Vocal Tips in 10 with Amber Mogg Cathey

When illness strikes, singers face tough decisions:  Should you sing? Cancel? Push through? In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , Amber Mogg Cathey walks you through how to care for and recover your voice when you’re sick — without setting your healing back. Learn how to: Make smart choices about when to sing and when to rest Adjust your set list or rehearsal plan to protect your voice...

As singers, we often think about how to recover our voices after something goes wrong — but what about protecting them  before  it does? In this week’s episode, Amber Mogg Cathey shares how to keep your healthy voice… healthy, especially as cold and flu season hits. Learn simple, science-backed habits to maintain peak vocal wellness all year long — from hydration and rest to vocal budget...

Pressed for time but still want to sound your best? In this mini-episode, vocal coach Amber Mogg Cathey shares a quick and effective 5-minute warm-up with two core exercises every singer needs. Plus, get a bonus belting exercise from her  Erase Your Break  course to boost vocal power without strain. This episode breaks down semi-occluded vocal tract exercises and resonance techniques tha...

What’s it like to be a singer with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (HEDS)? In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , I share my personal journey and how HEDS impacts vocal health, performance, and daily singing. You’ll get practical tips like structuring shorter sessions, using gentle exercises, and adjusting your setup for more stability—plus insight on the positives, the importance of liste...

Think mix voice is a separate register? Or that belting is bad for your voice? In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , Amber Mogg Cathey busts the biggest myths about mix voice and belting. Learn why mix isn’t a mystery register, how many different tonal options you really have, and why belting—done correctly—isn’t dangerous at all. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’ll walk away with cla...

Can you sing from your diaphragm? Do your vocal folds move up and down for pitch? And do you really have separate “voices” to switch between? In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , Amber Mogg Cathey busts three of the most common vocal function myths and shares the truth about how your voice really works—so you can sing with more freedom and less tension. 🎤Try 2 weeks of Vocal Pro for FREE F...

Think tea, honey, or throat sprays are the secret to a healthy voice? Think again. In this episode, I'm busting some of the most common vocal health myths singers hear every day. From food and drink “fixes” to hydration hacks, you’ll learn what  really  impacts your vocal folds (and what doesn’t). Discover why hydration takes time, how food and drinks affect singers differently, and why...

Finding the right key can make or break your performance. In this episode, I’ll show you how to figure out the best key for  your  voice every time. You’ll learn what to listen for in a song, how to keep both the high and low notes comfortable, and simple tools that make changing keys easy—like apps, karaoke tracks, and capos. Whether you’re performing, recording, or just singing for fun...

Changing the key isn’t cheating — it’s what pros do. 🎤 In this episode, I tackle the biggest myths about key changes, from “it sounds worse live” to “real singers don’t do it,” and share why adjusting the key is actually smart strategy for your voice, your audience, and your career. 🎤Try 2 weeks of Vocal Pro for FREE and get access to the Understanding & Coping with Performance Anxiety Cours...

Performance anxiety is something every performer faces—because it’s really just the body’s response to excitement or nerves. The challenge comes when our mind and body start to run away with us, leaving us feeling out of control and impacting our voice on stage. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Prepare in ways that set you up for confidence Stay grounded when anxiety hits mid-performance Refl...

Your speaking voice  is  your singing voice—and because you spend far more time speaking than singing, it’s important to take care of it. In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , I sit down with speech pathologist  Maurice Goodwin  to explore healthy speaking techniques that support vocal longevity. From spotting the signs of strain to building everyday habits that reduce te...

Join me this week as a share a quick and effective 5-minute vocal warm-up you can do right in your car. Perfect for those on-the-go moments before a gig, rehearsal, or audition, this routine requires no instruments and minimal thought, allowing you to focus on the road while preparing your voice. With exercises designed to connect your breath, relax your vocal folds, and lock in resonance, you'll...

Stronger low notes don’t just make your voice sound richer—they give you more power everywhere in your range. 🎤 In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , Amber Mogg Cathey breaks down why building strength in your lower register is the secret weapon for balance, flexibility, and resonance across your voice. You’ll learn: Why the lower register is the “powerhouse” of your singing Practical exerc...

