The Intelligent Vocalist

In this episode, John talks about how experienced singers choose a voice teacher.  Episode Highlights: What experienced singers and teachers do when they're looking for lessons Finding a teacher for your vocal needs Having clear and precise directives The importance of improvement What do we look for in a voice teacher To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, online courses, Vocal A...

In this episode, John talks about the Singing Hero's Journey and the exploration of becoming the best version of yourself. Episode Highlights: Power of the hero's journey myth  Why the Voice is different from all other instruments Developing the discipline to reflect and use deliberate practice properly. Find a guide for your story. To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, online co...

In this episode, John talks about the importance of physical movement to improve your singing voice. Episode Highlights: Nature and Time are working against you and your singing Movement can create positive (or negative changes)  Balancing the connection with your mind and body Recommended exercises for singers to improve singing To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line cour...

In this episode, John reminds us to be open minded and find something of value to learn from the world of Voice Teachers.  Episode Highlights: Avoid dismissive or myth debunking styles of teaching Let your Voice Teacher be your vocal tour guide  Keep a "beginners open mind" Invest in your "singing self" The importance of Trust But Verify To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, on-l...

In this episode, John talks with professional vocalist Tessa Smith about the reasons we need to warm up. Episode Highlights: Why we need to warm up  Importance of mirror work  Silent singing and getting in touch internal sensations Structuring mental preparation before a performance To learn more about Tessa Smith, visit: https://www.tessasmith.com/     To learn more about John Henny, his best-sel...

In this episode, John talks with professional learning coach Gregg Goodhart about the real purpose of practicing. Episode Highlights: Practicing as a solution to problems  How we truly deliberately practice Engaging the part of the brain that orients selective attention  Slowing down and learning to deal with discomfort How solving problems with grows your mental model Refraining from the way we t...

In this episode, John discusses how to go deeper into vocal registration to fine-tune your vocal balance. Episode Highlights: The essential differences between "similar" and "same" Refining your registers How to experience micro-registration To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, John's Singing School, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John discusses how to break out of ruts and routines with our singing and practice.   Episode Highlights: Reconnecting your mind and body Finding and embracing issues Building focus To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks with professional vocalist Nad Sylvan, who is currently singing on tour in "Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited." John and Nad discuss how to maintain top vocal condition when delivering world-class performances night after night.   Episode Highlights: Nad talks about how he maintains a healthy voice during a demanding tour schedule How breath support and controlling abdome...

In this episode, John talks with professional vocalist and voice-over artist Liz Hill about navigating session work and how to work with producers.  Episode Highlights: Challenges that can come up when working with producers, and the importance of clear communication Liz talks about how she got her start being a demo singer, and how singers need to have boundaries around their vocal health, time,...

In this episode, John talks with author and voice teacher Becky Gilhespie about the terms Creak, Cry, Tilt, Twang, and Sob, and why you need to know what these are.  Episode Highlights:  How using different postures of the voice can boost frequencies  Vocal fry and how it is similar to "creak" How to feel where the vocal fold muscles are to be able to fine-tune the voice "Cry" and how it can add s...

In this episode, John talks about the importance of taking the knowledge and theory you have learned and putting it into practice in various settings, not just in the rehearsal studio.  Episode Highlights: You must "experience" the theory learned to truly understand how to apply it in all settings Some singing methods or terms can be a trap The importance of connecting with your voice teacher We a...

In this episode, John talks with Mindset Coach, Creativity Counsellor, Holistic Hypnotherapist, and Author Elisa Di Napoli about combining scientific and holistic approaches to managing stage fright.  Episode Highlights: Elisa talks about how her passion for both music and psychology inspired her to become a Mindset Coach Hypnosis explained, and how it can be a tool to help with stage fright What...

In this episode, John talks about why you and you alone are responsible for your voice. By understanding and acknowledging all aspects of your voice, strengths, and weaknesses, you can create a clear path to better singing. Episode Highlights: We need to take responsibility for where we are and where we want to go with our singing Each of us only has so much energy, so we need to spend it wisely  ...

In this episode, John talks with Licensed Massage Therapist and Manual Voice Specialist Christine Schneider about the cutting-edge practice of Manual Laryngeal Therapy, where she specializes in laryngeal and TMJ treatments for professional voice users. Episode Highlights: Christine talks about how her own experience as a professional voice user inspired her path to become a Manual Voice Specialist...

In this episode, John talks with voice teacher Jeremy Ryan Mossman about our body's "fascia" and how it relates to our singing.  Episode Highlights: What is fascia? How fascia actually can make adjustments both subconsciously and consciously How to really listen to your body "Turning your voice off" to fast-track sensation of the singing process  To learn more about Jeremy, visit "Singing with JMo...

In this episode, John talks with top professional session singer Suzanne Waters about how she is able to balance contemporary and classical vocal styles of session work. Episode Highlights:  Suzanne talks about how she got her start in the music business The importance of paying your dues Warming up to get into "the zone" for a specific genre  Each genre of singing has its challenges To learn more...

In this episode, John talks about managing your time and the choices you will have to make regarding your singing career to be able to reach your goals efficiently. Episode Highlights:  Time is finite We need to make choices in our singing careers, and all of the options can be overwhelming Cross-over success - is it possible? Reality and fantasy and how to let go of certain things to start being...

In this episode, John talks about vocal tip trends in social media and the risks of using these tips without foundation in vocal technique fundamentals.  Episode Highlights:  Navigating vocal tips on social media The shout mechanism and the risk of "over-muscling" in a higher pitch Resonances explained Vowel modification and vowel tuning and the difference between the two To learn more about John...

In this episode, John talks with arranger, vocal percussionist, and author Rob Dietz about his latest book, "A Cappella 101," and how vocal techniques and an understanding of how your voice works will help singers develop their voices. Episode Highlights: Rob talks about his experience and how it inspired his latest book Vocal drumming explained How understanding formants and vowels will help you...

In this episode, John talks about how trying to keep up with the information coming at us in a continually speeding up world can be overwhelming and distract us from truly connecting with our voices and creativity. Episode Highlights:  We are in a modern world where it is constantly speeding up, and the rate at which we are navigating all of this fast information affects us all  Slowness nurtures...

In this episode, John talks about how concepts and judgment can hold us back from truly experiencing our voices and that learning to let go and embrace being in the moment will enhance our singing and our performance. Episode Highlights: What are you truly experiencing when you are singing? How labeling or trying to define moments can take you away from the actual experience How to bring more of "...

In this episode, John talks with world-renowned guitarist and author Jeffrey Lee Campbell about his experiences touring with Sting, among others, and his journey as a professional musician. Episode Highlights: Jeffrey talks about his passion for music and how his feelings of "music or bust" drove his career How touring as a musician is both amazing and, at times, overwhelming Not every musician is...

In this episode, John talks about how humility and accepting the twists and turns in life and our singing journeys will help us to grow and experience more.  Episode Highlights: There are times in life when circumstances force you to be humble Resistance to reality can hold you back Success is not a straight line and sometimes not what you think it will be Openness and flexibility can lead you to...

In this episode, John talks about the fear of criticism and how to re-adjust your mindset to be able to put yourself out there to share your knowledge and talents. Episode Highlights: How the fear of criticism holds people back from sharing their knowledge  Understanding how social media can feed off of negativity and how to navigate through this to use the platforms in a positive way How to appre...