The Intelligent Vocalist

Singing in tune is an essential skill for singers (autotune aside).  If you struggle with pitch, you may think you are tone deaf (don't worry, it's very rare), but you may be a bit tone shy. In this episode, John discusses effective ways to build your ear and the ability to match pitch and sing in tune.

We all want pure emotion in singing, but we also need to control and analyze our instrument to effectively deliver this emotion. How do we find a balance? In this episode, John once again welcomes Laurel Irene and David Harris of Voice Science Works to discuss how they fuse the mind and heart, as well as their upcoming NEO Voice Festival, which brilliantly combines the two with singers from all over the world. EPISODE LINKS: NEO Voice Festival Voice Science Works

Mix singing is a key way to move smoothly through your vocal range. However, this skill is often misunderstood and tricky to develop. In this episode, John discusses some of the common problems singers have when developing their mix and ways you can break through to a seamless voice.

Resonance is the essential "polish" of your voice. Balanced resonance will make your voice shine and sparkle. Resonance is also crucial in balancing and blending through your vocal registers.  In this episode, John discusses how to find and enhance your awareness and control of essential resonance, helping you to find your best voice. EPISODE LINKS: Chadley Ballantyne

Without a clear vision of why we sing and where we want to go, it can be all too easy to wander off the path of daily vocal improvement. In this episode, John discusses how clarity can help you find a laser focus to take you to your vocal goals.

Singing is a mental game, and we need to keep our minds as positive and focused as possible. Yet there are common traps singers often find themselves falling into - traps that can sap our confidence and growth. In this episode, John covers five of the most common traps he sees in singers and how to reframe and regain a positive mental outlook.  

The vocal break is what keeps voice teachers in business, and you can find plenty of advice on how to smooth out the break. But what do you do when nothing seems to work? In this episode, John discusses how to approach this problematic vocal area and gives some tips on how to patiently eliminate cracking and straining.

As we approach a new year (and decade), we tend to have a period of new beginnings, with resolutions and promises of doing and being better. But rather than wait for a new year, we can begin again, moment to moment, continually renewing our promise and purpose. This works particularly well for singers, as it is all too easy to drag baggage from the past into each practice session and performance. In this episode, John discusses the benefits of this renewing mindset and how to apply it to your voice.

Nikki Loney is a well-regarded vocal educator who specializes in teaching young children. In this episode, John and Nikki discuss the debate around children and voice lessons and how to best help your child discover the joy of singing. EPISODE LINKS: The Full Voice Website

Singers often want to sing in a breathy style - but it is usually done in a way that weakens their vocal performance. What singers often miss is the variety of texture and intensity great singers use when sounding breathy. In this episode, John discusses how and when to sing breathy for maximum musical effect.