The Intelligent Vocalist

In this episode, John talks with Kerrie Obert, a Speech-Language Pathologist, singing voice specialist, and voice teacher, about endoscopies and the insights about the voice she has found.  Episode Highlights: Kerrie talks about her journey in developing a deeper understanding of the voice through her experience with endoscopies Vocal folds are only part of the equation when making sound The phary...

In this episode, John talks about mindset around major vocal breakthroughs and how arriving at our "big" goals is a good thing, but only focusing on big wins can cloud our daily awareness with "small wins" and the important steps we take daily in our vocal growth.  Episode Highlights: How breakthroughs can lead to a feeling of plateau  How being present in the moment with your voice "as it is toda...

In this episode, John talks with Jeff Alani Stanfill, an accomplished vocal coach, and singer, about how weight loss can affect someone's singing voice.  Episode Highlights: Jeff talks about his musical journey and how his health played a part in his decisions around weight loss John and Jeff share similar experiences of how, as they began to lose a certain amount of weight, they noticed changes i...

In this episode, John talks about how breaking down your vocal study to the core elements and getting back to basics can solidify fundamental vocal techniques and essentially lead to better singing. Episode Highlights: Dialing down the difficulty level to isolate and focus on core elements of singing can reinforce good habits Breaking down "Air, Cord, and Vowel" Journalling and how it can help you...

In this episode, John talks about how in this day and age, although we have access to so much information, sometimes trying to apply high-level knowledge before learning core concepts can slow down one's progress or end up being just confusing. Episode Highlights: The importance of fundamental techniques High-level concepts can be distracting Steps a new singer can take to prepare for high-level c...

In this episode, John talks about our relationship with time and how to re-evaluate where we are with our singing to then be able to take steps to reach our vocal goals sooner than later. Episode Highlights:  Time is fleeting, and there is no better time than now to embrace your vocal instrument and start working towards your goals Coming to terms with who you are and where your voice is right now...

In this episode, John talks with Aliki Katriou, who has extensive knowledge of classical technique, and contemporary styles and is world-renowned for her expertise with "extreme" vocals, about what singing with distortion is and how to start to introduce this technique into your singing. Episode Highlights: Aliki's inspiration and path to singing with distortion The different ways you can introduc...

In this episode, John talks about the importance of listening to your body and your singing voice to recognize when you need to take a step back to rest or regroup.  Episode Highlights: The signs that you are hitting the wall, either physically or mentally The voice is an instrument where a positive mindset is as important as mastering vocal technique How to figure ways in a busy life to re-charge...

In this episode, John talks about what is meant by singing with an "open throat" and how to approach this vocal technique with balance in mind. Episode Highlights:  How to tell if you are using excess muscle  There is a balance to having an open throat  How to gain awareness of your resonant spaces How tongue placement can help boost resonance To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books...

In this episode, John talks about how singing is not just about mastering vocal techniques but also about mastering our mindset. Episode Highlights: There is more to singing than just "cause and effect" How overthinking about technique or a bad experience in the past can get in the way of your singing today Isolating exercises and how they can help you "let go" in your singing How meditation and r...

In this episode, John talks about setting yourself up for effective singing practice.  Episode Highlights: Create a schedule for your practice - it can be a ritual  How long should you practice? The importance of creating a good practice space and tools that can help you Getting your mind clear and relaxed for good singing  To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the C...

In this episode, John talks about how vocal imbalances can creep into our singing and how we sometimes have to dig a little deeper to find these imbalances to be then able to correct them.  Episode Highlights: Maintaining balance in singing is a constant practice More advanced singers can sometimes discover imbalances after time off, introducing new styles of musical material or illness Subtle imb...

In this episode, John talks with voice teacher Matthew Johnson about vocal distortion and how these techniques can add dimension to a vocal performance. In addition, they discuss the importance of knowing how to achieve these techniques safely, if and when to use vocal distortion, and what type to use depending on the music's genre.  Episode highlights: What is vocal distortion, and can it be done...

