The Intelligent Vocalist

John Henny

Hosted by world renowned vocal coach John Henny, The Intelligent Vocalist delves into all things singing - from anatomy and vocal science, to performance, lessons, health, artist development and inside industry practices, Join John as he opens the door to the world of singing and gives insights gleaned from his many decades of teaching everyone from beginners to superstars, as well as training other leading voice teachers.

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476 episodes
Updated July 14

Episodes476

Newest first

Oct 4, 2018 · 17 min
Episode 55 - Overusing Vocal Exercises
Proper vocal exercises are a lifesaver for the singer. A vocal exercise can diminish certain difficulty levels when warming up or trying to gain new levels of skill. Unfinished sounds can be particularly useful when used correctly. These exercises can make specific tasks such as extending range or finding balance through difficult vocal transitions much more accessible. However, there is often a temptation to get "stuck" in these exercises as full, finished sounds add back in levels of difficulty. In this episode, John explains the proper usage of these exercises and how to be careful not to allow them to creep into your natural singing voice. Links Mentioned: Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy $1 Trial
Sep 17, 2018 · 13 min
Episode 54 - You Do Not Need Anyone's Permission
Taking risks is part of the creative process (and life) but there may be those in your life who are stopping you from moving forward. Not needing permission is a theme social media expert Gary Vaynerchuk speaks about often - and this attitude is vital if you want to have a career as a singer or voice teacher. In this episode, John talks about why you need to develop a resolve against those who place "ladders" in front of you - keeping you from your goals until you climb to their satisfaction.
Sep 11, 2018 · 21 min
Episode 53 - Why Singing Terms Are Confusing
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.
Sep 4, 2018 · 19 min
Episode 52 - Do Great Singers Equal Great Voice Teachers?
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
Aug 26, 2018 · 22 min
Episode 51 - Seeing the Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor
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.
Aug 22, 2018 · 18 min
Episode 50 - Using SOVT Exercises
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.
Jul 21, 2018 · 24 min
Episode 49 - Being More Productive
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)
Jul 17, 2018 · 20 min
Episode 48 - Teaching Yourself to Sing
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.
Jun 26, 2018 · 17 min
Episode 47 - What's Keeping You From Your Singing Goals?
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!!!
Jun 19, 2018 · 12 min
Episode 46 - Your Health and Singing
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.
May 24, 2018 · 11 min
Episode 45 - Intellectual Humility
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/
May 15, 2018 · 15 min
Episode 44 - The Acoustics of Mix
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."
Apr 25, 2018 · 15 min
Episode 43 - Drop Your Jaw
Drop your jaw! If you take voice lessons you have no doubt heard this command. You have even likely felt the beneficial effects of doing the jaw drop. Why does dropping the jaw help? And why do we often resist doing it? In this episode, John looks at the acoustic science behind dropping your jaw and why it is critical to vocal balance in the upper register. He also digs into why singers resist this and how it can be done wrong. A jaw-droppingly good episode - ok, sorry for that.
Apr 4, 2018 · 23 min
Episode 42 - Sing Like No One's Listening
We all know the feeling. Our voice sounds great in the practice room, only to fall apart when we go to sing in front of others. How can we get the same confidence we feel when singing alone? How can we sing like no one's listening? This question comes from a listener of the podcast, and John gives his unique perspective on having a fearless mindset. The greatest gift of singing is in the sharing. Don't let fear and nerves keep you from bringing joy to others. Listen to this episode and get on that stage!
Mar 10, 2018 · 21 min
Episode 41 - Singing With Elon Musk
When you think of singers, Elon Musk usually does not come to mind. That's because Elon doesn't sing, at least not publicly. But the trailblazing founder of Tesla and Space X does do something amazingly well that we singers can learn from. Elon is able to break complex systems down to the most basic level, and then rebuild the system. We can apply this same thinking to our singing, working on vocal problems at their most basic level. If done correctly, this can lead to rapid development and breakthroughs. In this episode, John looks at Elon's system of "first principles" and how singers can use it to supercharge their learning and vocal growth.
Feb 24, 2018 · 17 min
Episode 40 - Dealing With the Haters
Fergie recently got roasted for her performance of the National Anthem, setting off a social media frenzy of gleeful attacks. The fear is singers watching this will be afraid to take artistic risks as they could suffer the same fate. In this podcast, John gives an important pep talk on artistic courage and dealing with the inevitable haters and criticism. A must listen for all singers and artists.
Jan 23, 2018 · 22 min
Episode 39 - How to Make Your Teacher Love Working With You
Skilled, in-demand voice teachers see a high number of voice students in a given week, all vying for their attention. With an extensive roster of students, there will always be those that make the teacher's job just a little harder - don't be that student! By being respectful of your teacher's time and policies, and by showing up ready to work, you can become the student every voice teacher loves to work with. In this episode, John gives you his best advice on how to be a model student, how to have your voice teacher to love to work with you, which in turn will give you the best voice lessons and experience possible.
Jan 10, 2018 · 16 min
Episode 38 - Trust, but Verify
"Trust, but verify" might come from Ronald Reagan era but it is certainly applicable today. The internet is a wonderful explosion of knowledge, and singing is no exception. The disruptive force of online content means anyone with a microphone has access to billions of followers - which is good....and bad. In this episode, John talks about the problems of simply trusting singing teachers because they are online (John includes himself in this scrutiny) and why it is important to get to the original (or multiple) source of information to make sure you are gaining an accurate understanding of your instrument. Show Links: Ian Howell, Vocal Acoustics Researcher: https://www.ianhowellcountertenor.com/
Jan 3, 2018 · 19 min
Episode 37 - Stop Studying Already!
Studying your craft is critical to master your singing. But when does study become a crutch or avoidance mechanism? Fear of failure. Fear of judgment. These can be crippling. Yet if we don't embrace fear and criticism our singing will likely never reach its full potential. In this episode, John explores why you need to get out of the practice room and out of your comfort zones. True artistry must include embracing risk and failure. Listen to this important episode and find your inspiration and courage to get out there and get singing.
Dec 2, 2017 · 21 min
Episode 36 - How High (or low) Should My Larynx Be?
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.