isn't that big of a deal until the day of the show as long as you're properly hydrating yourself.)

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 9 January 2003 23:28 (twenty-three years ago)

Hot tea has always been a good friend, but I suppose it's time we did a little Outward Bound together to solidify the relationship.

I've mostly been using my good friends the Quils, Day and Ny, which are really the only medications that seem to work well on me. I just checked the packaging and they don't seem to have any menthol in them, but... I probably won't want to be in the Quil Zone the day of the show anyway.

― Chris P (Chris P), Friday, 10 January 2003 02:37 (twenty-three years ago)

When you come to OC, we'll take you to any number of good Vietnamese places with soups that'll clear your sinuses and then some. Just have some of that before a show!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 10 January 2003 02:40 (twenty-three years ago)

See, I am paranoid that Asian restaurants often don't understand the concept of vegetarian, throwing fish juice willy nilly into the most green-beany dishes. Jake has promised me that OC is filled with fantastic all-vegetarian Asian restaurants. I am dubious but curious. Mostly dubious. But also kinda curious. You know?

I should hunt down some more Finnish spicy salty licorice hard candy. Those are pretty potent! Also, disgusting, but in a really yummy way.

― Chris P (Chris P), Friday, 10 January 2003 02:49 (twenty-three years ago)

Jake has promised me that OC is filled with fantastic all-vegetarian Asian restaurants. I am dubious but curious.

Trust Mr. Jake! He will not lead you astray.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 10 January 2003 02:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Hot lemon tea + honey, or grated ginger root tea + honey.

I don't have to sing, but I've been fighting a cough since christmas, and I swear I've probably drank something like 6 gallons of each kind. The honey & the warmth help a lot, since Robitussin isn't being very effective for me.

― lyra (lyra), Friday, 10 January 2003 03:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Afrin and Claritin (which is now available over the counter...yay!) should clear your sinuses up long enough to sing. Listen to Dan and Lyra though if you actually want to get well. Good luck!

― , Friday, 10 January 2003 03:34 (twenty-three years ago)

drink grog I, but know I why not?

http://perso.club-internet.fr/philippe.dichampt/images/les_co12.jpg

― erik, Friday, 10 January 2003 08:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Ditto the Vitamin C and echinacea cocktail, try some trace elements, too, zinc and magnesium and calcium just cause they up the immune system. Hot drinks are your friends, LEMSIP LEMSIP LEMSIP but I don't know if they have that in America. Herbal teas are great - especially peppermint or ginger and lemon, sweeten with honey cause it's a natural erm... I forget the term, but it's medicinal.

AVOID Dayquil, it makes me hallucinate, and unless you want to turn into Flaming Lips mid-set... well, actually that might not be a bad thing. Hrmmmmm.

(Sorry... with all those fucking smoke-filled rooms on tour, it you don't start with a raging cold, you'll sure end with one)

― kate, Friday, 10 January 2003 09:54 (twenty-three years ago)

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