View Full Version : Embarrasing situation
WARNING: If you are grossed out by the mention of nasal fluids, turn back now.
I play with an amateur band. Twice in recent memory (last night being the most recent), the same excruciating situation has happened to me. During the one song I front the band (I switch from mandolin to guitar and sing lead, everybody else drops out but the bass player except on the chorus), somewhere along about the last verse of the song my nose suddenly develops a drip. #
Geez! My hands are totally occupied and I can't turn my head and catch it on my sleeve, 'cause I'm singing straight through. So I'm playing and singing, trying not to look anybody in the eye for fear of grossing them out, and wondering how to abate the situation before gravity abates it for me. Sniffing does not work at this stage. #It actually draws unwanted attention to the matter.
I can't think of a good way out of this short of just stopping mid-song, apologizing for the interuption and blowing my nose (which I never thought of in my panic last night).
Jim Yates
Nov-03-2006, 2:01pm
Maybe you can make use of your nasal fluids. Our guitar player uses stuff called Gorilla Snot to help him hold onto the pick?
Roll your shoulder up against the nosril that is not running and exhale strongly through running nostril. You will probably want to turn your head to the side and down to keep from spraying yourself or anyone else. You can repeat this proceedure with the other shoulder/nostril if needed.
No hands are required, but it you may need to practice this a few times to keep from breaking rhythm while singing.
Try singing into your banjo players mic and if it has a wind screen, simply wipe your nose on it..
Repent34
Nov-03-2006, 3:20pm
looks like you haven't gotten a serious answer yet so I'll throw out a serious answer. How about using an antihistamine before the show to dry up your nasel passages?
chris
Wesley
Nov-03-2006, 3:32pm
I would think if you put your head back - you would almost stick your nose straight up in the air - and gave a good healthy sniff that the problem would work itself out.
Soupy1957
Nov-03-2006, 3:48pm
I think I'd snort it out on the front row crowd....they always bragged about having sweat dripped on them anyway, so they may not know the difference.
-Soupy1957
Repent34
Nov-03-2006, 4:01pm
I think I'd snort it out on the front row crowd....they always bragged about having sweat dripped on them anyway, so they may not know the difference.
-Soupy1957
just remember to provide the front row with plastic coverings in case another band member bought a watermelon.
jim simpson
Nov-03-2006, 4:17pm
That's what long sleeves are for. Green sleeves anyone?
jim_n_virginia
Nov-03-2006, 5:46pm
I sweat a lot especially if there are lights. I have learned to ALWAYS keep a hand towel back behind me on something.
If this happened to me onstage I would do my best to finish the the song and then walk back to my towel with my back to the crowd and pretend to wipe sweat off but I would wipe my nose and softly blow into it, softly being the key word.
Just don't forget later when you are sweating and wipe your face with the contaminated side! EWWWW!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
fredfrank
Nov-03-2006, 5:49pm
looks like you haven't gotten a serious answer yet so I'll throw out a serious answer. #
I thought the one about using the banjo player's mic was serious. That's what I do, anyway.
Dale Ludewig
Nov-03-2006, 5:55pm
I'm with Repent34- take an antihistamine (non-drowsy would probably be best) before you go to play. Or go have a couple drags on a cigarette (I know that's not healthy or socially appropriate these days, but it does seem to dry up your sinuses).
Repent34
Nov-04-2006, 5:00pm
looks like you haven't gotten a serious answer yet so I'll throw out a serious answer.
I thought the one about using the banjo player's mic was serious. That's what I do, anyway.
well ok, you did mention it was the banjo players mike....
Bobbie Dier
Nov-04-2006, 5:37pm
wsm Dan Cole,
That was hilarious! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Greenmando
Nov-04-2006, 9:09pm
If you were playing a b**jo the nasal drip is expected.
Dave Schimming
Nov-05-2006, 5:41pm
What about mouth drool?
Bob Simmers
Nov-06-2006, 7:43am
I recommend a beard, and keep your head balanced so it runs even on both sides of your mouth. If your beard is gray you might want some chew to darken it up a little. This advice is not copyrighted, so feel free to publish.
Wear one of those harmonica neck braces and load it up with tissues.
I don't' know if there IS a serious solution, but I sure have enjoyed providing you yuksters with something to do. #I like the one about the banjo player's mic the best (I won't mention what the banjo player actually suggested).
I don't have a cold, it is just that cool weather provokes a little drip. #Surely I'm not the only one who has ever experienced this at a bad time.
Randy
Nov-06-2006, 10:59am
I play almost every week during church services, on mando, guitar or keyboard and have had the occasion where the sinuses start to run. Knowing that this may be a problem, I always blow it out prior to playing and if it starts to flow again during the song, I'll inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. This is only good for playing and not singing.
Of course if your nose runs and your feet smell, you're built upside down.
Santiago
Nov-06-2006, 11:27am
I agree with the antihistamine comment, but I would just take a decongestant like Pseudaphedrine.
kudzugypsy
Nov-06-2006, 12:16pm
i swallowed a knat one time while singing - just have to cough it out and make the best by adding some humour - every good band i've been in has an emergency mode when things get crazy, either by a broken string, feedback, lost words, wrong key, bad harmony part, drunks, etc -- thats what separates the pros from the amatures. the show must go on.
some people are amazed at the stuff that happens on stage and a good set of professionals will just blow it off and get on with the show.
MikeVB
Nov-06-2006, 12:49pm
I had a similar thing happen to me a month or so ago, but in reverse.
I was singing an original in my first ever guitar/songwriter's pull with some hero-level writers present, such as Larry Cordle and John Pennell. Right in mid-sentence I was singing along and........PLOP!!!! I felt the biggest glob of rubberized snot let go in my sinuses and fall down the back of my throat. Luckily it hit the bottom about the time I could pause and swaller, and I didn't miss a lick or one bad note!
Funny thing is I'd just told the crowd at a songwriter showcase earlier that afternoon that some songs you have to just beat out over time like a blacksmith, but other ones just pop right out of your head. I even stuck my finger in my mouth and made that POP! sound while saying you could actually hear some songs when they'd squeeze out past your sinuses.
The show must go on!
Bobbie Dier
Nov-06-2006, 12:55pm
I've had about 25 mosquitos biting me while playing a show. Man that is distracting. Ya can't spray repellant on either. I hate mosquitos.
You could "Lick your lips" in between lines but go a little high and take care of the problem.
Repent34
Nov-06-2006, 10:42pm
You could "Lick your lips" in between lines but go a little high and take care of the problem.
now that's just plain wrong. wrong I tell ya!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif