The Intelligent Vocalist

The optimal positioning of the larynx is a subject that can certainly keep voice teachers debating. Some feel a low larynx is optimal, while others will argue for a raised position. This can lead to confusion amongst singers, as well as voice teachers. In this episode, John looks at the larynx from an acoustic as well as a singing muscle point of view and discusses options and best practices for singers. He also goes into how his views on optimal larynx height have changed over the years.

Have you ever thought about teaching voice, but are intimated? In this episode John talks about the joys of a teaching career, and how you can get started on your path. Teaching voice is incredibly rewarding, and can provide a career full of music. This episode is perfect if you want to get started, but don't know how.

A career in the entertainment business takes enormous dedication. You are competing against the best in the world and you need to bring your absolute best to the table. Dedication and hard work are essential. Without them, your chances of success are almost nonexistent. In this episode, John gives his best advice about what it takes to have a career in music. Highly recommended listening for anyone who aspires to sing professionally.

The vocal break is the dreaded part of the voice that keeps voice teachers in business. The break is the number issue most singers deal with. If you hit this area too hard you jam up, not hard enough and you fall apart. Why does this happen and what to do about it? In this episode, John dives deeper into this most tricky vocal area and gives you some quick tips and tricks to develop the necessary coordinations.

Singing is a high-level art form that takes an incredible amount of skill and artistry. As a student of singing your work is truly never done. But are you really doing the hard work? In this episode, John delves into the idea of "deep work" and how to use uninterrupted focus and intensity to supercharge your musical development. If you want to take your singing and musical skills to greater heights, this episode is not to be missed.

Many in the vocal community are talking about Adele and the recent cancellation of the final nights of her tour. The pressures and demands of a career can take a toll on an artist, and it's something professional singers often find themselves worrying about. There is also the pressure to deliver performances that move and excite audiences, sometimes at the expense of vocal health. In this episode John discusses this tricky area and gives advice about what you ultimately need from both your artistry and your vocal technique.

The music of the voice is in the vowel, and therein lies a great key to singing. Understanding how to approach vowels is critical for singing, not only for technical mastery, but also vocal color and nuance. However, the vowels you want for singing can be very different from the vowel sounds you commonly use for speaking. In this podcast John delves into vowel perception, and how the listener actually hears the vowels you are producing. Understanding this topic can help the singer adjust vowels correctly, giving the listener the correct vowel perception while keeping vocal balances and color choices.

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!