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In this episode, John talks with arranger, vocal percussionist, and author Rob Dietz about his latest book, "A Cappella 101," and how vocal techniques and an understanding of how your voice works will help singers develop their voices. Episode Highlights: Rob talks about his experience and how it inspired his latest book Vocal drumming explained How understanding formants and vowels will help you create contrast in textures and tone The importance of groove, feel, and articulation        To learn more about Rob Dietz, visit: robdietzmusic.com To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, John’s Singing School, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about how trying to keep up with the information coming at us in a continually speeding up world can be overwhelming and distract us from truly connecting with our voices and creativity. Episode Highlights:  We are in a modern world where it is constantly speeding up, and the rate at which we are navigating all of this fast information affects us all  Slowness nurtures attention, and how speed shatters it How slowing down while you practice your singing can bring together mind-body awareness  Distractions are everywhere, and how to get clarity and focus in your vocal study and open up creativity To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, John’s Singing School, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about how concepts and judgment can hold us back from truly experiencing our voices and that learning to let go and embrace being in the moment will enhance our singing and our performance. Episode Highlights: What are you truly experiencing when you are singing? How labeling or trying to define moments can take you away from the actual experience How to bring more of "being in the moment" into your vocal practice and performance Letting go of pre-conceptions  To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, John's Singing School, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks with world-renowned guitarist and author Jeffrey Lee Campbell about his experiences touring with Sting, among others, and his journey as a professional musician. Episode Highlights: Jeffrey talks about his passion for music and how his feelings of "music or bust" drove his career How touring as a musician is both amazing and, at times, overwhelming Not every musician is cut out to be a performer on tour   What it takes to be a musician at the professional level To learn more about Jeffrey Lee Campbell, visit: jeffreyleecampbell.com To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, John's Singing School, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about how humility and accepting the twists and turns in life and our singing journeys will help us to grow and experience more.  Episode Highlights: There are times in life when circumstances force you to be humble Resistance to reality can hold you back Success is not a straight line and sometimes not what you think it will be Openness and flexibility can lead you to new opportunities  To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, John’s Singing School, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about the fear of criticism and how to re-adjust your mindset to be able to put yourself out there to share your knowledge and talents. Episode Highlights: How the fear of criticism holds people back from sharing their knowledge  Understanding how social media can feed off of negativity and how to navigate through this to use the platforms in a positive way How to appreciate your own unique gifts Not all criticism is bad   To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, John's Singing School, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks with Kerrie Obert, a Speech-Language Pathologist, singing voice specialist, and voice teacher, about endoscopies and the insights about the voice she has found.  Episode Highlights: Kerrie talks about her journey in developing a deeper understanding of the voice through her experience with endoscopies Vocal folds are only part of the equation when making sound The pharynx and pharyngeal walls explained  Why diagnostic terms are complex To learn more about Kerrie Obert, and her new book, go to: getvocal-now.com To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, John's Singing School, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about mindset around major vocal breakthroughs and how arriving at our "big" goals is a good thing, but only focusing on big wins can cloud our daily awareness with "small wins" and the important steps we take daily in our vocal growth.  Episode Highlights: How breakthroughs can lead to a feeling of plateau  How being present in the moment with your voice "as it is today" can better your results overall  Not all breakthroughs are monumental, and how micro-breakthroughs are just as important Deliberate practice explained To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks with Jeff Alani Stanfill, an accomplished vocal coach, and singer, about how weight loss can affect someone's singing voice.  