Is there a difference between Listening and Hearing? Absolutely! Hearing is the PASSIVE way we listen to a sound, while Listening is the ACTIVE way. Both skills are needed in order to master our singing. When we work on our vocal technique or perform, it’s actually important to NOT listen to ourselves too carefully. To do so often tightens the body and the breathing system and causes us to be overly critical of ourselves. Instead we want to FEEL the sound while Hearing ourselves more ambiently. The time to Listen is after the fact. Play back recordings of your lessons, practices, and performances. This is the best time to analyze and understand if your technique is translating. Your ears are an amazing tool! Just understand when it’s time to Hear and when it's time to Listen!
Breathing can be both voluntary AND involuntary. We breathe all the time without thinking. Yet, we can also breathe in a conscious and controlled fashion. Apply this truth while you sing. Use your breath voluntarily when you need to take a good deep breath before singing a long phrase. Consciously resist and control your exhale through engaged and energized Breath Support. On the other hand, use your breath more involuntarily when you feel that you’re pushing your voice. Try letting your exhale happen more naturally. If you happen to run out of air, just let your inhale happen on its own. Celebrate your body’s ability to relax and do the work for you. Or, celebrate your ability to consciously take control over your breathing system!
Everyone knows that if you want to make it in the Music Industry, you’ve got to have CONNECTIONS! But, for most of us, that seems very discouraging. We don’t have an uncle who is the President of Sony Records or a cousin who won a Grammy. Yet, we can still take heart! “Connections” are not always these obvious examples. In fact, they RARELY are. Connections will happen to you naturally if you are dedicated to your craft and respectful to everyone in the industry. Your colleagues, your teachers, the people you meet at auditions - all of them can become Connections. The stage manager, the sound person, the custodian - also Connections. You truly never know who will be the one to open a huge door for your career. Remember - Connections aren’t something you HAVE, they are something you MAKE. That’s why it’s called “making CONNECTIONS!”
Adjusting your Larynx position can be quite jarring to the soul! It sometimes feels like you aren’t yourself anymore. Or, that your voice isn’t YOUR voice anymore. If you’re having trouble accessing new skills or stepping outside your comfort zone, then embrace the RIDICULOUS by imitating character voices! Need a higher Larynx? Sing like a cartoon baby, a tiny mouse, or someone on fast forward mode. Need a lower Larynx? Pretend you’re a giant, a sad or dopey character, someone moving in slow motion, or even Darth Vader. Embracing the silly and the comical gives you the security to explore the extremes of your vocal abilities and discover new vocal abilities that you never knew you had! LUKE... I AM YOUR LARYNX…
How many times have you started singing a song you love, only to discover you don't actually know the words? It's easy to listen to songs and enjoy the tune without really paying attention to the lyrics. Yet, lyrics are essential to a song's success. How do the song’s words communicate a story or a feeling? From a technical perspective, how do the consonants and vowels in each word establish style and texture? Do the breaths within the song change the meaning of the phrases and sentences? Lyrics give singers countless opportunities to communicate and express themselves. Your musicality, technique, and acting will all benefit from awareness of how the lyrics complement the music. So, next time you listen - or sing along - give the words the attention they deserve!
✨We're celebrating!✨ June 2025 marks the 20th year of teaching for our Founder & President, Justin Stoney. Twenty years ago he reluctantly began coaching singers on the recommendation of Barry Moss, having always told himself that the one thing he "would never do" was teach. Soon after, New York Vocal Coaching was born. It started out of his apartment using flyers on street posts to gather students and grew to be the largest vocal studio in New York City. Justin never imagined that he would be where he is today. We're celebrating everything he's built over the last twenty years, his students, his creativity, and the joy he brings to the world. As you navigate your own journey, stay inspired, stay dedicated, and stay open to all the possibilities. Celebrate every victory and every milestone, and focus on serving the people around you with the gifts God has given you!
Vocal HEALTH is easy if you treat your body right! First, stay HYDRATED! This means more than just drinking plenty of water. It also means monitoring the climate in your home, practice space, recording studio, or performance venue. Do everything you can to make sure that these spaces aren’t too dry. If possible, use a humidifier. Next, STRETCH! This includes both your physical body as well as your vocal folds. Some yoga or calisthenics coupled with vocal warmup exercises can get the body prepped for vocal athleticism. Finally, REST! If you can, schedule one day off per week to recharge your instrument. Especially if you perform often. Maintaining a healthy voice can really be as easy as staying true to these basics!
