Hi everyone,



I don't sing with a teacher but I love singing and sing everywhere I go. I'm currently taking part in a West End show of "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat". I'm only in the chorus but I would get tired after shows, exspeciallyt on double show days, which are often. To wake me up between double shows I drink a can of Red Bull. I found that i'm not only more awake but I find it easier to sing! Is this a good thing? Or am I really wrecking my voice? And is it ok to make a habit of it during the duration of the shows? It leaves at the begining of September.



I also find I have a hoarse voice after the show but my throat doesn't hurt. I drink a lot of water and drink a mug of honey and lemon after each show if I can but is there any other alternative? And why is it going hoarse?



Regards,

x Leanne x Hellokitty x

Hi Leanne

Personally I don't think Red Bull's a good idea. It's a stimulant, so it's mucking about with your body's chemicals and systems, and it's fizzy, which isn't helpful when you're singing.

If you're getting hoarse, then you're stressing your throat, which will cause you discomfort and trouble in the long run. I know the temptation is to shout or try to belt in musicals, but DON'T. Just sing normally, and if you start going hoarse, sing very very gently or stop.

The water is good, honey and lemon won't cause much of a problem in my view (although some people don't like the idea of taking honey when you're singing) but do stop the Red Bull, and make sure you're not shouting onstage.

I know I'm no pro, but I would have said exactly the same as Katyjay. I'm sure there are other alternatvies to keep you more energetic, I'll have a think.

Well done in getting in by the way, I would KILL to do a West End! (how did you actually get in?)

I think (not sure though) that Red Bull is packed full of caffeine. If so you run the risk of becoming caffeine-dependant before too long, and side effects include irritability, mood swings, and insomnia. And a stonking headache for a couple of days if you suddenly stop taking it. I'd recommend eating a banana before the evening performance instead.

Very many congratulations for making it to the West End.

Amber
x

Hi hellokitty. I have just looked at your profile and read that you are only fourteen. Do be careful with your voice. You are very young to be doing so much work. How did you get into the show by the way, and how often do you perform?

Like Katjay has said I'm sure there is some alternative...

I don't know if this is just as bad but have you thought about drinking lucozade (the non fizzy stuff) so that is doesn't make you throat dry and also stops you from burping (might cause embarassment), try lucozade sport...or is that a bad idea but I don't think it can be anywhere near as bad as Red Bull, especially only at the age of 14?

Yes thirded...how did you get into the West End Show?

Annetta xx

I agree with the others. Going hoarse after a performance is a sure sign that you are not supporting your voice properly. If you are serious about a career in singing, I urge you to get singing lessons before you do any damage. At 14 you are at the age when there are a lot of changes going on with the vocal chords (it's not just boys that have changes), and this is the time when voices have to be treated with the utmost care if you want your voice to last for life.
Incidentally, I'm curious to know how you do so many performances at 14. I was under the impression that there are very stringent rules for frequency of performances for minors. Many of my students take part in professional shows such as these at Bristol Hippodrome, etc., but the wouldn't be allowed to do double shows or even sing on consecutive nights. A second chorus is recruited for the job.

If you are finding yourself regularly reaching fro the Red Bull, or fully leaded Coca Cola, then you are doing so to compensate for the fact that you are shattered. As AnnC your voice is changing, and working it too hardcan lead to permenant harm.

So instead of hitting the stimulants, insure you have enough sleep and drink loads of water. You only have one voice, and the closest to an instrument repair workshop you can find is an ENT surgeon.

Your throat and your body is telling you you are doing too much. Don't talk between performances, and get some rest. Then when this is all over and you've given yourself time to recover from all of this, get some lessons. Insure they are from someone who knows what they are doing, and treat your singing voice with utmost care.

Its Ok someone like Katyjay, AnnC or me singing for a long time. We've had time to develop the vocal stamina to do so. You are young (by singers terms still a babe in arms) don't run before you can walk.

But keep mouthing the words, or you'll look real silly.

Hi everyone!



