The Intelligent Vocalist

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John revisits his very first episode and the vowel trick that can help singers balance their voices. Eleven years later, his answer to the secret of singing has grown beyond a technical adjustment to the bigger idea of expansion. Discover what can happen when you move beyond controlling the notes and allow yourself to fully experience the music.

Episode highlights:

• Efficient singing can feel surprisingly easy, even when it feels less controlled.
• Singers benefit from practicing individual techniques and then bringing their full awareness back to the music.
• Expansion in attention, listening, and emotional connection allows singing to become more than simply producing the right notes.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John explores why verbal instructions do not always translate into physical changes in the voice. Drawing on Cormac McCarthy's ideas about language and the unconscious, he considers how imagery, sensation, and direct experience can sometimes communicate with the body more effectively than explanation. Try giving your voice a little less to think about and see what it does with the freedom.

Episode highlights:

• Your body can coordinate complex vocal actions without conscious instructions.
• Naming a sensation can help, but rigid labels can interfere with exploration.
• Imagery can work because it gives the body a language it responds to naturally.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John talks with Sergey Kuhne, creator of Singing Carrots, about what AI can and cannot currently do as a vocal coach. They explore where AI can support practice and build confidence while human teachers continue to provide the observation, nuance, and course correction that technology cannot easily replicate. There is a lot to explore here, so it is worth staying curious about where this technology can take us.

Episode highlights:

• AI can provide frequent practice and real-time feedback between lessons.
• Human teachers can address complex physical and performance factors that AI struggles to assess.
• AI can give singers objective feedback that helps them challenge negative beliefs about their voices.

To learn more about Sergey Kuhne, visit singingcarrots.com

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John takes a close look at the onset, the tiny moment when a note begins, and how it can affect breath, pitch, and vocal clarity. He explains how singers can learn to hear and control these different types of onsets instead of letting them become unconscious habits. Start listening to those first few milliseconds and you may discover a whole new level of control in your singing.

Episode highlights:

• Breath-first, folds-first, and balanced onsets each create different results.
• Great singers use different onsets intentionally for musical expression.
• Precision comes from developing choices rather than relying on automatic defaults.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John explores why singers can get stuck chasing an idealized version of their voice instead of working with the instrument they actually have. He looks at the ways studio recordings and memories of our younger voices can distort that comparison. Give yourself a chance to hear and appreciate what your voice can do right now.

Episode highlights:

• Studio recordings are constructed performances, not one-to-one comparisons.
• Memory can rebuild our best moments into something better than reality.
• Recording yourself and getting outside feedback gives you a more useful perspective.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John explores why practicing can become difficult when your voice no longer does what it once did. He explains how turning practice into an experiment can remove the pressure of judging every session and make it easier to stay consistent. Go into your next session with a question and see what your voice can teach you.

Episode highlights:

• A constructive practice question has no losing answer.
• A difficult session can still give you useful information.
• The 20-5-1 rule provides a simple structure for consistent practice.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John looks at several common singing myths that may not be scientifically accurate but can still be useful. He explores why some ideas stick around because they offer singers a helpful way to experience or approach the voice. Keep learning how the voice works, but don't be too quick to throw out a "myth" that helps you sing.

Episode highlights:

• A singer's sensations are real, even when they do not reflect the underlying mechanism.
• Simple vocal cues can help guide attention toward a desired coordination.
• When a vocal "myth" is challenged, ask what was actually disproven and what the instruction was helping you accomplish.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John explores what singers can learn from the way modern athletes approach aging, recovery, and long-term performance. He explains why older singers need more intentional practice, better recovery, and smarter daily habits rather than simply working harder. The voice changes with age, but with the right approach, it can remain strong, expressive, and reliable for years to come.

Episode highlights:

• Aging removes biological forgiveness, making recovery and smart practice more important.
• Shorter, more focused practice sessions often work better for older singers.
• Sleep, nutrition, and consistent training matter more than quick fixes or vocal hacks.

Read the New York Times article here.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John speaks with innovative vocal educator Jeremy Ryan Mossman about why vocal problems are often symptoms of deeper patterns in the body, nervous system, and overall coordination. Drawing from movement science, bodywork, and voice training, Jeremy shares a holistic perspective on compensation, tension, emotional connection, and the role of environment in vocal freedom. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when you stop chasing the symptom and start listening to the whole system.

Episode highlights:

• Vocal symptoms are often connected to larger patterns throughout the body.
• Compensation patterns can move singers further away from efficient coordination over time.
• Play, imitation, and whole-body awareness can unlock vocal freedom more effectively than overthinking technique.

To learn more about Jeremy Ryan Mossman, go to bodybasedvoice.com or singingwithjmoss.com

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist, John explores new research on how the brain learns and why certain vocal moments suddenly "click." He explains how attention, timing, and meaningful repetition may shape the brain's ability to lock in new coordinations and create lasting breakthroughs. The more intentionally you practice, the more opportunities you give your brain to recognize and keep what is working.

Episode highlights:

• Focused attention helps the brain recognize and retain vocal breakthroughs.
• Repeating a successful coordination immediately can strengthen learning.
• Varying a new coordination helps it transfer into real singing situations.

To learn more about John Henny, his best-selling books, on-line courses, Voiceschool.com featuring his Teaching Team of Experts, Speaker Training and the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy, visit: JohnHenny.com