Teaching Confidence: How Great Teachers Build Bravery in Singers
How do you teach someone to feel confident when they sing? In this episode, we explore the psychology and pedagogy behind building genuine vocal confidence—not through empty praise or forced positivity, but through earned experience and strategic teaching approaches.In This Episode:The anatomy of confidence: why experience matters more than talent or personalityCreating "safe risk" environments using the zone of proximal developmentTransferring ownership from teacher-dependent to self-sufficient singersCommon teaching pitfalls that accidentally undermine confidence growth (over-praising, over-correcting, and rushing progress)Why confidence is context-specific and what that means for performersPractical strategies for voice teachers, coaches, and supportive family membersWhether you're a vocal pedagogue looking to refine your teaching approach, a singer struggling with performance anxiety, or someone supporting a vocalist's journey, this episode offers science-backed insights into how confidence is truly built—one small victory at a time.Key Topics: vocal confidence, singing pedagogy, performance anxiety, voice teaching strategies, self-efficacy in music, vocal technique, music education, stage fright, vocal coaching methods, growth mindset for singersLearn more about building evidence-based vocal confidence at voicescience.org/vosci-academyCredits: Written by Josh ManuelRecorded by Drew Williams-Orozco
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Screams, Growls, and Science: The Basics of Extreme Vocals
Discover the science behind extreme vocals, screaming, and growling in metal music. Are harsh vocals safe? How do death metal singers create those intense sounds?In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we explore the fascinating biomechanics of extreme vocalizations with insights from Dr. Ingo Titze's Utah Center for Vocology and research on Will Ramos of Lorna Shore. Learn how the supraglottic region creates vocal distortion, why the stigma around harsh vocals may be misguided, and what voice science reveals about safe screaming techniques.Topics covered:The anatomy of extreme vocalizations and vocal distortionFalse vocal fold vibration and intentional distortion techniquesWhy metal fans love harsh vocalsSeparating myths from evidence-based voice scienceSafe practices for scream and growl techniquesWhether you're a metal vocalist, vocal coach, or curious about extended vocal techniques, this episode reveals how extreme vocals are created without vocal damage when done correctly.Featured research: Dr. Amanda Stark, Dr. Julian McGlashan's vocal distortion study, Complete Vocal Technique#ExtemeVocals #VocalScience #MetalVocals #VocalDistortion #ScreamingTechnique #VoiceScience #HarshVocals #DeathMetal #VocalTechnique #WillRamos #LornaShore
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What Head Voice ACTUALLY Is (and How to Fix It Fast)
What is head voice, really — and why does it fall apart when you try to sing higher?Most singers are told to “relax” or “place the sound in the mask,” but if relaxing fixed head voice, no one would struggle with it. In this episode, we’ll break down what head voice actually is (and what it’s not), why it fails, and how to fix it fast — using research-backed vocal exercises proven to strengthen and balance your voice.You’ll learn:🎙 What head voice actually means in voice science — the balance of the TA and CT muscles🎯 Why chest-voice dominance causes cracks, strain, and breathiness💨 How air pressure and vocal fold coordination work together⚙️ The Vocal Function Exercises (Stemple Protocol) — the only clinically validated routine to train head voice safely and effectivelyIf you’ve ever wondered why your high notes sound weak, breathy, or unstable, this episode walks you through exactly how to rebuild your upper register with precision and evidence-based methods.By the end, you’ll understand how to strengthen your head voice, expand your range, and sing higher notes with freedom — no guessing, no squeezing, and no myths.👉 Want structured practice paths and step-by-step vocal training?Join VoSci Academy — your home for evidence-based singing courses, guided practice paths, and live Q&A support.https://voicescience.org/academy🎧 Listen & Subscribe: The Voice Science Podcast🎵 Topics: Head Voice vs Chest Voice, Mix Voice Training, How to Sing Higher, Vocal Exercises for Singers, Voice Science Explained✍️ Written by Josh Manuel🎙 Recorded by Drew Williams-Orozco
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How to get 1% Better at Singing Every Day
Ready to stop chasing rare “breakthroughs” and start building consistent progress? In this episode of VoSci, we dive into how to get 1% better at singing every day by focusing on the foundational daily singing practice and the essential micro-skills for singing that truly move your voice forward.You’ll discover why waiting for inspiration won’t cut it, what often keeps singers stuck, and how small, intentional adjustments (vowel shapes, tongue height, breath timing, resonance decisions) compound into real transformation.Whether you’ve sung in the past, paused, or feel like you’re stuck on a plateau — this episode gives you a clear, manageable focus: pick one micro-skill today, train it with full attention, and use it to build momentum.Tune in to transform frustration into progress, boredom into clarity, and practice into purposeful artistry. Ready to sing smarter? Let’s go.
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Does Knowing How Singing Works Kill the Magic?
Many singers fear that understanding how singing works will somehow destroy the mystery—that too much knowledge will make the art mechanical. But what if the opposite is true?In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we explore why some singers avoid learning the science and musicianship behind their voice, and how deeper knowledge can actually liberate creativity rather than suppress it. From myths about “singing from the heart” to the fear that analysis ruins artistry, we dig into why curiosity—not ignorance—is the real path to freedom.🎓 Ready to build real skills and confidence in your singing?Explore VoSci Academy, your home for structured courses, tools, and guided practice paths designed for evidence-based voice training:👉 https://www.voicescience.org/academy/Credits:Written by Timothy WildsPresented by Drew Williams-Orozco
The Voice Science Podcast is your go-to resource for singers who want to understand the science behind great vocal technique. Hosted by Josh Manuel, founder of VoSci, this podcast breaks down complex voice topics into clear, actionable insights—so you can sing with more confidence, skill, and artistry. Each short, focused episode explores common myths, key vocal concepts, and research-backed techniques to help you build a stronger, healthier, and more versatile voice. Whether you’re a singer, voice teacher, or just curious about how the voice works, you’ll get practical takeaways to apply in your own singing journey. 🎙️ Tune in, level up your knowledge, and take your voice to the next level—backed by science!
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