Thanks for all your feedback! I really have realised that i have a delicate voice! I was at Battle Of The Bands last year and had a Chamber Choir audition the next day! I could hardly speak let alone sing I'm trying again this year! I met H (Jospeh) after the show earlier!! Here's the photo...For those who dont know that Ian "H" Watkins, former singer in Steps! The first time i saw him I was totally starstruck but he's just an average person like the rest of us...who has a lot of money...and is famous...and has a lead role in West End...



The picture went a bit odd with the light but I didn't take it haha! My god I look like an idiot in it! Haha!!! And here's one with Simon, who plays Dan. I sit near him during the begining of each part so we get to chat to him before curtain up The shirt actually says "I [heart] Simon" haha! He signed it saying "Thank you so MUCH!! All my love Simon Kingsley" He actually waved at me and my mate during the show haha! We were pretty hard to miss - we were waving blue and white pom poms about haha! I can get away with acting mad, I'm only 14



Ok so how did I get into a West End? Funny story: I saw an advert in the newspaper They were originally only going to take kids from one of the island's drama groups but they found it wasn;t enough so thye held open auditions and guess what? I got in! Thanks for your advice on the Red Bull! No more for me! Not for a while anyway! Umm...the amount of performances varies each week. This week I'm doing 8/10 shows. 1 Tuesday, 2 Wednesday, 1 Thursday, 2 Friday and 2 Saturday. I've really got into the whole West End thing now. I really wanna do this when I'm older! I'm getting lessons starting September so let's hope that gets me somewhere! Yes, there is caffeine in Red Bull but most of it is carbonated water and sugars and carbs! about 0.02% is actually caffiene! I would eat a banana but they often make me feel sick! Haha!



No more Red Bull!! And I promise to be a bit more careful! You can tell me off if I do haha! Thank you so much everyone!



Regards,

x Leanne x Hellokitty x

Hi again. Those are super pictures and you have certainly got the looks to pursue a stage career, but it still worries me that you have been allowed to do so much work at your tender age. Do they realize how young you are I wonder? It is a full workload for a professional singer, let alone a fourteen year old untrained one. Do be careful you cannot replace your voice once it is damaged. At least not easily.

They encorudge (sp) us to do more because there's not enough kids to do it. They held two auditions and they've still not got enough! I get mega tired but It's worth it! I understand about the voice thing but I'm taking it easier now, mouthing the words or singing quietly. I've decided to join one of the local drama groups because one of the actors in the show started off in a small drama group in his hometown and he managed to get a scolarship to acting school at the age of 13! Now he's in the West End so here's hoping!

Just a thought - one of the biggest causes of exhaustion (aside from lack of sleeep) is dehydration. Are you drinking enough water? Can you keep a bottle of water in the wings when you're on stage? Are you drinking at very least your 8 pints, and probably a fair bit more, given how much physical exertion is required for a show?

Im not allowed to take the water on the side, but i drink lots of water before the show and suring the interval. I'll make sure i drink extra tonight and see if it makes a difference

Just a thought, I was once in a play where I had to where a furry costume and mask. It was sweltering on stage, so the producers made me drink Dioralyte so I didn't dehydrate.

As stage lights are hot, as well as the water, it may be an idea to drink a glass of dioralyte before you go on stage, a 500ml bottle of water in the interval, and a glass of dioralyte after the show. You need to keep the tissue salts high as well as keep hydrated.

This is so at odds with my mental image of you, jod. It had me in stitches. (Now wiping tea off computer monitor....)

I actually saw H whne he did it at the Hippodrome! I love Joseph, we did it as a school play and I was the baker!
I too want to do that when I'm older, maybe we'll star in Lés Miserables together one day! Haha! Well done all the same!

It was something a friend roped me into. According to the speech by the best man at our wedding, my husband married the nicest Orang-utan he'd met.

Oh the things you do for art. You see as a singer, I could ad real expression to Orang-utan noises. This friends wife even has me listed as "Mrs oook" on her mobile phone.

That sounds like one of Mr Pratchett's to me...you weren't the Librarian by any chance?

I was thinking the same Oook!

Yes indeed, I was the Librarian! I fitted do nicely into the costume, then to add to the heat, but also to the Librarian's distinguished nature, I had my degree gown over the top!

Weren't they making a film of a Terry Pratchett novel?