How Much Time is Needed to Improve Your Singing Skills?

Whenever a new student studies with me, our initial lessons are focused on becoming familiar with the vocal exercises. I often say, "give it about six lessons, and you'll start to truly grasp the technique."

As much as I'd love for learning to be accelerated – for us to instantly acquire world-class singing skills like Neo mastered martial arts in The Matrix – the reality is quite different.

Singing requires patience and can be a journey toward self-discovery. It deals with the intangible, involving muscles that you can neither touch nor feel, which sometimes makes the experience feel rather subjective.

However, despite this elusive nature, I can't help but marvel at the progress my long-term students have made. Their before-and-after transformations are genuinely astounding.

This remarkable progress is attributed to the objective techniques and warm-up exercises that I share in my course. The personalized feedback I provide will serve as the catalyst for your comprehension and mastery of the technique.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned singer, I am confident that you'll notice a significant improvement in your voice after participating in the Sing with Josh Vocal Academy!

Learn more here: https://singwithjosh.com/​

Josh

Unleash Your Inner Karaoke Star with Confidence! 🎤

Ever felt like the only one not enjoying karaoke night? You're not alone. Picture this: the room is filled with cheers and applause as people belt out popular hits from Whitney Houston, Adele, and Broadway classics. But when it's your turn, crickets.

Don't worry, it's time to change that!

As an opera singer and voice teacher, I've helped many karaoke lovers transform their vocal skills and confidence. Now, it's your turn to slay the karaoke stage and be the life of the party!

Here are some steps to get started:

1. Here’s the most important thing…. Choose a song that suits you. Find a karaoke track that fits your vocal range and style, and practice singing along at home. This will help you feel more prepared and confident when you hit the stage.

2. Invest in voice lessons. A professional voice teacher can guide you in improving your singing skills. Good news - I've created an online course called Sing with Josh that offers the best and most affordable access to world-class singing techniques! Check it out here: www.singwithjosh.com

3. Practice with proper technique. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. But to truly improve, it's essential to practice using the right techniques. If you're unsure about your technique, refer to step #2!

This advice isn't just for karaoke lovers - it's applicable to school musicals, community theater, auditions, and more. With a little effort, you can be the star you were always meant to be!

And if you're interested in taking voice lessons with me, check out the following link:

​https://www.singwithjosh.com/​

Here's to your future karaoke triumphs!

Josh

Professor Harold Hill's Think Method

What makes a singing teacher qualified to teach?

Doctors, lawyers, tattoo artists, and hundreds of other jobs require a business license.

Not singing or music teachers.

How do you know if a singing teacher knows how to make you a better singer?

A College Degree and performing experience could all be good signs of qualifications, but they could also not matter.

Because singing lessons are an investment, the student needs to get the right teacher as soon as possible!

Word of mouth is a great way to find good teachers.

Thanks to Google Reviews, you can get honest reactions from everyday people.

Here's what Gunther, a student of mine, said:

"I've been working with Josh for about two years now and the experience has been nothing short of transformative. His friendly approach to singing allows me to stay relaxed while his invaluable and extensive knowledge in every aspect of the art of singing continues to challenge me as I grow. Along with his instruction, I feel compelled to work on myself as both a singer and a musician. I've evolved from being afraid to sing in front of anyone to performing live in a theater of 70+ people and I'm now thoroughly convinced that anyone can learn to sing with the right teacher; Josh is that right teacher."

Helping students get back to the Joy of Singing is what I do.

It's what I live for.

I've studied singing with some of the best voice teachers out there. (Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, and private Metropolitan Opera teachers.)

I've gigged professionally in New York City for over 15 years. I've sung with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall and with 50 Cent at Radio City Music Hall (That was a fun gig!).

Teaching singing isn't just about making the right sounds. It's about helping the student become a better performer.

Being a performer and knowing what casting directors (and audiences) want is crucial for the teacher to know.

In the Sing with Josh Online Academy, we cover:

• World-Class Vocal Technique

• Interpretation of Songs

• Bringing emotions into your performance

• How to warm-up your voice

• Personal feedback from me

Come back to the Joy of Singing!

Learn more here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/​

Josh

What will you do with your "Omg Voice"?

The Voice, America's Got Talent, and The Masked Singer are all shows that could make you rich and famous.

I like watching the first few episodes of the season of the Voice or America's Got Talent. It seems more real to me to see all of the auditions.

So. Many. Happy. Tears!

But, what makes those chairs turn?

What makes that "oh my god!" voice?

I know what it is.

It's the same sound that whips your head around when you hear someone cry for help.

It's the same sound that melts your heart when you hear a parent sing a loving lullaby.

I know how to teach you to make that Million Dollar Sound.

It's all in the training - the voice building.

You can learn how to:

• Belt those high notes

• Croon the ballads

• Even out your mixed voice

• Sing the way you've always wanted

Get started on your journey here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Josh

Get thee back, breathiness!

Hello Friends,

Is breathiness plaguing your singing?

Do you find yourself running out of air before the end of the lyric?

If so, step right up, and check out the new video on YouTube.

It's all about Vocal Cord Closure. ​

Not the most exciting singing concept out there, but it might be the most important!

Cast away thy breathiness into the pit of Tartarus, and start singing more confidently.

Peace!

Josh

Sing your heart out (even if you're scared to death)

Lately, I've had two personalities - Real Josh and Virtual Josh.

Real Josh teaches in-person singing lessons (among other things) at my private vocal studio, Boulder Voice Lessons.

Boulder Voice Lessons hosts a live recital each semester at a great local theatre, and our most recent recital was a tremendous success!

I am always impressed by the profound artistry of the singers.

After the recital, one of the singers told me, "Did you notice that I had a full-blown panic attack while I was singing?"

Another student said, "I can't believe how different performing live is than practicing alone."

And later, another student said, "I need more [performing live] exposure therapy! I want to feel more comfortable on stage."

It's completely normal to feel nervous about performing in front of an audience, especially if it's your first time or if you're performing a new piece. Here are a few things you can try to help calm your nerves:

• Practice, practice, practice: The more familiar you are with your material, the more confident you will feel when it's time to perform.

• Visualize yourself succeeding: Before the performance, take a few minutes to close your eyes and imagine yourself performing well. This can help build confidence and calm your nerves.

• Take deep breaths: Deep breathing can help relax your body and calm your mind. Take a few deep breaths before you go on stage to help manage your nerves.

• Before the song starts, think about the first lyric - once you start singing the first line, the rest of the lyrics will come to you.

• Remember that it's okay to make mistakes: Nobody is perfect, and it's okay to make mistakes! Remind yourself that it's the effort and dedication that counts, and that the audience is there to support and appreciate you!

You don't have to perform in a recital to use these steps for success. Before you sing at the campfire, a family gathering, or just with your friends, take a breath, think of the first lyric, and get goin'.

Oh yeah, my other personality - virtual Josh! He has a fantastic voice-building course that will improve all aspects of your singing.

Don't let your love of singing go unfulfilled. Take the first step towards realizing your potential and sign up for our self-paced course at the Sing with Josh Online Vocal Academy today.

Real Josh and Virtual Josh can't wait to help you shine on stage (or in the comfort of your own home or car)!

Josh

What's the point of singing, anyway?

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

By William Shakespeare

(from Macbeth, spoken by Macbeth)

Oh, man, what a heavy thought!

After working for weeks or years on your voice, it might be easy to say, "What's the point of all this, anyway?"

I've heard that said by loads of singers and artists.

But singing jumps into your life when you don't expect it.

How music has improved my life this week:

• I sang lullabies to my premie newborn niece when I didn't know what else to do.

• I played and sang for my closest friend in a secured memory facility.

• I was playing piano and connecting with my nephew.

How has singing crept into your life this week?

Do you wish you had another tune to sing for someone?

A huge aspect of my online course is the 3rd section, in which we learn to interpret and perform a song.

It's not just about the words, notes, and rhythms, but a song's emotional impact on you and the audience.

We want that song to affect our audience profoundly.

