The Intelligent Vocalist

Learning any new skill can be daunting, but the voice has levels of complexity that make it a unique challenge. The fine-tuning and coordination of muscles and energies we scarcely feel (or feel in illusory ways) can confuse and discourage the beginning singer (as well as the more experienced). In this episode, John breaks down the difficulties of learning to sing, both technical and mental, and g...

We all have bad days as singers. We can even have extended periods of voice issues that seem never to end. These setbacks can create feelings of discouragement that pull us from the path of improvement. In this episode, John discusses how to bounce back from these difficult days and how you can quickly get back on track to achieving your vocal goals.  

Most human endeavors have an element of competition to them, and music is no different. The problem is when competition between singers turns toxic, it can be a discouraging situation. In this episode, John looks at how to use competition to your benefit, and how to move towards a higher level of competition with yourself, to help push you to new artistic heights.

Your voice will change dramatically from birth to old age. What can you expect during these different periods? Can you sing well your entire life? In this episode, John takes you through the how and why of your changing voice and gives you tips for staying healthy throughout your vocal lifetime.

It is a common question for singers (and all creatives) - do I have what it takes? But is this even the question to ask? And if asked, who is to answer? In this episode, John looks at this fundamental struggle of self-doubt and how it impacts you, the singer.

One of the best compliments you can give a musician is to say he or she has "big ears." This means an ability to hear music at a deep level. Singing is a skill that requires so much attention that the ability to focus on the music around us is often diminished. In this episode, John gives some simple exercises to increase your focus and ability to listen on a deeper level.

The tonal variations and shades of a musical instrument (such as the guitar) are nearly infinite. From the choice of woods, to strings, to the musician's approach, each element helps create a rainbow of sound variations. Singers have their own infinite color choices, and vowel shadings are a significant source of variations for musical expression. In this episode, John discusses how to think of an...

The mind is a stimulus-seeking machine, which creates opportunities to be constantly distracted.  Technology, especially social media is engineered to take advantage of our increasingly short attention spans. The problem is, the work we singers seek to do takes a great deal of focus and awareness. In this episode, John discusses the problems of distraction and how to find your focus in an increasi...

Great singers have a uniqueness that makes them rare and special. But they also have traits in common that help fuel their greatness. In this episode, John discusses these traits so many leading singers have cultivated and developed in their musical lives to lift themselves above the pack. These traits are: Consistency Self-Awareness Kinesthetic Awareness Attention to Detail A Story to Tell Humili...

It all starts with sound, however, few singers understand the nature of sound and the importance of creating balanced sound waves. In this episode, John breaks down how sound works and the differences in balanced and unbalanced sound waves. SHOW LINKS: January Voice Challenge

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change - sage advice through the ages, but often ignored by singers. The beauty of singing is it is a discipline of continuous improvement and discovery. But there are also limitations in each of our voices, limitations that should be accepted so we can focus on what we can change and improve. By focusing on our strengths and accepting our weaknes...

Bad habits are easy to form but hard to live with. Good habits are hard to form but easy to live with. Your current level of singing ability is the culmination of your daily work habits and routines and while every voice can improve, not all of us have formed the habits to make consistent improvement. In this episode, John discusses the importance of habit and consistency for your voice and music...

2018 was a year of continued advances in singing science and the influence of media savvy voice teachers. In this year-end wrap-up, John looks at some key areas of voice and discusses the current state of singing and teaching.

Health is extremely important for the singer and performer, as our body is our instrument. In this follow-up episode, John continues his discussion of losing a large amount of weight in a short period of time, with the help of scientist Ray Cronise.

Food is everpresent in our lives and is part of a large percentage of our social interactions. The trap of hyper-palatable, calorically dense foods is creating a global health crisis of obesity and overnutrition. The singer's instrument is their body and vocal, as well as full-body health, should be a priority. In this episode, John discusses his looming health crisis and how he was able to lose 1...

The piano is the perfect instrument for developing a greater understanding of music. Having basic piano skills can help you be a better voice teacher, but it can also help you as a singer, making your practice sessions more efficient and helping you learn songs quicker. In this episode, John discusses the benefits of learning piano and gives some quick tips on understanding basic keys and common c...

Life can be hectic and unpredictable and our vocal practice can often fall by the wayside. "Working in the margins" is an idea John learned from a client who is also a bestselling author. He utilizes this concept to stay prolific in his output while maintaining a rigorous performing schedule. John has adopted the idea and applied it to vocal practice and growth, which he shares in this episode. SH...

Breathy singing can be a useful vocal color, but it is often overused or not in the singer's control. Even worse is when the singer is unable to get out of a chronically breathy condition. In this episode, John gives some tips and exercises to help overcome an overly-breathy voice.

"I feel like I'm singing from my throat." "My voice is stuck in my throat." Singers complain of feeling like their voice is trapped in their throat, unable to break free and soar. But if your vocal cords are in your throat, shouldn't your voice be there? How can you be stuck? In this episode, John looks at this common singing complaint, breaks down what is happening, both physically and acoustical...

Words have meaning, but they also have sounds. Inside of each word are musical colors, textures, and rhythms just waiting to be brought to life by the singer. In this episode, John discusses a deeper way to look at language and how to add this new layer of depth and complexity to your singing.

"What should I think about?" This is often a hard question to answer when working on your voice. There are so many different variables going on during a practice session and our focus can feel divided and erratic. In this episode, John discusses developing a fruitful mindset and focus. Use the power of awareness and attention to sing better! Show Links: Sam Harris Waking Up App

We all want to avoid mistakes, especially when singing. Who wants to sound terrible? Yet mistakes are one of the best ways to learn, providing you use them to your benefit. In this episode, John discusses why making mistakes is all a part of the learning process and the problems with trying to avoid them.

Few singers reach their full potential. Often, singers will raise their skill level to the demands of their current situation, but not much more. John will ask his advanced students "how good do you want to be?" This question is intended to inspire, to make the serious student think about possibilities and the level of commitment required. This episode is for singers who want to explore growth and...

A great vocal can be magic. It is the essential element to creating hit songs and classics that are listened to for generations. There are vital elements the singer needs to bring together for a vocal to work on the highest levels. In this episode, John breaks down these essential parts and explains what you need to do to raise your recorded vocal to a top-level performance. Episode Links: Episode...

Proper vocal exercises are a lifesaver for the singer. A vocal exercise can diminish certain difficulty levels when warming up or trying to gain new levels of skill. Unfinished sounds can be particularly useful when used correctly. These exercises can make specific tasks such as extending range or finding balance through difficult vocal transitions much more accessible. However, there is often a t...