Dry Throat - What to do

[silkcityflorida]

I enjoy singing while playing, but my throat gets so dry.  I take sips of water between songs, but it does not seem to help.  What about some sort of glycerin spray?  Any ideas?

[love2play21]

go to your local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist, they will give you a bottle of something (i forgot what it is, its in my acc. bag at work) that works well and tastes like mint, I'll pm you the name when I get to work tomorrow.

[Caleb]

Seems to me like you may be overall dehydrated.  I'd try drinking more water throughout the day to get your system on track before taking some form of medication. 

.02

[Randy_R]

I haven't tried this, but a friend uses it and swears by it.

http://www.entertainerssecret.com/

[SteveO]

Try This Cear Voice, vocal spray....soothes tired voices, relieves scratchy throat...
www.clearvoicespray.com

[Cowgirlie]

Oh, I can help here, I tour a lot in dry states, and know some tricks.
Sound of Acoustic Soul is right, I think you are dehydrated too. It's easy to get that way.
Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate. If it's a day you are going to sing, limit yourself to one cup of coffee, and no caffinated drinks later on. Water, herb tea, no sugared drinks, and  NO MILK,
Drink tepid to warm water all day, and my personal trick for great hydration is Propel Fitness water. It is VERY LOW in sugar, and contains electrolytes. It will help your throat feel more lubricated.
I drink at least a quart of the stuff while I'm in the last two hours before a show (room temp, not cold) I will mix up a botttle for onstage that is half hot water, half Propel, and if it's a dry room, I make myself stop and drink some every other song or so. Knock on wood, I can do a two hour show night after night without any voice strain. Singing through dryness will do some damage, tearing the little elastic parts of your vocal chords, which make you feel drier, and you will then start coughing and clearing your throat, even harder on your voice.
     It was not a short answer, but I do know what I'm talking about!

   

[sgarnett]

Curious ... I spent several years living in hotels on endless business trips. I became accustomed to drinking most beverages at room temperature; a habit I've maintained ever since.

Do cold beverages dry your throat?

[aaronjnoone]

+1 to what Cowgirlie said. Lukewarm water is easier on your vocal chords, and is more readily processed into your system.

One of my friends uses Throat Coat tea as well. Never tried it, but apparently it helps if you sing a lot.
http://www.tealand.com/ThroatCoat.asp

[Cowgirlie]

That "throat coat" tea is great, a lifesaver if you have sinus problems!
Yep, warm water absorbs more easily, plus is loosens your vocal chords as it goes down as opposed to tightening them (which cold water does)

One more thing I use when traveling is Mucinex, the over the counter relief for that dry tickle cough you get from traveling. It is usually due to mucous not being able to drain properly, and the Mucinex gets it out without the damagaing effects of other sinus remedies.

So there ya go...go forth and sing!

[love2play21]

oasis is the stuff i was refering to

[sgarnett]

One more thing I use when traveling is Mucinex, the over the counter relief for that dry tickle cough you get from traveling. It is usually due to mucous not being able to drain properly, and the Mucinex gets it out without the damagaing effects of other sinus remedies.

When I was travelling a lot, I always sought out a Thai restaurant for a really spicy meal as soon as possible after landing. A potent bowl of chili would probably do the trick too. Obviously a lot of water is involved too, but that alone isn't enough.

A cross-country plane trip would leave me feeling dehydrated for days before I discovered that trick.

[uke richard]

If all the solutions above do not work, try a dampit 

[joxter]

All this hydrating makes me think I need a bathroom break.  And if I drank that much liquid before performing, I don't know if I could make it without a bathroom break.  Or is the adrenaline rush enough to keep it at bay?

[Cowgirlie]

I am going to try to be as diplomatic in saying this as I can be. I sincerely do not want anyone to be offended. Here is the rule of thumb for being hydrated enought to do a 45 minute to an hour set with no vocal strain.

Drink water (or other hydrating fluids) untill you are eliminating every 1/2 hour, and it should be nearly clear. Then you can slow down on the fluids, just holding a mouthful at a time in your mouth and letting yourself swallow a little at a time to keep your throat lubricated.

Most folks doing this can then make one last bathroom trip a few minutes before going on, and will be fine for an hour. If you are playing a multi set show, just remember to hydrate more between sets.

[ducktrapper]

I suppose, MORE BEER, is out of the question? 

[Cowgirlie]

Not for you Duck