The Intelligent Vocalist

Singing terms such as "pulled chest" or "mix" can certainly cause confusion. Not only are the terms imperfect descriptions of what is occurring in the voice, they also mean different things depending on the teacher or singer. In this episode, John explains where some of the more popular terms come from and how to understand the various possible meanings.  

There are many criteria to use in selecting a voice teacher, a great singing voice is an obvious metric to use. There are those who argue singing well is the ONLY criteria for choosing a voice teacher. However, the reality doesn't always match up to conventional wisdom. In this episode, John discusses teaching versus "doing" and why a teacher with vocal struggles may be a more effective educator. EPISODE LINKS: Adam Grant Article EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Coming Soon

Just the mention of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor (ENT) can strike terror in the hearts (and throats of singers). However, a good ENT can be your voice's best friend. In this episode, John covers what to look for in choosing an ENT, when you should go, what to expect, and the main vocal issues you may encounter. This episode is essential for all professional voice users. SHOW LINKS: Dr. Reena Gupta - An excellent resource website as well as a highly qualified voice specialist. Dr. Curt Stock - A skilled ENT as well as a passionate supporter of vocal science and healthy singing.

Semi-occluded Vocal Tract Exercises are not some strange ritual being practiced on a commune in Oregon - no, they are perhaps one of the best and most foolproof ways to get your voice working correctly. Semi-occluded (partially blocked) vocal sounds create healthy backpressure in the voice, which presses down and helps the vocal cords align properly and hold back the air to produce great sounding waves of vibrating air. If it all seems a bit confusing, John will explain how and why they work in the episode. SHOW LINKS: The Oovo Straw is a handy device to aide in SOVT exercises.

The creative mind can be a challenge to manage. We are constantly bombarded with new thoughts and ideas which can lead to overwhelm and project paralysis. In this episode, John shares how the power of habit can fuel you to greater success in your singing and musical endeavors. SHOW LINKS BestSelf Journal SHOW TRANSCRIPT (coming soon)  

Teaching yourself to sing can be a confusing and frustrating experience. For various reasons, singers will try and go it alone, and while not often the best option there are ways to make the process more efficient and effective. In this episode, John gives his Teaching Triangle, the method he uses to stay on track when working with a student or practicing his own singing. SHOW LINKS For those of you who want to delve more deeply into the Teaching Triangle, you can get John's FREE three-part video series by clicking HERE.

Theoretical Physicist, David Deutsch breaks all goals into two steps. 1. It must be achievable according to the physical laws of the universe. 2. If it is possible, then it is merely a matter of acquiring the knowledge necessary to achieve it. It is not a time or resources problem - it is a knowledge problem. You can achieve almost anything if you have the right knowledge. In this episode, John breaks down how to define goals and then acquire the needed knowledge efficiently. Nothing is stopping you from your goals except for lack of knowledge. It's time to get your learning on!!!

We all hear about vocal health, vocal rest, proper technique. But what about your overall health? Is this something you have been ignoring? Is it something you are beginning to worry about? In this episode, John looks at his own health journey and what it has meant to him as a teacher and content creator. Better health does indeed equal better singing.

Humble thyself! Yep, it turns out ego and confidence not only makes you unpleasant on social media, but it can also slow your progress and learning. In this episode, John looks at how adopting intellectual humility and a growth mindset can be critical in rapid growth as a singer, voice teacher, musician, and yes, human being. Links mentioned in this episode: The Benefits of Admitting When You Don't Know: http://behavioralscientist.org/the-benefits-of-admitting-when-you-dont-know/  

Mix is an often misunderstood term (as are most in singing). Singers often refer to mix as "something less than belt," but in this episode, John discusses how to take your mix into the world of intense belting without the usual vocal fatigue and danger. The acoustics of mix are incredibly fascinating and open up an understanding of a wide range of contemporary vocal possibilities. Episode Links: Ken Bozeman "Practical Vocal Acoustics." Dr. Ian Howell "Parsing the Spectral Envelope."