The Intelligent Vocalist

Taking risks is part of the creative process (and life) but there may be those in your life who are stopping you from moving forward. Not needing permission is a theme social media expert Gary Vaynerchuk speaks about often - and this attitude is vital if you want to have a career as a singer or voice teacher. In this episode, John talks about why you need to develop a resolve against those who pla...

Singing terms such as "pulled chest" or "mix" can certainly cause confusion. Not only are the terms imperfect descriptions of what is occurring in the voice, they also mean different things depending on the teacher or singer. In this episode, John explains where some of the more popular terms come from and how to understand the various possible meanings.  

There are many criteria to use in selecting a voice teacher, a great singing voice is an obvious metric to use. There are those who argue singing well is the ONLY criteria for choosing a voice teacher. However, the reality doesn't always match up to conventional wisdom. In this episode, John discusses teaching versus "doing" and why a teacher with vocal struggles may be a more effective educator....

Just the mention of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor (ENT) can strike terror in the hearts (and throats of singers). However, a good ENT can be your voice's best friend. In this episode, John covers what to look for in choosing an ENT, when you should go, what to expect, and the main vocal issues you may encounter. This episode is essential for all professional voice users. SHOW LINKS: Dr. Reena G...

Semi-occluded Vocal Tract Exercises are not some strange ritual being practiced on a commune in Oregon - no, they are perhaps one of the best and most foolproof ways to get your voice working correctly. Semi-occluded (partially blocked) vocal sounds create healthy backpressure in the voice, which presses down and helps the vocal cords align properly and hold back the air to produce great sounding...

The creative mind can be a challenge to manage. We are constantly bombarded with new thoughts and ideas which can lead to overwhelm and project paralysis. In this episode, John shares how the power of habit can fuel you to greater success in your singing and musical endeavors. SHOW LINKS BestSelf Journal SHOW TRANSCRIPT (coming soon)  

Teaching yourself to sing can be a confusing and frustrating experience. For various reasons, singers will try and go it alone, and while not often the best option there are ways to make the process more efficient and effective. In this episode, John gives his Teaching Triangle, the method he uses to stay on track when working with a student or practicing his own singing. SHOW LINKS For those of y...

Theoretical Physicist, David Deutsch breaks all goals into two steps. 1. It must be achievable according to the physical laws of the universe. 2. If it is possible, then it is merely a matter of acquiring the knowledge necessary to achieve it. It is not a time or resources problem - it is a knowledge problem. You can achieve almost anything if you have the right knowledge. In this episode, John br...

We all hear about vocal health, vocal rest, proper technique. But what about your overall health? Is this something you have been ignoring? Is it something you are beginning to worry about? In this episode, John looks at his own health journey and what it has meant to him as a teacher and content creator. Better health does indeed equal better singing.

Humble thyself! Yep, it turns out ego and confidence not only makes you unpleasant on social media, but it can also slow your progress and learning. In this episode, John looks at how adopting intellectual humility and a growth mindset can be critical in rapid growth as a singer, voice teacher, musician, and yes, human being. Links mentioned in this episode: The Benefits of Admitting When You Don'...

Mix is an often misunderstood term (as are most in singing). Singers often refer to mix as "something less than belt," but in this episode, John discusses how to take your mix into the world of intense belting without the usual vocal fatigue and danger. The acoustics of mix are incredibly fascinating and open up an understanding of a wide range of contemporary vocal possibilities. Episode Links: K...

Drop your jaw! If you take voice lessons you have no doubt heard this command. You have even likely felt the beneficial effects of doing the jaw drop. Why does dropping the jaw help? And why do we often resist doing it? In this episode, John looks at the acoustic science behind dropping your jaw and why it is critical to vocal balance in the upper register. He also digs into why singers resist thi...

We all know the feeling. Our voice sounds great in the practice room, only to fall apart when we go to sing in front of others. How can we get the same confidence we feel when singing alone? How can we sing like no one's listening? This question comes from a listener of the podcast, and John gives his unique perspective on having a fearless mindset. The greatest gift of singing is in the sharing. ...

When you think of singers, Elon Musk usually does not come to mind.  That's because Elon doesn't sing, at least not publicly. But the trailblazing founder of Tesla and Space X does do something amazingly well that we singers can learn from. Elon is able to break complex systems down to the most basic level, and then rebuild the system. We can apply this same thinking to our singing, working on voc...

Fergie recently got roasted for her performance of the National Anthem, setting off a social media frenzy of gleeful attacks. The fear is singers watching this will be afraid to take artistic risks as they could suffer the same fate. In this podcast, John gives an important pep talk on artistic courage and dealing with the inevitable haters and criticism. A must listen for all singers and artists....

Skilled, in-demand voice teachers see a high number of voice students in a given week, all vying for their attention. With an extensive roster of students, there will always be those that make the teacher's job just a little harder - don't be that student! By being respectful of your teacher's time and policies, and by showing up ready to work, you can become the student every voice teacher loves...

"Trust, but verify" might come from Ronald Reagan era but it is certainly applicable today. The internet is a wonderful explosion of knowledge, and singing is no exception.  The disruptive force of online content means anyone with a microphone has access to billions of followers - which is good....and bad. In this episode, John talks about the problems of simply trusting singing teachers because t...

Studying your craft is critical to master your singing. But when does study become a crutch or avoidance mechanism? Fear of failure. Fear of judgment. These can be crippling. Yet if we don't embrace fear and criticism our singing will likely never reach its full potential. In this episode, John explores why you need to get out of the practice room and out of your comfort zones. True artistry must...

The optimal positioning of the larynx is a subject that can certainly keep voice teachers debating. Some feel a low larynx is optimal, while others will argue for a raised position. This can lead to confusion amongst singers, as well as voice teachers. In this episode, John looks at the larynx from an acoustic as well as a singing muscle point of view and discusses options and best practices for s...

Have you ever thought about teaching voice, but are intimated? In this episode John talks about the joys of a teaching career, and how you can get started on your path. Teaching voice is incredibly rewarding, and can provide a career full of music. This episode is perfect if you want to get started, but don't know how.

A career in the entertainment business takes enormous dedication. You are competing against the best in the world and you need to bring your absolute best to the table. Dedication and hard work are essential.  Without them, your chances of success are almost nonexistent. In this episode, John gives his best advice about what it takes to have a career in music. Highly recommended listening for anyo...

The vocal break is the dreaded part of the voice that keeps voice teachers in business. The break is the number issue most singers deal with. If you hit this area too hard you jam up, not hard enough and you fall apart. Why does this happen and what to do about it? In this episode, John dives deeper into this most tricky vocal area and gives you some quick tips and tricks to develop the necessary...

Singing is a high-level art form that takes an incredible amount of skill and artistry. As a student of singing your work is truly never done. But are you really doing the hard work? In this episode, John delves into the idea of "deep work" and how to use uninterrupted focus and intensity to supercharge your musical development. If you want to take your singing and musical skills to greater height...

Many in the vocal community are talking about Adele and the recent cancellation of the final nights of her tour. The pressures and demands of a career can take a toll on an artist, and it's something professional singers often find themselves worrying about. There is also the pressure to deliver performances that move and excite audiences, sometimes at the expense of vocal health. In this episode...

The music of the voice is in the vowel, and therein lies a great key to singing. Understanding how to approach vowels is critical for singing, not only for technical mastery, but also vocal color and nuance. However, the vowels you want for singing can be very different from the vowel sounds you commonly use for speaking. In this podcast John delves into vowel perception, and how the listener actu...