Ted Williams, the man dubbed as having a ‘golden voice,’ achieved overnight fame after a video of him begging at a Columbia street as he spoke to the uploader like a DJ went viral. Indeed, Williams was actually a former DJ at WKVO-AM station, which explains a great deal about how he expertly projects his voice and captivates peoples’ imagination. It was a great stroke of fate that he managed to keep his golden pipes in great shape even after admitting to once being a drunkard and taking illicit substances.
Now, everyone with a golden voice can’t be as lucky as Ted Williams, which is why it’s important to have the discipline to live a clean lifestyle and protect such a rare gift. If you happen to have a great voice, whether speaking or singing, then you should definitely do everything you can to protect that asset. Fortunately, there are some ways to do just that.
Aside from taking voice lessons in Boulder or any other location where you will learn how to sing properly to avoid straining your vocal cords, you could also heed these five tricks to maintain your great voice:
Drink plenty of water
It’s critical to keep yourself properly hydrated at all times, especially when you’re practicing for a performance or when you’re actually singing for an event. The golden rule for singers is to keep themselves hydrated with non-caffeinated drinks, preferably something that is room temperature. Drinking something cold prior to, during, and after performances is a complete no-no as it could negatively affect one’s voice.
Know how to warm up and cool down during each singing performance
Professional singers, announcers, and anyone using their voice for a living are known to always do a routine vocalization or warming up before they do their thing. It involves humming, warming up one’s facial muscles, and doing some tongue trills. This makes sense as the vocal cords, much like machines, also have to be prepped up before springing into action. And while it’s often missed out, cooling down is another excellent way of protecting one’s vocal cords.
Do proper singing techniques
If you’re a singer (amateur or professional), it’s vital to employ proper singing techniques to avoid damaging or straining your vocal cords. Among others, it requires doing proper breathing to have the energy to belt out challenging tunes without straining. You should also refrain from singing from your throat or when you’re already feeling some degree of pain. Straining is your body’s way of telling you to take a rest, so you better listen to it.
Have vocal naps (or rests)
This is particularly true if you’ve been talking or singing for extended periods. Taking vocal naps allows your vocal cords to recuperate from all the strains of belting out high notes or dishing out lengthy spiels. Ideally, you should do it after every event in which you obviously worked your vocal cords extensively.
Live a healthy lifestyle
Finally, you must strive to live a healthy lifestyle, which includes refraining from smoking or drinking, getting lots of sleep and rest, and eating a healthy and balanced diet. No matter how great your voice may be, you will surely lose it if you don’t practice discipline.
With these great tricks, keeping your great voice in perfect condition should be a walk in the park. You can expect to reap the benefits of your talent for longer.