True or False: locking your knees while singing makes you PASS OUT? Under the right circumstances, it is indeed True! But why? Standing completely still with locked knees causes blood to collect in the veins of your legs, reducing blood flow to your brain. It’s called Orthostatic Syncope and it’s a common occurrence in choral concerts, graduations, and anywhere else people stand for a long time. But that’s not all! Additionally, your primary inhalation muscles are your External Intercostals (which expand your ribcage), and your Diaphragm (which contracts downward to pull in air). For exhalations, the Internal Intercostals close the ribcage and the Diaphragm returns to its upward position. However, the muscles of your back, abdomen, and legs also indirectly affect the QUALITY of your breathing. Locked knees or flexed quads cause tension in the lower back and abdomen - limiting Diaphragm and ribcage movement. Prolonged shallow breathing can cause light-headedness and, in extreme cases, passing out. So, keep your knees loose, keep moving, and sing out - you’ll never pass out!
One of the most important aspects of being an Artist is LISTENING. First, you must listen to your OWN voice - not just your singing voice, but your INNER voice. The voice that guides your taste, choices, decisions, and, ultimately, your path. Second, you must listen to the voices of your TEACHERS and mentors. It’s unwise to try to tackle singing completely alone. It’s a communal art, and you should find a set of ears that you can trust to help you grow. Lastly, you must listen to the voices that DISAGREE with you - those that give thoughtful (not mean, negative, or hurtful) critique. Have the toughness to listen objectively. True critique can be difficult to hear, but it’s crucial to growth. Be willing to listen to yourself, your mentors, and your critics - you’ll have no choice but to become a True Artist!
Laryngitis. A true vocal killer. Just about everyone has experienced it at some point. But, do you know what it is? Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx and, thus, the vocal folds. It can cause hoarseness, sore throat, coughing, and pain when you swallow. It can also feel like it takes much more energy than usual to speak, let alone sing. Colds, flus, infections, and allergies can cause this swelling. However, Laryngitis can also be caused by vocal abuse or very poor vocal technique. Talking or singing too loudly or harshly for long time periods can sometimes be the source. So, if you notice a DRASTIC change in your voice after an overly aggressive vocal session - give it a rest. If you suspect you have Laryngitis, check with your doctor to see whether it’s caused by illness. The good news is that Laryngitis will definitely heal! Just be patient and conscientious if it comes your way!
How many times have you started singing a song you love, only to discover you don't actually know the words? It's easy to listen to songs and enjoy the tune without really paying attention to the lyrics. Yet, lyrics are essential to a song's success. How do the song’s words communicate a story or a feeling? From a technical perspective, how do the consonants and vowels in each word establish style and texture? Do the breaths within the song change the meaning of the phrases and sentences? Lyrics give singers countless opportunities to communicate and express themselves. Your musicality, technique, and acting will all benefit from awareness of how the lyrics complement the music. So, next time you listen - or sing along - give the words the attention they deserve!
"Know Thyself." It’s not just good advice for life, but it’s also the best way to take care of your vocal HEALTH. Voice teachers and vocal doctors are very knowledgeable and can help you learn a great deal about your voice. At the end of the day, though, the only person who truly knows how your voice is doing is YOU. Pay attention to how you feel when you're singing at your best. Notice what feels different when you are tired, under the weather, or when you have done too much vocally. Keep track of activities that make you feel better or worse. The more you actively monitor your vocal health, the better you will be at keeping your voice in tip-top shape and also at knowing when to seek assistance. “Know Thy Voice!”
Why is it so common for people to RUN OUT of breath - even in the middle of everyday conversation, during an interview, or business presentation? Chances are, they haven't coordinated their breathing system with their voice! For better coordination, take a full breath into the low rib cage, low abdominals, and the back. Keep in mind that it’s more about the DEPTH of the breath than the QUANTITY. Next, speak boldly and with friendly conviction as though your sound emerges from this deep place. Be sure to take breaks on punctuation to reestablish this coordination. Focusing on this will slow the rate of speech and convey even more CONFIDENCE. Remember - we speak on an exhale, so make sure your inhales prepare you to never RUN OUT of great things to say!
