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Hey singers!
It's Justin Stoney
the founder of New York Vocal Coaching
with you today for another episode of
Quick Singing Tips.
Today we're standing outside the Minskoff Theatre
where the Lion King will not be sleeping tonight.
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[ Buzzer ]
In fact this show has been playing
on Broadway for over 20 years.
I remember I saw this show myself in the year 2000
when I was just a wee young cub.
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And, it's still running.
Truly, the show must go on.
And this leads us to today's question from
James D. in Los Angeles, California.
James writes, "Dear Justin, is it okay to sing when you're sick?"
Awesome and important question, James.
I know that most common vocal wisdom
will tell you, "No! You must never, ever sing when you're sick!"
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[ Coughing ]
[ Buzzer ]
But, you might have noticed that most
common vocal wisdom is too cautious,
too careful, too conservative.
[ Buzzer ]
The truth is, there are times
when we just have to sing when we're sick.
Maybe it's the day of the big audition or competition.
Maybe you've got the recording studio booked,
or maybe it's the night that you're making your Broadway debut.
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These are all times when we can't avoid
having to sing when we're sick.
But, the problem is most of us have been told that
we should never, ever do it.
And that leaves us feeling very unprepared.
In fact, when you're sick it's actually a great opportunity
to practice or take a voice lesson.
When the instrument is less than 100 percent
that's actually when you need your vocal technique
to come through for you and save the day.
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That's when you need your vocal technique to be its very best.
Now let's be clear, I'm not talking about
when you have laryngitis or you can't make a sound.
It's actually quite dangerous.
That's a time to keep quiet and not mess around.
[ Shushing ]
I'm talking about the common cold.
When you're dealing with a stuffy nose,
a little sneezing, a light cough, things like that.
The times when it's unpleasant to sing
but certainly not impossible to sing.
Those are the moments you'll need to focus in on the
precision of your technique.
During your warmups, your practice, or your lesson.
Now here's some ways that you can focus
when you're feeling sick.
You'll need your flexibility.
That means to make sure to spend even more time
stretching out your head voice if you're a female,
and your falsetto if you're a male.
You'll need your breath support.
That means making sure that you're not pushing
extra air or volume to compensate for your illness.
You'll need nasal resonance.
Your nasal passages might be blocked when you've got a cold.
So you got to spend extra time with exercises that use
M, N and the NG sound to make sure that things
can still resonate in this area.
Last, listen to your body.
If there are things that need to be stretched out,
stretch them out.
If there are spots in your voice that need extra warming up,
warm them up.
Try to not push on the areas that feel thick and heavy.
But opt for a lighter coordination instead.
If you take the time to really make sure your
technique is working extra well, you should be able to have success
in those times when your big day just happens
to fall on a sick day.
Well, those are some quick tips for today.
Here are some other ways that you and I
can stay connected on the vocal journey.
For voice lessons or Skype lessons with the NYVC staff
visit us at NewYorkVocalCoaching.com.
If you'd like a vocal course that you can do at home check out the
Voice Lessons To The World Vocal Course.
This twelve part program takes you on a singing journey
from beginner to master level vocal exercises.
You can find it at VoiceLessonsToTheWorld.com.
Or, if you'd like free vocal tips sent to you each day
sign up at DailyVocalTips.com.
And now, here's Justin with this week's vocal benediction.
Here's wishing you nothing but health
and vocal health, always.
But in those times that you're feeling
a little under the weather,
trust your technique.
You wouldn't be watching this show if you weren't
somebody who cares deeply about vocal health.
So take good care of yourself.
And, Hakuna Matata.
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