Learning to sing is an evolving process, and you will need to change your approach as you improve. Exercises to help with common beginner problems can get you "stuck" if you continue with them too long. In this episode, John discusses two of the most common "helpful" exercises that can become a hindrance for singers.

Putting yourself out there is an essential step for a singer. Getting your music heard by other than friends or family can give you invaluable feedback from which to improve. But the troll culture is out there, waiting to derail you. And it's only getting worse. In this episode, John discusses his recent experiences with online trolls, and why you need to prepare to handle this often vicious criticism mentally, so you can get out there and SING!

We are often encouraged to stay positive - think positive thoughts! But can negative thoughts help us with our singing? Negative reframing is a powerful psychological tool that can help break us out of complacency and setbacks. In this episode, John discusses how to use negative reframing to give yourself a mental boost and to stay energetically moving forward on your vocal path.  

We all love comparisons - top ten best and worst lists are consistently reliable clickbait. We also love to categorize and compare singers - including ourselves. But the comparison game often leads to frustration loss of motivation. In this episode, John discusses why comparing ourselves to others is often a losing proposition and why you need to compete with only one person - yourself.

A great voice is the product of great thoughts. The delicate balances of singing require precise thoughts to control the many muscles involved in the process. In this episode, John discusses the importance of a clear, focused mind, and how to approach thought in your practice and performance.  

It takes work and dedication to learn to mix and blend through the vocal break. It also requires a period of being very careful to establish the new balanced in the voice. The problem is when the singer gets stuck in this particular place, afraid to sing more openly and robustly. In this episode, John discusses this issue and why you need to get out of this overly careful approach once it has done its job.

"Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own." - Bruce Lee Bruce Lee's quest to fuse the martial arts in his way still inspires. His philosophies are also applicable to the art of singing. In this episode, John discusses how to adapt and apply Lee's approach to find your technique and artistry. EPISODE LINKS: Voice Teacher Influencer book Science and Saucery podcast Voice Teacher Reacts YouTube video Boldly Belting course  

The tongue is a critical part of good, balanced singing, but our awareness can often be lacking. In this episode, John discusses why tongue placement helps with registration and balance, and how to control the tongue when belting high, strong notes.   EPISODE LINKS Boldly Belting

The repetition of practice can often lead to unfocused and "mindless" sessions. The question "why?" is a great way to filter and focus your efforts and awareness and to get better results from your efforts. In this episode, John explores the power of knowing why you are practicing.

Mindfulness is becoming extremely popular, and for good reason. The scientific consensus is that meditation has concrete benefits, including increased focus, awareness, and brain function. The ability to direct your focus is one of the cornerstones of mindful meditation, and the practical applications for singers are immense. In this episode, John discusses how to begin the practice of mindfulness and how it can positively impact your practicing and performance.  EPISODE LINKS Waking Up App