In this episode, John talks about what is actually going on during breathing for singing and how understanding the process of breath support can help you in your search to find exercises to develop proper breathing techniques.  Episode highlights: What is relaxed breathing? How the muscles work together to create a "good" balance of engagement for singing When too much tension or clenching in the...

In this episode, John talks with Dr. Daniel K. Robinson (aka Dr. Dan), an award-winning freelance artist and educator, about "singing essentials." Episode highlights: Breaking down core concepts for singers Voice science for the vocal student  Everyone can be a singer and how to value your voice Technique can be the "key pathway." To learn more about Dr. Dan, visit: www.voiceessentials.com.au www....

In this episode, John talks about how we need to get out of our own way with our singing and how to accept and appreciate where we are in our singing journey right now.  Episode Highlights: How to be in the moment without judgment when you sing Are you overthinking? Fear, anticipation, and tension and how it gets in the way Navigating comparison and perfectionism If you would like to learn more ab...

In this episode, John talks with Daniel Formica, a world-class performer, and vocal coach, about "support" in singing. Episode highlights: What is support? How connection is the key How to recognize if you are grabbing or forcing the sound  Warming up your voice is more like "re-awakening" your nervous system to an optimal singing condition  To learn more about Daniel Formica, visit:  yourvocaltea...

In this episode, John talks about what you can do as a singer and a performer while the music industry and live performances are still recovering.  Episode Highlights: Navigating the waves of the "starts" and "stops" as a performer during this time Stay connected to "why" you love music and "why" you sing Take this time to find something in your singing or your education that you can take to the n...

In this episode, John talks about the importance of hydration for singing and the steps we can take to support our voice.  Episode highlights: The mucus membrane on the vocal folds and how aging and environment affect it  Humidity, hormones and medications, and the voice How much water should we drink? The difference between superficial hydration and systemic hydration To learn more about John Hen...

In this episode, John talks with Dr. H. Steven Sims, director at the Chicago Institute for Voice Care, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, about overall vocal health. Episode highlights: Lifestyle choices and how they can affect your voice Acid reflux - when and what you eat matters Hormones and age and how they relate to the voice   Supplements that can support the voice   T...

In this episode, John talks with Grammy award-winning producer and arranger Ben Bram (Pentatonix, Pitch Perfect, Glee, A Cappella Academy) about how a cappella can "up" your singing game. Episode Highlights: Ben talks about his musical journey How to get started "arranging" and layering your own voice  Understanding the musical "rules" of different genres will help you, along with developing your...

In this episode John talks with Kerrie Obert, a Speech-Language Pathologist and Singing Voice Specialist, about the role of the tongue and twanging.  Episode Highlights: What "twang" is and the misconceptions around it The tongue and its role in producing brightness in the sound Finding exercises to find new ways to use the tongue to adjust your sound Vibrato and the balance of tension in the tong...

Show Notes In this episode, John talks about when to put the books, podcasts, and study down to take that knowledge you have learned and utilize it to understand your voice better. Science is not perfect, and knowledge is ever-growing Simplifying the science of resonance and pitch is not that simple  Knowledge is great, but singing is better - putting it all together Take time to experience your v...

In this episode, John talks about how making "mistakes" can be an opportunity to grow. If you can look at mistakes as signals to adjust, you can positively use these moments to reach your true potential.  Mistakes happen, and they happen to me!  If mistakes happen, it may be telling you something in your process that needs attention or adjusting How to come back from mistakes and negative self-cri...

In this episode, John talks with Jeff Alani Stanfill about his vocal journey and how to let your own voice soar. Episode Highlights: The inspiration behind Jeff's Let Your Voice Soar audio course and his journey to find the right vocal coach How adjusting vowels and "space" can help a singer to reach higher notes and smooth transitions through bridges Jeff talks about his relationship with David P...