Ever nailed a run of high notes only to find your low notes suddenly feel flimsy—or vice versa? You’re not imagining it, and you’re definitely not alone. In this episode of Vocal Tips in 10 , I’m breaking down  stretch weakness —a concept from exercise science that explains why working one register can temporarily throw the other off. You’ll learn: 🎯 Why stretch weakness happens to  all...

High notes don’t have to be your vocal nemesis. In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , I break down why high notes feel so tricky—and how to make them feel a whole lot easier. You’ll learn how fear, tension, and even volume might be getting in your way, and how to use movement, vocal tract shaping, and smart technique to sing higher with more freedom and less strain. Whether you’re aiming for...

Ever wonder what really makes a singer stand out? Spoiler: it’s not about sounding like someone else—it’s about knowing who  you  are as an artist. In this episode, we’re diving into  vocal identity —what it is, why it matters, and how to develop yours. I’ll walk you through the four key components that shape your unique sound: 🎤 What  you  naturally bring to the table 🎨...

You’ve probably heard the term “SOVT” floating around in the voice world—but what does it actually mean, and why does everyone swear by it? In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , I’m breaking down what SOVT (aka semi-occluded vocal tract) exercises are, why they’re so effective for vocal health and technique, and how to actually use them. Plus, I’ll share some of my go-to SOVT exercises you c...

Did you set singing goals at the beginning of the year? Or did life take over and you never really got around to it? Either way—this is your moment to pause, reflect, and reset. In this episode, I’m walking you through a simple midyear check-in with prompts and tangible steps to help you: 🎯 Celebrate progress (even the small stuff) 🎯 Get honest about what’s felt hard or inconsistent 🎯 Set meani...

If you’re skipping vocal cool-downs after singing, you might be missing one of the simplest ways to protect and strengthen your voice for the long haul. In this episode of Vocal Tips in 10, I’m breaking down why every singer needs a vocal cool-down—not just after big performances, but anytime your voice has been working hard. Just like athletes don’t sprint and then stop cold, singers need to grad...

If you dream of performing —but aren’t performing at all—this episode is your sign to start. Consider this episode your call to action to start sharing your voice, from wherever you are, right now. Whether it’s an open mic night, a choir, a local venue, or just posting a clip on social media—every small step counts. In this episode, Amber offers encouragement, real talk, and practical ideas for ge...

If your voice feels tight or strained and you can’t quite figure out why… your tongue might be the hidden culprit. In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , I’m breaking down the  real  role of the tongue in singing—why it matters, how it can work against you, and what to do about it. You'll learn how to spot signs of tongue tension, simple exercises to release it, and why blaming your...

Does Hydration Really Matter for Singers?  💧🎤 Short answer:  yes —and in this episode, I break down exactly why. We’re talking about how hydration impacts your vocal folds, the warning signs of dehydration singers often miss, and what kinds of hydration actually make a difference (hint: it’s not just about chugging water). I’ll also touch on external tools like steaming and nebulizing—...

🎙️ Building a Brand That Feels Like  You  with Sara Strese In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , I’m joined by brand and web designer Sara Strese for a conversation all about building a brand that’s aligned, authentic, and uniquely yours . Whether you're a singer, creative, or artist, your brand goes way beyond a logo—it’s about how people experience  you . Sara breaks down ho...

🧰 Some of My Favorite Singer Tools In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , I’m sharing some of the tools I personally rely on to keep my voice feeling strong, healthy, and ready to go—especially during busy seasons or vocal recovery. These are the things I actually use and recommend all the time: my favorite water bottles, steamers, nebulizers, singing straws, and more. I’ll break down what e...

🎙️ In this episode of  Vocal Tips in 10 , we’re diving into  the power of dynamics —how shifting your volume and intensity can instantly elevate your performance and connect you more deeply to your audience. I'll break down why dynamic contrast isn’t just about singing louder or softer—it’s about  telling the story , building emotion, and standing out as an expressive, intentional v...