What do you drink before looking over the Mic?

[RatRod Gentleman]

Dear Vocalists

What do you drink prior to a gig to free up vocal chords and dislodge phlegm? Drambiue, cough medicine, beer?

Thanks, phlegm filled vocalist.

 

[GlenP]

I keep a bag of cough drops in my mic cable bag, and try to bring a bottle of sweet honey lemon iced tea. Not sure if that would help at all with phlegm, try
Mucinex?

 

[dspellman]

Dear Vocalists

What do you drink prior to a gig to free up vocal chords and dislodge phlegm? Drambiue, cough medicine, beer?

Thanks, phlegm filled vocalist.

We had a singer who developed a whale of a cold a couple of days before an important gig. He wanted to go out and party, but had no voice whatsoever. We poured Uzo down his throat, followed by Drambuie and whatever we had in the medicine cabinet, threw him under about five blankets and had our drummer sit on him until he passed out. Worked.

These days, I'd probably suggest DayQuil.

 

[markeebee]

If you had ever heard me sing, you'd understand why my answer to the question is "lots".

 

[Cryin_Caleb_Aaron]

On stage I drink water or seltzer with lemon.

In the studio, I used to struggle to keep my voice in good shape for a long day of singing. I tried tea with honey, warm water with lemon etc.
One day I went against all advice and started drinking chocolate milk in the recording studio when tracking lead vocals. I’m not fond of the taste of milk or the feeling it gives in the stomach, but it lubes the throat. I can sing and sing and sing and shout, and howl, and sing and I never lose my voice.
Everyone from band mates to recording engineers have told me it’s gross, but they never argue with the results.

 

[RatRod Gentleman]

We poured Uzo down his throat, followed by Drambuie

Thanks for your advice, so far I’m kinda hooked on the above concept..

 

[RatRod Gentleman]

Very

On stage I drink water or seltzer with lemon.

In the studio, I used to struggle to keep my voice in good shape for a long day of singing. I tried tea with honey, warm water with lemon etc.
One day I went against all advice and started drinking chocolate milk in the recording studio when tracking lead vocals. I’m not fond of the taste of milk or the feeling it gives in the stomach, but it lubes the throat. I can sing and sing and sing and shout, and howl, and sing and I never lose my voice.
Everyone from band mates to recording engineers have told me it’s gross, but they never argue with the results.

interesting indeed, in my case milk appears to lube well but creates the afore mentioned throat snot which appears to rob me of half of my top octave… and invariably I only find out of the robbery when I need those notes, in front of patrons who aren’t nearly drunk enough at that stage.

 

[Cryin_Caleb_Aaron]

Very

interesting indeed, in my case milk appears to lube well but creates the afore mentioned throat snot which appears to rob me of half of my top octave… and invariably I only find out of the robbery when I need those notes, in front of patrons who aren’t nearly drunk enough at that stage.

Throat snot!! Ewwwwww haha
I keep my throat clear by sipping water, clearing my throat etc, taking a break, going outside to smoke a butt and hawking and spitting.
Long ago, I used to bring milk to gigs to sip on stage, but I found it didn’t matter much. The stakes weren’t high enough to endure a belly fulla milk.

 

[Rene Asologuitar]

I like Whiskey and/or Brandy.

Vocal Eze, is something I also have in my guitar case, especially when I feel something brewing in my throat.
This is a throat spray, herbal supplement.

 

[Ricochet]

Long ago, I used to bring milk to gigs to sip on stage, but I found it didn’t matter much. The stakes weren’t high enough to endure a belly fulla milk.

Can't you just gargle the stuff?

 

[cielski]

I'm lactose intolerant (damn cows!). I love buttermilk, but just can't touch the stuff anymore.
I can't sing---court order. If you heard me sing, you'd likely recommend lava.

 

[MadKaw]

Water.

 

[Cryin_Caleb_Aaron]

Can't you just gargle the stuff?

Yes.
Small sips and gargle.
But spitting milk out into a bottle or bucket or spittoon is kinda gross.

 

[cielski]

Water.

My drink of choice. 1/2 gallon per day.

Yes.
Small sips and gargle.
But spitting milk out into a bottle or bucket or spittoon is kinda gross.

Spitting anything while on stage is gross.

 

[Cryin_Caleb_Aaron]

Spitting anything while on stage is gross.

 

[Henry]

If it's possible, I find steam to be the best treatment for phlegm. Shower or a towel over humidifier. There may be other ways. may not be practical just before a gig, but maybe before you leave home. You could try some over the counter drugs that don't cause drowsiness.

 

[stiv]

If I want to sing at my best, both live and in studio, just water.
If I just want to have fun (not in studio though, time is money), everything with alcohol in it.

 

[RatRod Gentleman]

If I want to sing at my best, both live and in studio, just water.
If I just want to have fun (not in studio though, time is money), everything with alcohol in it.

Some beer prior to a show helps me calm any nerves and approach some songs with more authority, but gee it’s a balance. To much and .. well we’ve probably all been there

 

[thunder58]

Mouthwash ............ especially if you're sharing a mic thank you very much

 

[Emergence]

I try to always have a double shot cappuccino within reach. My fear is yawning. My doc prescribed montelucast for post nasal drip years back when I got the flu. It’s a cheap generic that works.