The Intelligent Vocalist

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 - What Do Science and Data Say About the Near-Term Future of Singing?

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.

Some argue that great performances should never be analyzed, but rather, only enjoyed. While no musician would take this argument seriously, we still need to remember not to lose the joy of listening. In this episode, John discusses how to practice both types of listening, to grow your skills as a musician as well as a communicator of emotion.  

Dr. Reena Gupta is one of the premier ear, nose, and throat doctors in Los Angeles. Dr. Gupta is the "go-to" specialist for A-list professional voice users. In this episode, John and Dr. Gupta discuss vocal health during the current pandemic, the importance of science and knowledge for the singer, and her upcoming Voice Forum conference, which will give singers virtual access to the world's leading voice specialists.