Hot Chocolate Chords

Hot Chocolate Chords
Hot Chocolate and Tired Vocal Chords?

Can Hot Chocolate after practice help soothe my vocal chords?
I have a performance in 3 weeks

Hot Chocolate isn't the best solution. And PLEASE don't believe the comment that mucus is good on the vocal chords! There is nothing soothing about mucus hanging and engulfing your throat. It is uncomfortable and never good for you singing wise or speaking wise.

As far as the milk issue, that truly depends on the PERSON. Not all singers are affected by milk. Some singers, like me, can have milk products as long as it is low fat or skim milk products. Then there are those who produce too much mucus after drinking or eating any milk product. Then there are those, singers that I work with, who could eat all the fattening cheese and drink whole milk all day and not be vocally affected by it. That just depends on the person. Experiment for yourself and see if the milk in the product bothers you. Hot chocolate never bothered me vocally unless it was made with actual fatty milk. If it was made with water and the dry ingredient, it didn't develop mucus on my chords. Now a milkshake from McDonalds, for me, thats another story! For you, it might not be. That is an individual issue, not an across the human board issue.

Anything warm TEMPORARILY gives relief to the throat. Same as spicy foods. However, there are products that work better for you vocally. Throat Coat tea is indeed the most soothing to the throat, and many professional singers drink this on a regular basis. My singer friend has called it her saving grace. It doesn't have high levels of caffeine in it, and there are herbs specifically in the tea bags to soothe the throat area. When I have to sing over horrible colds for my job, that is the first thing I drink. Also, include honey in your warm drinks instead of sugar. Honey is a natural soothing substance, and again...its natural. Natural is best for vocalists.

Don't fall into the wives tales about what works and doesn't work for you eating and drinking wise. As long as you aren't drinking lots of alcohol and if it doesn't affect YOUR body, you should be fine. But if you want what is best, stick to the Throat Coat. You can purchase this in your grocery store in the natural food section/ medicine section. Have fun singing!

Hot Chocolate by a Warm Fireplace (original)