The Intelligent Vocalist

Practicing correctly can speed your progress greatly, but singers often wonder how to get the best from their voice during these sessions. In this episode John gives his best advice for having a successful practice session. Practice well and you will sing well!

One of the main reasons to listen to music, and especially good vocalists, is to feel an emotion. Being able to deliver strong (and honest) emotions in your singing is extremely important. Acting your song is not just for musical theatre or opera. You can use these techniques to up your performances of any style. In this episode John shares some of his favorite techniques to emotionally connect with your music, including some of what he learned from a legendary Hollywood Acting Coach. If you have trouble communicating what you truly want to say when singing, this episode is for you.

Skype lessons tend to bring our very strong opinions amongst voice teachers. Some love 'em, some hate 'em. In this episode, John looks at the challenges of learning voice on-line, starting with his early days of teaching over the telephone (yes, he's that old). If you have thought about learning or even teaching over Skype (or zoom, Facetime, etc.) this is a must-listen episode!

Keeping your vocal folds properly hydrated is essential for good healthy speaking and singing, but it is not always easily done. Just drinking more fluids is often not enough, especially for those who use their voices on a professional level. In this episode, John again looks at some of the latest research on vocal fold hydration and the best practices for achieving good vocal health. John also discusses why women need to take extra care in making sure they are properly hydrated as research is showing they have particular issues that men do not. This episode is a must for all singers who want their vocal cords to be as healthy as possible.

Vocal science has gone from being hidden within the halls of academia to a greater acceptance by voice teachers, and increasingly, singers as well. However, is vocal science becoming overhyped and stopping singers from actually learning to sing? John delves into this subject with his own viewpoint of how vocal science has transformed his approach to the voice and how to use science to help your teaching and singing.

Singers often talk about "mix," but what does it really mean? In this episode, John delves into the world of mix and discusses it from a physical and acoustic standpoint. If you are confused by what mix singing is, this episode is for you!

Singing with more power is usually a high priority for singers. Unfortunately, if done wrong, attempting to get more power out of the voice can lead to vocal problems and even damage. In this episode John explains how vocal power works and how to begin to safely find it in your own voice.

Belting can be one of the most thrilling types of singing a vocalist can attempt, but if done incorrectly it can lead to devastating vocal problems. In this episode, John breaks down the right and wrong ways to belt, and exactly what is happening in the voice when belting correctly. This basic knowledge can be an absolute voice saver for singers!

One of the key ways to become a great singer is to gain mastery over rhythm and phrasing. This can make the difference between mediocre vocal performances and ones that will have listeners flocking to you. In this episode, John covers how to learn to accurately subdivide beats and how syncopation can make you singing more interesting. He also gets into the magic of phrasing and how great singers use it to move their listeners emotionally. This episode is a must if you wish to stand out vocally.

Some believe that only natural singers can truly reach the heights of singing. In this podcast John discusses why pure natural talent, while a desirable gift, can also cause problems for singers, and how the singer that has to work harder actually has some advantages. If you are doubting your ability to become a world-class singer, you need to listen to this episode.