You have read the title. Well, should you practice? It depends. In what situations should/could you practice when you aren’t at your best? As you may have guessed, I have a cold right now, so this is a special side post that I would only do if I was actually sick (and I thought about doing it in August when I had a cold, too, but decided against it).
1. When you have a minor cold and are able to practice.
2. When you have a concert coming up that you need to attend and you don’t have a fever and/or you aren’t contagious.
3. If you can handle it and you don’t think you are overdoing it.
4. If you’re not feeling bad enough to do some light warm-ups and maybe a song or two.
When you cannot/should not practice:
1. If you feel so bad that you can’t sit up or get off the couch or out of bed.
2. When you have a stomach bug/the flu (unless you absolutely must practice; take it very easy and don’t practice for long. Five minutes will be plenty if you have a stomach bug and must keep a trash can handy, but if it is not mandatory in general, take a break).
3. When you have a breathing issue/extreme pain (excessively stuffy, Pneumonia, migraine, etc).
4. When your voice feels like it is going to give out and/or if you lose your voice completely.
If you absolutely have to suffer through a concert, do your best, even though you may not feel your best. If your practice is not urgent, get some rest, drink lots of water, and eat healthy food (if you still have an appetite). If you are sick right now, I hope that you feel better soon!
Cover and Post photos by Polina Tankilevitch
The Happy Musician 
Leave a comment