Episode Highlights: Jeff talks about his musical journey and how his health played a part in his decisions around weight loss John and Jeff share similar experiences of how, as they began to lose a certain amount of weight, they noticed changes in their voices After weight loss, compression of the vocal cords and alignment of breathing support can change due to the physical changes in the body The importance of continuing to work on your voice as you go through physical changes, either due to life stages or weight loss To learn more about Jeff Alani Stanfill, visit: voicesoaring.com To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about how breaking down your vocal study to the core elements and getting back to basics can solidify fundamental vocal techniques and essentially lead to better singing. Episode Highlights: Dialing down the difficulty level to isolate and focus on core elements of singing can reinforce good habits Breaking down "Air, Cord, and Vowel" Journalling and how it can help you tap into more awareness of your voice Something even as simple as a "hum" can isolate imbalances To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about how in this day and age, although we have access to so much information, sometimes trying to apply high-level knowledge before learning core concepts can slow down one's progress or end up being just confusing. Episode Highlights: The importance of fundamental techniques High-level concepts can be distracting Steps a new singer can take to prepare for high-level concepts Reading about the voice and techniques is good, but singing is better To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about our relationship with time and how to re-evaluate where we are with our singing to then be able to take steps to reach our vocal goals sooner than later. Episode Highlights:  Time is fleeting, and there is no better time than now to embrace your vocal instrument and start working towards your goals Coming to terms with who you are and where your voice is right now Who can help you reach your goals? And what habits can you change or acquire to help you develop? How to shift your mindset to understand that the reward is not the destination but the journey To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks with Aliki Katriou, who has extensive knowledge of classical technique, and contemporary styles and is world-renowned for her expertise with "extreme" vocals, about what singing with distortion is and how to start to introduce this technique into your singing. Episode Highlights: Aliki's inspiration and path to singing with distortion The different ways you can introduce distortion into the voice Do languages and voice types affect how easily you can find distortion? Guidelines for how to approach singing with distortion safely   To learn more about Aliki Katriou, visit: www.aliki.katriou.com To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about the importance of listening to your body and your singing voice to recognize when you need to take a step back to rest or regroup.  Episode Highlights: The signs that you are hitting the wall, either physically or mentally The voice is an instrument where a positive mindset is as important as mastering vocal technique How to figure ways in a busy life to re-charge mentally  What to watch for in your voice if, physically, you need to rest it To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about what is meant by singing with an "open throat" and how to approach this vocal technique with balance in mind. Episode Highlights:  How to tell if you are using excess muscle  There is a balance to having an open throat  How to gain awareness of your resonant spaces How tongue placement can help boost resonance To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about how singing is not just about mastering vocal techniques but also about mastering our mindset. Episode Highlights: There is more to singing than just "cause and effect" How overthinking about technique or a bad experience in the past can get in the way of your singing today Isolating exercises and how they can help you "let go" in your singing How meditation and reflection can help you look at your singing objectively and without harsh judgment  To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about setting yourself up for effective singing practice.  Episode Highlights: Create a schedule for your practice - it can be a ritual  How long should you practice? The importance of creating a good practice space and tools that can help you Getting your mind clear and relaxed for good singing  To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about how vocal imbalances can creep into our singing and how we sometimes have to dig a little deeper to find these imbalances to be then able to correct them.  Episode Highlights: Maintaining balance in singing is a constant practice More advanced singers can sometimes discover imbalances after time off, introducing new styles of musical material or illness Subtle imbalances can lay below our awareness Get some outside ears listening to your voice - Even having a diagnostic check-up once in a while can help you find imbalances before they snowball into a more significant vocal issue To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks with voice teacher Matthew Johnson about vocal distortion and how these techniques can add dimension to a vocal performance. In addition, they discuss the importance of knowing how to achieve these techniques safely, if and when to use vocal distortion, and what type to use depending on the music's genre.  Episode highlights: What is vocal distortion, and can it be done safely? Everyone is capable of creating distortion - when and why you would use this sound  What is false fold/cord distortion? What is "fry scream?" To learn more about Matthew Johnson, visit: elitesinger.com To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com

In this episode, John talks about what is actually going on during breathing for singing and how understanding the process of breath support can help you in your search to find exercises to develop proper breathing techniques.  Episode highlights: What is relaxed breathing? How the muscles work together to create a "good" balance of engagement for singing When too much tension or clenching in the stomach muscles can cause tension in the vocal cords Expansion explained To learn more about John Henny, his best selling books, courses, and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: johnhenny.com