Can I Sing When I’m Sick?

Disclaimer: this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Singers often ask me if they should sing when they are sick, tired, or hoarse.

Three weeks ago, a producer contacted me with an emergency. A celebrity he was working with was completely hoarse, and they only had a few days left to record his album.

I met with the artist on Zoom, and after following the exercise plan I gave him, he was able to record his album... the very next day!

Similarly, one of my singers woke up with laryngitis while on tour. Afraid she’d have to cancel her sold-out show for 3,000 people, she called me in desperation. Over the course of the day, I met with her every hour for a few minutes, rehabbing her voice so she was able to give a stellar performance that very evening.

The old advice of complete vocal rest is outdated. There are many instances where performing gentle vocal exercises is what your voice needs. Just like stretching is important to rehabbing a broken arm, certain vocal exercises are beneficial to rehabbing a sick or tired voice. Please note: if you have laryngitis or your voice is hoarse, please consult your laryngologist, ENT, or qualified vocal coach before performing any of these exercises.

Here are 6 recommendations to begin rehabbing your voice:

1. Hydrate: drink lots of water throughout the day to lubricate your vocal folds—8 glasses is commonly recommended, although this amount can vary depending on a person’s weight and activity level (electrolyte water best). Warm teas or soups are also good, but hot liquids should be avoided (note: Throat Coat tea contains slippery elm which helps reduce inflammation).

2. Vitamin C: increase your intake when under the weather (studies have shown that 1000-2000 mg of Vitamin C per day can decrease cold symptoms).

3. Steaming: breathe in the steam from a hot shower, or fill up a sink and inhale through your nose for up to 10 minutes a day. You can also get a personal steam inhaler like this one which is great for traveling. (Note: it's best not to speak for 15 to 30 minutes after steaming to rest the vocal cords).

4. Humming: hum on an “NG” (as in the word “sung”) on a 5 note scale (5 notes up and back down).

5. Straws: using a large diameter straw like a boba straw, gently blow bubbles into a bottle/glass of water, working up to a 5 note scale—your cheeks should puff out and your throat feel open like a bullfrog so there’s no tension in your neck.

6. Lip bubbles: lifting your cheeks with your fingers, blow air until your lips bubble in a motorboat-like sound—gently slide up and down the range of your voice making sure your throat feels open and relaxed.

If you follow the above tips, you should start to feel and hear an improvement in your voice (i.e. more open and less hoarse).

There are more exercises to rehab your voice back into shape, however, they should only be performed by singers who have been trained in those techniques and understand their own voice, or under the supervision of a qualified vocal coach, laryngologist, or ENT.

Reach out to me anytime if you have questions or want to book a rehab session.

Keep singing!

Dean