Do you ever feel like it’s TOO LATE to learn something new? Put that thought away! Certainly some things are easier to learn at certain times, like when we’re very young or in particular life circumstances. But, it’s ALWAYS the right time to keep learning! As an artist, your craft continues to evolve as long as you use it. And, you can forever make progress on developing your voice (both your physical voice and your artistic voice) and discovering new things about it. The same way that our relationships with other people develop and grow over time, so does your relationship with your art. So, cherish, protect, and honor the lifelong relationship with the voice you've been given. It’s NEVER too late to become a better and happier artist!
Do you keep an Audition JOURNAL? If not, try it out! Take notes on everything! Start with the FACTS of the Audition. Where were you? Who did you Audition for? What time? What did you sing? What were you wearing? Next, list the PHYSICAL aspects. How much did you sleep the night before? What did you eat for breakfast? How much water did you drink? Did you stretch or workout? Did you warm up? Finally, describe the EMOTIONAL aspects. What was your mood like that day? How did you feel during your Audition? After your Audition? Did anything put you “in your head”? Did you learn or GROW in any way? After several Auditions, you'll start noticing patterns - both good and bad. In a few short months, you’ll go to Auditions with more self-awareness and confidence than you've ever had! Harness your JOURNAL power for unprecedented success!
Do you want to take your Riffing and Scatting to the next level? Try a TRANSCRIPTION! Instrumentalists very often learn entire instrumental solos from the great improvisers and soloists. When these solos are written out, they are called Transcriptions. Musicians such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and John Coltrane are examples of pioneers and masters of improvisation. Start by choosing a solo that sparks your interest from a master soloist or vocalist that you love. Then, take the time to learn the notes and rhythms very precisely. Once you have done this, choose one vowel (Like “OO”) and sing the improvisation. This exercise is a great way to awaken your voice to both rhythmic and melodic ideas that you may not otherwise encounter in songs. It's time to take your Riffing to VIRTUOSIC heights by singing note-for-note with the greats!
Singing is Joyful. Yet, sadly it often has FEAR surrounding it. Do you sing more quietly because you’re scared of someone hearing and judging you? Do you avoid telling people you sing? Do you constantly say negative things to yourself about your own voice? If so, fear might be one of your biggest vocal challenges. But consider replacing fear with JOY! “I have a wonderful gift to share.” “I make good vocal choices and I'm kind to my singing voice.” “I draw inner strength, confidence, and bravery from my vocal life.” And most importantly: “I trust myself”. These thoughts can help you before auditions, performances, and other situations that scare you. Singing doesn’t have to be a fearful noise. Let it be a Joyful one!
What’s the key to success in the Music Industry? YOU. As an aspiring artist, you must understand who YOU are before prospering in the field. Don’t let the industry compromise what makes you special. There will always be a multitude of great artists out there. Yet, your originality is what keeps you grounded and sets you apart. Your productivity, your preparation, and your perseverance are completely up to YOU. Are you writing new music? Are you studying? Do you know what you’re saying as an artist? Are you staying true to your heart, your uniqueness, and your Joy? The more specific you can be about your own gifts and goals, the more ready you are for success. No artist in history has ever had everything go according to plan. So, take control over the one thing in the Music Industry that you can control: YOU!
Your Larynx is an amazing energy converting machine! Air pressure beneath the Larynx and vocal folds creates aerodynamic POWER. The Larynx then amazingly converts this aerodynamic power into acoustic power by causing vocal fold VIBRATION. Even more amazing is the way acoustic power travels through the space above it. The RESONANCE of the head can either enhance or diminish the quality of the vocal fold vibration. So, this power conversion doesn't just happen one way, but many ways! As singers, we study vocal technique, breath, and resonance to make this energy conversion as efficient as possible. This leads to more sound, clearer sounds, freer sounds, and limitless vocal possibilities. All this and more - just because your larynx is literally an amazing well-oiled vocal machine!
When you listen to a singer, do you listen? Or, do you REALLY listen? Critical listening is an invaluable skill for a growing singer. You can learn so much about stylistic nuances, performance choices, and vocal technique by listening very intelligently to what a singer is doing each and every moment. Which notes are breathy and which are compressed? When do they Belt or use Head Voice, Mix, or Chest Voice? Does the singer ever use Vocal Fry or other textures? What is the dramatic intention or acting choice? What about vibrato or straight tone? Next time you listen to your favorite singer: start... stop... replay... then replay again and again. It’s one thing to be a fan. It’s another thing to be an artist. Artists REALLY listen.