Alternatives to clearing throat

twelvedesign

From what I read on the forums clearing throat doing ahem is taxing on the cords. What are the better alternatives? Looking for things that can be done not in a rehearsal room, but in the office full of people

highmtn

I don't know about in an office full of people, but Ken says to just sing it off the cords during your warmups. So if you want to do your warmups in front of the office gang, sing away.

You could speak it off, but that can sound a little rude or crude. When possible avoid coughing, because that's even worse than "ahem" as far as wear and tear on your voice. Swallowing can sometimes pull gunk off, too.

When you clear your throat, that gack ends up being swallowed unless you find a spitoon. It goes down your esophagus and is dealt with there, which is better than being in your trachea and messing with your lungs and vocal cords.

It's hard to resist clearing your throat when you feel that tickle. Perhaps you can hum lightly and secretly hum it off, without everyone thinking you are crazy.