Claim OwnershipThe Voice Science Podcast
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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!
41 Episodes
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Why do singing resolutions fail every January? It's not your discipline—it's the model itself. In this Season 1 finale, we break down the two predictable failure modes of vocal resolutions and introduce a process-based alternative built on compound improvement. Learn why 1% daily gains outperform breakthrough chasing, what your first 30 days should actually look like, and how long-term improvers think differently about progress. In this episode: Why willpower-based resolutions are designed to...
Everyone says warm-ups are essential. Everyone says they protect your voice. But when we looked at the research, the honest answer surprised us. The injury prevention framing is a recent invention—borrowed from sports medicine, where even that field can't prove warm-ups prevent injury. Meanwhile, the physiological mechanisms we assume are happening (increased blood flow, tissue temperature changes) remain largely theoretical. But here's what troubles us more: the concept of "warming up" gives...
93% of voice teachers experience imposter syndrome. 52% burn out. And 44% never collaborate with another teacher. If you've been teaching alone and wondering if everyone else has it figured out—this episode explains why that's not a personal failure, and what the research says actually fixes it. We cover why your degree program probably didn't prepare you, why the competitive culture in private instruction is making everything worse, and practical collaboration strategies that actually improv...
Your voice changes as you age—but 85% of people who get the right help actually improve. This episode covers what really happens to your voice over time and what you can do about it. We break down presbyphonia (age-related voice changes): vocal fold atrophy, tissue stiffness, cartilage calcification, respiratory decline, and hormonal effects. Then we cover Vocal Function Exercises—the intervention with the strongest research evidence—including the exact protocol and dosage. Practical guidance...
Stop hunting for notes at the piano. Sight reading is the most practical skill singers can develop—and it's completely learnable with the right approach. We break down what sight reading actually is, why it matters for church musicians, auditioners, and choir singers alike, and compare the main learning systems: neutral syllables, scale numbers, and solfege. Plus the exact resource and difficulty level to start with today. Sight reading saves time, builds confidence, and makes you a more inde...
Struggling to learn songs quickly and accurately? Most singers waste hours repeating the same mistakes. In this episode, you'll discover the 7-step systematic method professional singers use to master songs faster with deeper understanding and fewer errors. 🎤 Ready to level up your singing? Join VoSci Academy for just $1 for 30 days and get instant access to courses that build the technical foundation every singer needs: www.voicescience.org/academy/ In this episode, you'll lear...
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-suffi...
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 wh...
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 balan...
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) comp...
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 wh...
Most singers think “support” begins and ends with breath control. Ask almost anyone on the street what good singing requires, and you’ll hear it: support your breath. But that answer, while not wrong, is incomplete. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we go far beyond breath management and introduce a critical—but often overlooked—dimension of vocal support: anchoring. Borrowed from Estill Voice Training, anchoring reveals how engaging larger muscles of the head, neck, torso, and ev...
Confidence can feel elusive for singers—everyone wants it, but few know how to build it. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we unpack what confidence really means for singers and how to create it from the ground up. You’ll learn why doubt isn’t always the enemy, why true confidence requires both vocal technique and musicianship, and how to fortify your singing with practical strategies like preparation, focus, and storytelling. If you’ve ever worried about looking foolish on stage ...
Is classical training really the best foundation for every singer? For generations, singers have been told that if you can sing classically, you can sing anything. But does that claim hold up? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we break down what “classical singing” actually means—its history, aesthetics, and defining traits—and why it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll explore the role of space and accompaniment in shaping vocal production, the traits that give classical si...
Choosing the right songs to sing isn’t as simple as picking a favorite tune. A good choice can motivate practice, support vocal growth, and bring joy. The wrong choice can lead to frustration or stalled progress. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, Josh Manuel explores song selection from two perspectives: For singers: how to choose songs that make you happy, challenge you just enough, and fit your voice — including why changing keys or ignoring gender expectations is perfectly vali...
Your thoughts about singing shape how you sing—for better or worse. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, written by Timothy Wilds, we dive into the powerful connection between what singers believe about their voices and the actions they take in training. We’ll unpack why so many singers assume that “more” is always the answer—more breath, more pressure, more power—and how these faulty equivalencies can derail progress. From singing higher notes to belting with strength, we’ll explore...
“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 ...
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 de...
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 Standar...
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 mechanicsWhy Garcia’s 19th-century research and Hirano’s body–cover th...
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