What do a trembling hand, an emotional speech, and a soaring operatic note have in common? Vibrato.

In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we dive deep into the real science behind vibrato in singing—what it is, how it happens, and why it’s not just a stylistic choice, but a neuromuscular phenomenon grounded in biology.

You’ll learn:

• ✅ What causes vibrato (and why we don’t fully know)

• ✅ The leading theory: The Reflex Resonance Model

• ✅ Why some singers struggle to find their vibrato

• ✅ Exercises that actually work (and which ones to skip)

• ✅ How vibrato relates to balanced vocal technique

We explore insights from voice scientists like Ingo Titze and John Nix, and break down the rate and extent of vibrato in terms every singer can understand.

If you’re a singer, vocal coach, or just curious about how the voice works, this episode is your guide to discovering vibrato through better technique—not gimmicks.

🔗 Learn more & explore resources: 

www.voicescience.org

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more science-backed vocal insights.

🎙️ How to Sing with Dynamics: Mastering Loud and Soft Singing | The Voice Science Podcast

Want more vocal power without straining? Learn the real science behind loud and soft singing—and why it’s not just about more air or effort.

In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we’re breaking down the key elements that shape your vocal dynamics: subglottal air pressure, vocal fold mass and tension, and vocal tract shaping. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to control your volume with precision—not just force.

We also debunk some of the biggest myths in vocal training, like:

• “More air = more power”
• “You just need to sing louder to sound better”

You’ll get 3 powerful exercises to help you build dynamic control across your range, including:

1. Octave scales to balance intensity from low to high
2. Soft chest voice exercises to build finesse at low volumes
3. The legendary messa di voce to master smooth crescendos and decrescendos

Whether you’re training for auditions, performances, or just better technique, this episode gives you the tools to sing smarter—and healthier.

🧠 Learn how pitch affects perceived loudness

🎤 Train intensity without blowing out your voice

🎧 Hear the truth about what actually creates vocal power

💡 VoSci Academy is launching soon! Want to go deeper with structured training and guided exercises?

➡️ Join the waitlist now: https://www.voicescience.org

👉 Got questions about this episode? We want to hear from you! Submit your questions at https://www.voicescience.org/contact — we might feature your question in a future episode.

🎧 Listen now and discover how to master vocal intensity with control, not force.

Tired of feeling like your pitch is just a little off when you sing?

You’re not alone—and the good news is: singing in tune is a skill you can train. 🎶

In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we dive deep into how to sing in tune, what “pitch accuracy” really means, and how your brain learns music like a language. You’ll learn:

• What it actually means to sing “in tune” (spoiler: it’s not about perfection!)
• Why small pitch variations (like vibrato) are natural—and still sound in tune
• How to understand Hertz, Cents, and Frequency without the confusion
• The truth about auto-tune in professional recordings
• Why singing apps can hurt more than help your pitch training
• The powerful VoSci method to improve your pitch: Listen → Audiate → Sing 🔥

Whether you’re a beginner wondering “how do I sing on pitch?” or an experienced singer looking to fine-tune your intonation, this episode breaks it down with practical tips you can start using today.

👉 Want step-by-step help improving your singing?

VoSci Academy is launching soon! 🎉

Join the early access list here: https://www.voicescience.org

🧠 Topics Covered:

• How to define “singing in tune”
• Why perfect pitch doesn’t exist (even for pros!)
• How vibrato affects pitch accuracy
• What Auto-Tune really does (and why it matters for singers)
• How to build your internal pitch sense through the 8-step VoSci listening process
• Why relying on pitch apps can backfire—and what to do instead

🔥 Helpful for:

• Singers who want better control over their voice
• Voice teachers helping students sing more accurately
• Choir directors working on ensemble intonation
• Anyone serious about improving their vocal tuning and ear training

The Voice Science Podcast | Episode [6]

Think there’s only one right way to breathe while singing? Think again. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we debunk the myth of a one-size-fits-all breath and explore how different breathing strategies impact your voice, performance, and vocal health.

Join Drew as we break down the anatomy of inhalation, explain the four main types of breathing for singers—diaphragmatic, thoracic, clavicular, and balanced—and explore how each breath type supports different vocal styles and artistic goals. Whether you’re a classical soprano preparing for a long legato phrase or a musical theatre singer belting onstage, understanding the right breath for the moment is key to vocal freedom.

🔬 Learn:

• Why the diaphragm is always involved—no matter what type of breath you take
• When “belly breathing” helps (and when it doesn’t)
• How clavicular breathing fuels high-stakes, emotional moments
• Why balanced breathing can be both a superpower and a trap
• How thoracic breathing might be your ideal default setting
  
  

🎙 Plus: A sneak peek at VoSci Academy, our soon-to-launch guided learning platform for singers and teachers. Get expert instruction, practical tools, and science-backed strategies to level up your voice—sign up for early access at https://voicescience.org!

Ever felt like you just can’t sing or speak another word? That frustrating tired, strained feeling in your voice is called vocal fatigue—and it happens to singers, teachers, and professional voice users alike. But what’s really going on when your voice feels exhausted?

In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we’re breaking down:

✅ What vocal fatigue really is (Hint: It’s NOT your vocal folds wearing out!)

✅ The hidden muscles that contribute to vocal fatigue

✅ Why dehydration makes vocal fatigue worse

✅ How long it actually takes for your voice to recover (and why rest is crucial)

✅ 5 science-backed strategies to prevent and recover from vocal fatigue

🎧 Listen now and learn how to keep your voice healthy, strong, and resilient!

How to Prevent & Recover from Vocal Fatigue

🗣️ Reduce Vocal Dosage – Your vocal folds slam together thousands of times per second when you speak or sing. Reducing excessive strain can help.

