The Voice Science Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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 personality
• Creating "safe risk" environments using the zone of proximal development
• Transferring ownership from teacher-dependent to self-sufficient singers
• Common teaching pitfalls that accidentally undermine confidence growth (over-praising, over-correcting, and rushing progress)
• Why confidence is context-specific and what that means for performers
• Practical strategies for voice teachers, coaches, and supportive family members

Whether 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 singers

Learn more about building evidence-based vocal confidence at voicescience.org/vosci-academy

Credits: 

Written by Josh Manuel
Recorded by Drew Williams-Orozco

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 distortion
• False vocal fold vibration and intentional distortion techniques
• Why metal fans love harsh vocals
• Separating myths from evidence-based voice science
• Safe practices for scream and growl techniques

Whether 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

“You’re singing through your nose.” Some singers hear this as the worst critique possible. Others are told it’s exactly what they should do. So which is it—wrong, right, or something in between?

In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, Drew (with script by Timothy Wilds) untangles the confusion around nasality, nasal resonance, and the role of your nose in shaping vocal sound. You’ll learn:

• The difference between nasality, nasalance, and “nasal resonance”
• How the velum and velopharyngeal port actually control nasal sound
• Why some styles (folk, country, R&B, musical theatre) lean on nasality—and others avoid it
• What’s really going on when singers talk about “mask resonance”
• Whether nasal resonance adds power, or just muddiness, to your singing

By the end, you’ll know when nasal sound can be a stylistic choice, when it gets in the way, and how to manage it with intention.

🎧 Listen in, and keep singing smart.

Everyone wants to “find their unique voice,” but what does that really mean? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we unpack the idea of vocal uniqueness—what biology, environment, and training contribute, and what people are really searching for when they say they want to sound unique. From fingerprints and phonation to imitation, persona, and style, we’ll separate the myths from the reality and explore what it means to develop a voice that’s truly “yours.”

Want guided training to develop your own sound? Explore courses at VoSci Academy.

What does it really mean to live up to The Standard as a singer or teacher?

In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, Josh digs into the philosophical side of excellence in singing. The Standardisn’t about hitting a high note or holding a phrase for twelve seconds — those are just surface measures. Instead, it’s about integrity: showing up honestly in the practice room, holding yourself accountable in lessons, and being trustworthy on stage and in the studio.

We’ll explore how The Standard looks different for beginners, intermediates, advanced singers, professionals, and teachers — and why it’s both demanding and forgiving. You won’t always meet it, and that’s okay. The point is to keep reaching.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between “good enough” and true growth, this episode will challenge you to ask: Am I really living up to The Standard?

Head voice isn’t optional—it’s half your instrument. Yet many singers ignore it, thinking they can get by without ever really developing it. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we break down what head voice actually is, how the concept of vocal registers developed through history, and why voice teachers for centuries have called it essential.

You’ll learn:

• How head voice and chest voice connect to real vocal fold mechanics
• Why Garcia’s 19th-century research and Hirano’s body–cover theory still matter today
• The four primary vocal registers—and how they form a continuum
• A practical exercise to hear and feel the role of fold mass in your singing
• What choices become impossible without head voice (range, blending, mix, emotional colors)

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why head voice isn’t just another “option”—it’s the key to unlocking your full vocal range and expression.

👉 If you’re ready to strengthen your head voice, check out our course Strengthening Your Head Voice, now available inside VoSci Academy at voicescience.org.

Most singers think of the tongue as a source of tension or a problem to fix. But what if the real issue isn’t tension—it’s habit? In this episode, Timothy Wilds dismantles the myths surrounding tongue tension and makes the case for celebrating the tongue’s complexity, agility, and central role in vocal production. You’ll explore how tongue habituation affects vowels, consonants, resonance, and even laryngeal position—and walk away with practical strategies to free up your singing.

Whether you’re a voice teacher, a singer looking to level up, or just curious about the biomechanics of sound, this episode will change how you think about one of the most important muscles in your vocal system.

This week, we took a detour from our usual format to answer real questions from singers, teachers, and curious minds. In this rapid-fire Q&A, we tackle:

• Whether dairy actually affects your voice
• The most common (and least effective) things singers do in lessons
• The one song we recommend leaving out of your repertoire
• How to adapt your technique for mic singing
• What to say when students hate their recorded voice
• How Broadway pros survive 8 shows a week
• And why VoSci Academy is built differently from other training programs

Plus: a sneak peek at what’s coming next in Voice Science Academy.

Can anyone really learn to sing—or is talent the deciding factor?

In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, Josh reads a powerful essay by voice teacher Timothy Wilds that challenges one of the most pervasive myths in vocal education. From cultural conditioning to vocal pedagogy, we explore why so many people have been told they “can’t sing”—and what it really takes to reclaim the voice.

Whether you’re a beginner, a returning singer, or a teacher yourself, this conversation reframes singing as a human right, not a rare gift.

🎓 VoSci Academy launches this Friday!

If you’re ready to stop wondering and start training, now’s the time.

Founding Membership is open for just 10 days. Learn more and get started at:

👉 https://www.voicescience.org/academy

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “talent” is overrated (and often misunderstood)
• How singing became an exclusive, performative skill
• What it means to be vocally proficient—and how to get there
• Why reclaiming your voice matters more than perfection

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The Audition Isn’t Just the Song—so why do so many singers only prepare the music?

In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we break down the non-singing elements that make or break your audition: your entrance, demeanor, professionalism, preparation, and how you handle the unexpected.

You’ll learn:

• Why most casting decisions happen before you sing
• What to do when the accompanist plays the wrong tempo
• How to prepare your binder, tech, and track
• Why your slate, exit, and even your shoes matter
• The real difference between talent and professionalism

Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth audition, this is your guide to walking in prepared—and walking out proud.

🎙️ Want structured, science-backed vocal training?

VoSci Academy launches July 25 → https://voicescience.org