If you have ever wondered if a singer can or should drink cold water, then the simple answer is Yes, a singer can drink cold water and it will not have any effect on their vocal cords
As a singer drinking cold water long term will not affect your voice or make it sound bad
The whole idea behind singing is to ensure that your vocal cords and the muscles surrounding them are loose as possible
And the one thing that can help you achieve this is hydration, so drink as much water as possible whether hot, cold or room temperature.
One thing that I will recommend is that if you get thirsty just before singing or while singing then stick to drinking room temperature water
The simple reason for this is that when your muscles get cold, they contract
And this contraction can lead to tension, as such drinking cold water just before you start singing or while singing will cause your vocals to be off and sound bad.
Is Hot Water Good for your singing voice?
Like i mentioned above, it really does not matter what temperature of water you take as a singer
Just make sure you take a lot to keep your vocal cords hydrated and free from mucous
One thing you need to know is that hot fluids increase mucus that lines the pharynx which can then affect the tone of your voice.
Also if you constantly drink or swallow hot fluids it can cause inflammation which will likely increase the sensitivity and make your singing very difficult and uncomfortable
Lastly if the fluid you drink is around 65 degree celsius or above, then you run the risk of hurting or damaging your vocal cords which most times you might not feel immediately.
Does cold water make your voice deeper?
Another misconception which I see being thrown around these days is that drinking cold water will make your voice deeper
I say nonsense as this is not true and definitely does not work
Here is what happens instead, because the depth of your voice effectively comes from the size and tension of your vocal cords, you need to keep your vocal cords hydrated
Hydrated vocal cords are bigger and therefore result in a lower note which might sound deep and very bass-like to some people
Also you want to note that warm water is actually a better option for doing this as cold water can cause your vocal cords to constrict which tenses up your sound.
Related: Check out this article I wrote asking does smoking make your voice deeper?
Best drink for your singing voice
As a singer, there are some foods or drinks that you can take to hydrate your vocal cords.
Taking these drinks will definitely help you sing better and improve your chances of being a better singer
The best foods before singing are foods that hydrate your voice or are rich in protein. Singers should never stuff themselves before a performance and should avoid foods that are rich in dairy or hot spice.
The best drinks before singing are warm drinks without caffeine or milk.
We’ve put together an amazing list of foods and drinks that can soothe your voice before singing, including quick snacks and remedies for a sore throat.
Eating the best foods and knowing what to drink to have a good singing voice can help you improve before you get on stage.
- Warm water
- Herbal teas
- Manuka honey
- Lemon
- Ginger
- Cucumber
- Watermelon
- Salads
- Fresh fruit
- Chicken
- Fish
- Turkey
- Kidney Beans
What do singers gargle with?
One thing that singers do very well is to gargle
According to the dictionary to gargle means to wash one’s mouth with a liquid that is kept in motion by breathing through it with a gurgling sound.
As singers, the best option to gargle with is warm salt water.
Gargle with warm salt water for 30 seconds before every rehearsal, singing lesson, performance, and recording.
Even better, make a cup of Throat Coat tea, pour a bit into another cup, add some salt, and gargle with that!
The benefits are that it keeps your voice hydrated and removes mucus from your vocal cords.
This helps you sing better and also ensures that your vocal delivery is on point.
The most important thing we can consume to improve vocal health is water.
Staying hydrated helps your body produce thin, watery mucus.
Your vocal cords vibrate more than 100 times a second when you speak, and they need that mucus to help them stay lubricated.
We recommend drinking 64 ounces of water each day.
Summary
In conclusion, I think the argument on whether a singer can drink hot, cold or room temperature water is pointless
As a singer you definitely want to drink a lot of fluids and water so you can stay hydrated and avoid the build up of mucus on your vocal cords.
So the next time you ever wonder if a singer can drink cold water, the answer is absolutely yes.
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