The Pitch Pipe - October 2008 - (Page 15) of my own, I was unable to completely transition my body clock to the new time zone. But by adjusting my bed time and wake time as well as my meal times by an hour each day for a week, I was pretty close to feeling normal upon arrival at my destination. PEARL #2: Packing for Success In addition to having all of the necessary items that every traveler needs, we singers need a little more. Not to mention room for the performance attire, accessories, stage makeup and music. For your carry-on, I recommend that the following go in your quart-sized clear zipper bag (to meet FAA regulations for safety). I call these my don’t-leave-home-without ‘ems: 1. For escaping the great-flying-dry-out, apply liberally every hour or so: a. Nasal Saline to keep nose moist and clear. b. Contact re-wetting drops (or regular eye-drops) to keep your eyes from drying out. c. Small tube or tub of petroleum jelly for lips, hands and dry skin. d. Bottled water. You must purchase a bottle of water at the airport (after clearing security) and keep this with you at your seat. Do not rely upon the flight attendant’s stash of water or you may be at the mercy of their rations of 8 oz. per customer. e. Nasal gel with zinc (like Zicam) or homeopathic nasal emollient that includes eucalyptus oil (the one I use was developed for astronauts and is called Ponaris) with plenty of cotton swabs for application. f. Avoid drying medications if at all possible. If you are a little congested, try a non-drying decongestant. If you have allergies, make sure that you have your medications on hand as your destination may require their use. 2. To avoid airplane germs: a. Fizzy vitamin supplement (use your bottle water for it, airplane faucet water is not potable) b. Antibacterial wipes or gel. I prefer the wipes so I can clean the arms of the seat, service buttons and tray table. 3. To stay comfortable in-flight and keep chills at bay: a. A thick pair of socks b. Travel pillow c. Throw or wrap to use as a blanket 4. Additional tips for voice preservation: a. Save your voice and avoid talking over the auxiliary noise of the aircraft’s engines. Headphones and/or a good book can save you from visiting too much with a talkative neighbor. b. Soft humming every so often during the flight can keep your voice warm while still resting it. c. Oil of oregano will keep a sore throat at bay. So will cayenne pepper and garlic in a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. You can buy both in little bottles with eye droppers from the natural foods store. PEARL #3: Upon Arrival 1. Keep drinking your water. I personally will only drink bottled water when I am on the road, because even though tap water is fine at home, it may not agree with your system in your new locale. 2. Vocalize for 10-15 minutes at the hotel. To dampen the sound you can use a folded towel or pillow just an inch or so in front of your face. Resist the temptation to overrehearse your music. This is a nervous habit for many singers that leads to major vocal fatigue before the big performance. Resist the temptation to overdo it. 3. To keep the air in your hotel room moist despite heavy air conditioning or heating, soak a washcloth or small towel with water and place it on a waterproof tray or in a small container (plastic is fine for a/c but not great for heat) as near to the vent as possible. It will evaporate and keep the air moist. Better yet, pick-up a small travel humidifier and use that instead. Just be sure to keep it extremely clean to avoid spreading spores or mold into the room. Another option is a portable steamer or hot pot that you can use to make steam, which will moisturize the air around you and also allow you to steam your throat, if necessary. 4. Keep the in-flight hydration routine going. Use your Neti pot or nasal saline regularly. Keep those antibacterial wipes handy for the hotel phone, TV remote and doorknobs. Take your vitamins. Eat healthy meals, avoid alcohol and caffeine, engage in some light activity or exercise, meditate and get to bed at a decent hour. 5. If you’re going out, wear gloves on public transportation and avoid spreading germs by not touching your face. Also, wear a scarf (lightweight in warm climates, heavier weight in cool climates) to use as a muffler or even to screen out smoke and pollution on the street. Too many people, all of this may all seem a little high-maintenance and slightly dramatic. But for those who rely solely upon their singing voice to pay the bills, it is purely selfpreservation. Of course, we are all different and your routine may differ slightly from mine, so be sure to check with your healthcare provider before incorporating any of these methods. The main key is to have a plan in place so that you stay hydrated and protect your voice, no matter what your circumstances while traveling may be. Stay healthy and sing pretty! (Lori Decter Wright is the Director of Education for Sweet Adelines International. Prior to assuming her role with the organization, she spent over a decade traveling the world as a professional opera singer and training singers of all ages as a music clinician and voice teacher in California. You may contact Lori directly at lori@sweetadelineintl.org.) October 2008 15
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