Singing While Sick

Way back in the days before COVID, when I was in my twenties and doing a lot of performing, I was cast in a show by a local composer. The budget was super tight as it was both a brand new work and a brand new company, so we were a six person cast with no understudies.

The second weekend of shows, I got a high fever — around 103/104 — and so I called the director and asked what I should do, as I was the female lead of the show. She said that we couldn’t cancel the weekend and that no one else could cover my part (the only other woman in the cast was in her 60s and an alto, and my part was written for a soprano in her 20s). So, she talked to the cast, and we decided that I was going to do the performances.

It was particularly difficult in this show, as, in the plot, all the characters were locked in a room for the entire duration of the show. This meant I never had a break to go offstage, cough, drink water, or even blow my nose. So, I just lined up a bunch of cough drops up my sleeve and did the show. And, it was fine. It was certainly better than if I didn’t do the show.

Every performer has a story like this. Something you learn fast in the theatre world is that the show must go on. We learn that you have to do the best with what you’ve got — and what you’ve got TRULY changes with each day…often due to factors beyond your control. But you can always still go on, and you can always offer the best you have that day.

But, on a sick day, what can you offer? How can you do your best even in less-than-ideal circumstances?

Firstly, make sure that doing your best doesn’t sacrifice anyone else’s. COVID has changed the game a bit, so take a COVID test, and be honest with your director and castmates about how you are feeling. They may have someone who can cover your part. Because if you are sick and it spreads (singing is actually a super spreader of respiratory illnesses), you could be responsible for shutting the whole show down. If it’s possible for someone to cover you, let it happen and take the day off.

But, let’s say it’s absolutely impossible to take the day off. What if it’s your own show, venue booked, and audience showing up? Talk to your doctor and then follow these tips to help deal with swollen, sticky vocal cords:

VOCAL REST: Do not talk or sing when you don’t need to. Save it for when it counts.

HYDRATE: Water is your best friend. Vocal cords are meant to be wet and slidy so that they can easily bounce off each other while they vibrate to produce sound. If your cords are dry, they will stick together when vibrating, causing you to crack or go flat (because any sticking together slows the vibrations, reduces the frequency, and lowers the pitch slightly). Be especially careful to stay hydrated if you take a decongestant medication — as decongestants work by drying out everything….but, everything means your vocal cords, too. (As a suggestion, try using Mucinex instead of other sinus medications — it works with water, not against it.) Also, any extra mucus on your vocal cords also messes with the vibrations. So, staying very hydrated can keep the mucus sticking to your vocal cords thin, and it gives you a better shot at getting accurate sound.

STEAM: The best way to keep your cords wet is by breathing in steam. This is the only way to get moisture directly on your vocal cords (because drinking sends water down your food tube (not your air tube), and it’ll take some time for your circulatory system to send it all around you and into your cords). So, be that music nerd and invest in a personal steamer. Sleep with a humidifier. Bring tea and breathe in the steam. When all else fails, take a long hot shower just before getting ready to leave for the performance.

NETIPOT: If you don’t already know this torture device, get to know it. It’s a nasal rinse, and it can get the gunk out of your sinuses so that it doesn’t drip down on your cords while they are trying to vibrate. Nasal rinses like these can give you up to an hour of good, clean singing.

HEMORRHOID CREAM: What?! Yes. Only do this when you have absolutely no choice, as it’s best to let vocal cords rest if they are very swollen. But, if you don’t have a voice and need one for about 30-40 minutes, get a tube of hemorrhoid cream, put the cream on your hand and rub it on the OUTSIDE of your throat where your larynx (“adam’s apple”) is. Hemorrhoid Cream is an anti-inflammatory and some of the vapors may get in there and help you to take the swelling down on your vocal cords. I have tried it, and it has worked. But, this is a solve you use once every 5 years or so. Don’t make a habit of it. If you can’t even speak, listen to your body, and rest your cords.

BE VIGILANT: Even if you start feeling a little sick – a tickle in your throat even – act right away by taking some Vitamin C, Echinacea, EmergenC, Zinc, or other immune-boosting vitamins. Drink tons of water to cleanse the bugs out of your system. Sleep more than you think you are able to. The best defense is a good offense.

VOCAL TECHNIQUE ADJUSTMENTS: Making sure your breath stays low is always important, but especially so when your lungs feel yucky. Use extra abdominal support, and make sure your neck and throat are very relaxed. You’re gonna want to lower the glottal pressure (how hard your vocal cords hit together), too, so sing in a lighter, less intense way. Also, monitor your pitches carefully, as they will want to go flat. Try to keep your energy and attitude up, and accept that you aren’t going to sound perfect. But, something doesn’t have to be perfect to be good!

P.S. For women, our cords swell up every month when we are on our periods, so many of the same tips apply.