The Intelligent Vocalist

There is only so much we can read and study about a physical skill. At some point, you need to establish the sensations and balances in your nervous system and awareness. In this episode, John discusses the need to experience singing and performance at higher and higher skill levels and establish a path of continuous improvement.

Change is inevitable but rarely easy. In our current turbulent times, change is accelerating at a breakneck and often frightening pace. In this episode, John discusses how change can be positive and how to start creating future singing success.

In Part II of John's interview with Steve Giles and Chris Johnson of the Naked Vocalist Podcast, they discuss the ultimate question: "What's the secret of singing?"  

Steve Giles and Chris Johnson of the Naked Vocalist Podcast are two of the world's leading contemporary voice teachers. In Part I of a two-part interview, John talks with Steve and Chris about what they currently find most exciting in the world of voice and how to have successful online lessons. Episode Links: The Naked Vocalist Website

The pandemic has allowed some industries to thrive while nearly wiping out others. Performance has been hit especially hard, creating a long struggle for singers. In this episode, John talks with performance anxiety coach and mental health professional, Ingela Onstad. Ingela discusses the stresses singers have been dealing with and how to stay focused, motivated, and ready to hit the stage when pe...

As you progress in your singing, you will likely start to interact with better musicians. Higher-level musicians will listen to and interact with you differently than novice players. At the same time, you will need to respond to these musicians on a deeper level. In this episode, John discusses how to listen and respond to great players and suggests two classic recordings to help develop your list...

Our current world has many of us retreating to us vs. them, binary thinking. This attitude can creep into our views of singing and technique, which can blind us to other helpful methods and views. In this episode, John explores the problems of binary thinking and why the ideas of "one true technique" are misguided and harmful for singers.

Kristian Lavercombe has starred in major productions from Urinetown to Jesus Christ Superstar, but he is best known for playing Riff Raff in the Rocky Horror Show. Kristian holds the world record at over eighteen hundred performances. In this episode, John and Kristian discuss his successful career and his best advice for singers looking to work in musical theatre. Plus, Kristian tells the best op...

Vocal technique is a vital skill, but it can also become a trap, leaving singers frustrated and less connected with their performances. In this episode, John discusses getting beyond technique to the highest level of singing - selfless communication and connection.  

You can have all the vocal technique in the world, but if you can't conquer your mental fears and roadblocks, you will struggle to perform at your best. Becky Gilhespie, a leading voice teacher in London, and now Australia, has published a new book, Singing for the Self-Conscious , to help singers breakthrough their mental hurdles. In this episode, John and Becky discuss the everyday mental strugg...

The current challenges we face have been incredibly disruptive for musicians and creatives. Projects, goals, and livelihoods have been displaced, creating untold amounts of stress and worries of the future. In this episode, John discusses how to navigate these difficult times and how a cable TV show about restoring cabins has helped him find a positive mental space.

Singing is full of little interrupters, changes in pitch, vowels, or consonants that can throw you off balance and into vocal tension. By utilizing legato to smooth out your singing, you can diminish these interruptions and stay locked-in to your vocal sweet spots. In this episode, John discusses legato and how to practice and employ this concept in your own singing. EPISODE LINKS Beginning Singin...

No matter your level of experience, it's always a good idea to revisit the fundamentals. In this episode, John discusses his brand new book, Beginning Singing, and his approach to the fundamentals for beginners as well as advanced singers. EPISODE LINKS Beginning Singing Book

With most high-level skills, the better you get, the harder it can seem to improve. In this episode, John discusses what to expect as you become more advanced and how to push through the inevitable rough patches to come. EPISODE LINKS Beginning Singing Book

In her book, The Biggest Bluff, author, and psychologist Maria Konnikova takes a year off from writing to learn poker. In 12 short months, she goes from complete novice to tournament champion. Maria learns that poker is an almost perfect vehicle for learning how to make correct life decisions, and how to deal with the swings of luck we all experience. In this episode, John discusses how to deal wi...

There are so many decisions that go into a creative project. Knowing when something is good enough without getting stuck in the perfectionist trap can be incredibly hard to discern. In this episode, John discusses his journey to find the right cover for his latest book, and the creative struggles and decisions he dealt with. EPISODE LINKS: Cover Examples  

When tackling a larger project, such as writing a song or reaching a vocal goal, it is all too easy to falter just before the finish line. After the initial inspiration wears off, it requires a level of sticktoitiveness to push through and see the goal to completion.  In this episode, John discusses the mental roadblocks to finishing large projects and what to do to get over the hump and get it do...

There can be two planes of focus when singing. The inner is on physical adjustments - the breath, vocal fold resistance, etc. Outer focus is on the results - a brighter sound, feeling the tone more forward, etc. In this episode, John discusses the difference between both types of focus and how to balance them in your practice and performance.  

Great singers are a fantastic source of inspiration, but the temptation to copy them can leave our singing struggling for originality. In this episode, John discusses how to breakdown your favorite vocal performances to create your unique style.

Singing, performing, and auditioning can be stressful, filling the mind with doubt and fear. Annie Little is an experienced actress and voice teacher who has been using guided meditations to help her students overcome anxiety and to find a calm mental space in which to learn and sing. EPISODE LINKS Annie's Website

Goals can give us focus and direction, but they can also cause us to miss new paths and opportunities. In this episode, John discusses why goals can be an illusion, how we never land on our perfect life or career, and why artists should embrace constant change.

RAab Stevenson is a first call voice teacher for superstars. His client list includes Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Dave Matthews, Kelly Clarkson, and Pharrell Williams. In this episode, RAab shares his stories of hard work and dedication, and what it takes to be a successful performer. EPISODE LINKS RAab's Website

These days, it's all too easy to be negative. We end up focusing on the impacts of the pandemic and what we don't want from our future. In this episode, John discusses how to reframe the current situation and to find and achieve what you want as a singer and performer.

The global pandemic has stopped all live performance and in-person lessons for the time being. How soon can we get back to singing with and for others in a communal setting? Unfortunately, for singers, the news is not encouraging. In this episode, John discusses the latest information regarding COVID-19 and singing and the realities of moving forward as vocal performers. EPISODE LINKS: NATS Chat -...

The voice is a difficult instrument to control. One of the main ways we interact with our voice is through sensation. However, the sensations of singing are often misleading and can differ from singer to singer. In this episode, John discusses how to catalog the varying sensations of singing to help improve consistency and confidence.