We have previously written about vocal issues for auctioneers including:
Auctioneer voice care: https://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/auctioneer-voice-care/
Insurance for your bid calling: https://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/insurance-for-your-bid-calling-ability/
Six vocal cord myths: https://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2017/05/03/six-auctioneer-vocal-cord-myths/
Cold weather bid calling: https://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2018/11/16/cold-weather-bid-calling/
Today’s question we address is: “Should auctioneers warm up their voices prior?” … to bid calling? The answer to that question is — generally — yes.
The focal “folds” or cords are two bands of elastic muscle tissue. Similar to any muscle in the body, it is advisable to gradually work these muscles up to peak performance. So, how do auctioneers best do that?
After sustained vocal rest, and before bid calling, auctioneers should warm up their voices. Breathing in through the mouth and out the nose can be a good start. Low volume (and then increasing) humming can help to give the vocal cords an initial workout.
After that, low volume — short spurts — of bid calling is usually beneficial. For most auctioneers thereafter they are adequately prepared to bid call at a high level. For some auctioneers the “opening announcements” can give the auctioneer additional warm up time.
Not warming up sufficiently can lead to vocal cord damage — and in some cases irreparable harm. For medical assistance, any number of cities have specialists in laryngology such as the Cleveland Clinic.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, CAS, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, RES Auction Services and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. He serves as Distinguished Faculty at Hondros College, Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School, an Instructor at the National Auctioneers Association’s Designation Academy and America’s Auction Academy. He is faculty at the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University and is approved by the The Supreme Court of Ohio for attorney education.
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