💧 Stay Hydrated – Studies show hydration doubles vocal endurance!

⏳ Allow Recovery Time – Your vocal folds recover 90% within a few hours, but full recovery takes up to 72 hours.

🎶 Increase Brightness in Speech – Using Ring & Twang (covered in Episode 4!) helps reduce vocal effort.

🔊 Raise Your Speaking Pitch Slightly – Speaking too low increases strain and makes you work harder to be heard.

Resources & Next Steps:

🚀 Want step-by-step vocal training? VoSci Academy is launching soon! Get on the waiting list now: voicescience.org

📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out at voicescience.org/contact/

💡 If this episode helped you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow singers and voice users!

Have you ever wondered how some singers have voices that seem to soar effortlessly, cutting through the mix and filling the room? The answer lies in brightness—a crucial acoustic phenomenon that enhances resonance and projection. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we’re diving deep into the science of Ring and Twang, two vocal techniques that can transform your sound and help you sing with more clarity, power, and ease.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ What is brightness in singing? (Hint: It’s not just about being “loud!”)

✅ The difference between Ring & Twang—and why both matter

✅ How laryngeal height determines whether you use Ring or Twang

✅ Common myths about brightness, including why it’s not the same as nasality

✅ 3 powerful exercises to develop Ring & Twang for better vocal control

🎧 Listen now and discover how a small shift in your technique can revolutionize your voice!

Try These Exercises!

🎵 /nja/ Exercise: Develop Ring with a 5-tone scale using the teasing “nananana boo boo” sound.

🧙 Witch’s Cackle: Find your Twang by exaggerating a classic “witch laugh” and sustaining the sound.

🔄 Ring-to-Twang Transitions: Master moving between bright vocal qualities with a guided scale exercise.

Resources & Next Steps:

🚀 Want step-by-step training on this and more? VoSci Academy is launching soon! Get on the waiting list now: voicescience.org

📩 Have questions? Reach out at voicescience.org/contact/

💡 If this episode helped you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow singers and teachers!

Ever wondered why some notes feel effortless while others crack or don’t come out at all? The answer lies in phonatory threshold pressure (PTP)—the minimum air pressure needed to start and sustain sound. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we break down what PTP is, how it’s calculated, and why it matters for singers.

Discover how PTP affects vocal efficiency, vocal fatigue, and even vocal warm-ups. We’ll also debunk common myths about breath pressure, including the idea that “more air is always better” and that pushing harder is the key to volume. Instead, learn smarter, science-backed techniques for singing powerfully without strain.

👉 Try the simple vocal exercise in this episode to explore how little pressure you actually need to sing clearly. Plus, get a sneak peek into next week’s deep dive into ring and twang—two powerful tools for enhancing your voice without overworking your breath.

🔬Phonation Threshold Pressure Formula:
Pth = 0.14+.06(Fo/|Fo)^2 kPa

🔔 Subscribe for more voice science insights!

📌 Links & References:
Elliot, N., Sundberg, J., Gramming, P., 1995. What happens during vocal warm-up? Journal of Voice 9, 37–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0892-1997(05)80221-8

Titze, I.R., 2000. Principles of Voice Production, 2nd printing. ed. National Center for Voice and Speech, Iowa City, IA.

Belting is one of the most exciting and misunderstood vocal techniques. Many singers struggle with it, wondering “Am I doing this right?” or “Is belting damaging my voice?” In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we break down what belting really is, separate fact from fiction, and give you science-backed strategies to belt safely and powerfully.

🔥 What You’ll Learn:

✅ The real definition of belting (hint: it’s NOT just yelling)

✅ The biggest myths about breath support, range, and vocal safety

✅ Three essential exercises to improve your belt and extend your range

✅ How to belt high notes without strain using brassy twang

If you’ve ever wanted to master your belt but felt unsure about technique or vocal safety, this episode is for you. Watch until the end for practical exercises to transform your belting!

🔔 Subscribe for more voice science insights!

📌 Links & References:

Purdy, S., 2016. Musical theatre song: a comprehensive course in selection, preparation and presentation for the modern performer, Performance books. Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, London.

Schutte, H.K., Miller, D.G., 1993. Belting and pop, nonclassical approaches to the female middle voice: Some preliminary considerations. Journal of Voice 7, 142–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0892-1997(05)80344-3

Unlock the secrets of breath support in singing with us on the Voice Science Podcast, where we challenge the myth that more air equals more power. Discover how you can achieve powerful vocals without maxing out your lung capacity, and learn the surprising truth about what your body naturally does to support your singing. Together, we'll dissect the misconception of "singing from the diaphragm" and reveal how an array of muscles—like the external intercostals, pectorals, and lats—play a vital role in regulating your breath.

Join Josh, the founder of Voicescienceorg, as he guides you through practical exercises designed to enhance your vocal performance. From squeezing your fists into your ribs to incorporating arm raises and squats, we'll explore how these techniques can help you stabilize and support your voice, especially on those high notes. With the right balance and muscular engagement, you'll sing with newfound consistency and freedom. Share these insights with fellow singers or teachers, and don't miss our next episode, where we'll unlock the science behind mastering the belting technique. For more tips and resources, visit voicescience.org.

References & Further Reading:

📖 Fiz, J.A., Aguilar, J., Carreras, A., Teixido, A., Haro, M., Rodenstein, D.O., Morera, J. (1993). Maximum Respiratory Pressures in Trumpet Players. Chest, 104(4), 1203–1204. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.104.4.1203

📖 Traser, L., Burk, F., Özen, A.C., Burdumy, M., Bock, M., Blaser, D., Richter, B., Echternach, M. (2020). Respiratory kinematics and the regulation of subglottic pressure for phonation of pitch jumps – a dynamic MRI study. PLoS One, 15, e0244539. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244539