My exam is on Tuesday. My body has very kindly got itself a nasty throat / sinus infection. Effect is that I have a couple of missing notes, and my voice doesn't feel very flexible. Given that my technique was already less than stable for this exam (my teacher says I could get anything from a distinction to a bare pass, depending on what I do on the day, as the technique is just starting to settle, and still very inconsistent), I'm really nipping myself now.

Any brilliant throat clearing suggestions? Fabulous remedies to cure all that ails?

You poor thing! Not very pleasant anyway, let alone right on to of an exam. I think I would recommend resting the voice until perhaps tomorrow night, (that includes talking!), when I would advise some gentle humming and maybe trying out your songs gently, but no more. And do not be tempted to whisper - that puts more strain on the vocal folds than anything.
Honey and lemon juice in hot water is very soothing. Lemon juice in hot water first thing on the morning of your exam will clear any phlegm. Drink plenty of water.
Avoid throat sweets with menthol in them - current Harley Street thinking is that it is too harsh for the voice. And avoid lozenges which have an anaesthetic effect.
Just do your best. At grade 4 technique is not a huge issue. Good rhythms and note accuracy are most important, together with putting the songs over by telling the story, with good diction, facial expressions and dynamic contrast.
Try not to worry. Have an early night and get plenty of rest.
Good luck - let us know how you get on.

Ann

I like Lockets "Honey and Lemon & Menthol" - they clear my airways pretty quick.

Steam inhalation is generally good, with an appropriate aromatic, e.g. menthol.

Ann's right about hot water with lemon juice. It's really effective.

Actually, inhaling just steam, nothing in it, works pretty well too. When I'm cold-y I do it a couple of times a day to shift the muck that's built up inside me. I'd suggest using steam just before you set out to the exam, so that its effect is still there when you have to perform.

The other one thats good is crystalised ginger.

Avoid mucous causing foods like milk and bananas, that should keep the gunk down to a minimum. Avoid alcohol, drink plenty of water and try steam inhalation.

Honey, lemon and ginger all together is wonderful, as is ginger and honey steeped in hot water.

Whatever you do don't use anything with a local anaesthetic in it.

I hope you a feeling better for your exam.

Unfortunately, I had a two hour lecture, followed by two hours of student consultation. Voice has now almost entirely gone. I'm going to rest it for the rest of the day, but I'm not holding out much hope!

I'm really sorry to hear that.

Having to cancel or try to postpone may be a difficult decision, but think about the bigger picture with your voice.

For your own self-esteem's sake is it really worthwhile not being able to give it your best during an examination.

JoD

Yeah, I'm thinking seriously about it. I have a lesson booked in the morning with my teacher who's also accompanying me. So I think I'll see how it sounds and feels in the morning. It's so depressing, though.

J

Well I've just tried to have a gentle run through of my songs, and all my notes above a middle C are missing. I think it's laryngitis - when I try to sing a note, I just get a weird breathy wail instead.

I'm feeling really bitterly disappointed, and miserable about it, but barring an overnight miracle, I guess I'm going to have to cancel. Unless anyone has any brilliant ideas for singing through laryngitis?

I have a choir performance of the messiah on Saturday, which I've also been working for for months, so I'm just hoping I won't have to miss that too.

Absolutely no voice this morning - not even speaking voice. This has never happened to me before. Of course it had to happen today!

Such bad luck Meerkat - I'm so sorry for you.

Can you get someone to contact ABRSM for you and see if you can re-schedule at the end of the series of exams in your area? Someone near you might even be having a Special Visit in April and would be willing to incorporate you if the examiner agrees. Just a thought. Remember if you get a doctor's note, you can get some of your money back if not.

Otherwise, try and look on it as one of life's miserable experiences and then take the exam in the summer and do fantastically well.

Hope you get better soon.

Meerkat - so sorry! It's frustrating and very disappointing for you.

Am just getting my voice back after 4 weeks with almost none. At least I didn't have to do a singing exam n that time. All the best with whatever you decide.

Oh Meerkat, I'm sorry to hear this. It sounds like you got the voice-killer that felled Maggiemay and me.

And when you do get your new opportunity (whether it's later this session or next) be selfish about protecting your voice beforehand - don't give lectures or consultations. You are allowed to be ill, you know.

Anyway, look after yourself now, and I hope you feel better soon.

ABRSM were lovely, but unfortunately the only time they could offer me (and I looked at most centres in the region) was a time next week when my accompanist can't make it. I've tried a couple of other accompanists but it's too late notice, really. So I'm going to cancel, and my teacher's suggesting I go for grade 5 in the summer instead.

I'm so sorry to hear this meerkat, but much as you are dissapointed today, you have made a wise decision.

Get well soon, and good luck for the summer.

JoD

So so sorry to hear the news. Sometimes it seems things just aren't destined to happen. I hope you will be okay for your concert - just rest your voice (and all the rest of you as well), so hopefully you will be ok for that. The only silver lining I can think of for this cloud is that by the summer your voice will be that much more developed, so you will probably get better marks if you sit the exam then ratehr than now. Don't plug away constantly at the exam pieces though between now and then or you will be sick to the back teeth with them.

Sending you warmest get well soon vibes.



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