That's why we sing.

Technique is a means to an end (a tremendously essential means).

My goal for you:

• Connect to a song with powerful emotions.

• Perform the song and be the vessel through which the audience connects with your interpretation of the song.

• "Hold the room" with your artistry.

The audience could be one person or Carnegie Hall. It doesn't matter.

Learn how to connect to a song here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/academy​

Best,

Josh

Singing Lessons from Beyond the Grave

Here's a history lesson for yuz!

Modern vocal technique is passed down from the giants before us.

Among the many giants, Robert Merrill might cast the longest shadow.

Thanks to YouTube, we have easy access to recordings of these masters that used to walk the earth.

My favorite Robert Merrill recording is right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzWa4Xi8inI

Mr. Robert Merrill sings "Avant De Quitter Ces Lieux" from Gounod's Faust.

This video is a masterclass in:

• Legato Singing - smooth and connected vowels are gliding into consonants.

• Bel Canto technique - he's "sliding" between each note with ease.

• Diction - the vowels are clear - no distortion.

• Performance - he lets his voice tell the story, rather than running all over the place "acting."

I could listen to that recording all day!

When he wasn't singing at the Metropolitan Opera, Robert Merrill was even a New York Yankee, singing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium for over three decades. Mr. Merrill passed away in 2004.

You'll hear this same technique with great pop, folk, or rock singers, but with less intensity.

The Sing with Josh Vocal Academy is rooted in this classical technique, which provides a healthy way to sing for the rest of your life!

Learn more about the course here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

"If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out"

- Cat Stevens

Best,

Josh

Diagnose your Voice

I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV, but many students have come to me to help diagnose vocal damage symptoms.

Hoarseness, an overly breathy tone, fatigue when singing, and throat discomfort can all be signs of vocal damage.

When I listen to a singer, my mind is going a million miles an hour analyzing the sounds I hear.

If I hear a distorted vowel, we stop and correct it.

If I hear a breathy tone, we back up and find an alternative route to get to a clear sound. The process goes on and on.

Teaching is like following a treasure map; there are pitfalls and detours, but there are also rainbows and gold along the way!

Recently, my long-time mentor and advisor had a stroke which has resulted in Aphasia. It's very sad...

As I was visiting him, I found myself jumping into vocal therapy. If there were a word he couldn't say, we would stop, detour, and find another way to pronounce it.

Many of my private students might struggle with speaking consonant clusters or vowels, which also presents itself in the singing voice.

Through working on these concepts, the speaking voice becomes clear and confident!

The voice is fascinating, and I've devoted most of my life to trying to understand it.

My course is different from other online singing courses because I am involved.

I teach the online group classes.

I teach the private consultation.

And, your voice is diagnosed by my 10,000+ hours of experience.

Learn more about the course here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Best, Best, Best,

Josh

Yoga Chanting Confidence 🧘‍♂️

I want to chant better.

I want to feel more confident singing in Yoga (or Church, Choir, or at Home)

I've been hearing this from my peeps lately.

We all know there's more to a song than just singing, like:

• pronunciation

• the notes

• the tempo

• the right rhythm

• musicality

• emotional interpretation!

Sometimes, we take these things for granted - as if these concepts will automatically be perfect.

Learning a song doesn't take long, but you must learn it correctly.

I can teach you how to learn any song (any language or genre).

If you want to chant or sing better, there's no better time to start than now.

Learn more here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Josh

How a Cow can teach you to Sing

I don't think of the hours I spend teaching as "work."

It's more like learning.

Students come to lessons and present the current version of their voice. That version is based on the previous week's practice.

Each lesson is different because the voice is affected by everything!

Allergies

Humidity

Mood

Sleep

Time Constraints and tons more.

Teaching is like solving a mystery or unlocking a safe without a key.

I learn a new way to open up a student's voice every time I teach a lesson.

And now, all that innovation will be posted in a new section at Sing with Josh called, Unlocking the Voice!

Starting this week, I'll add new lessons that will give insights into how to unlock your voice.

One of my new insights is the Moo Cow Sound. You'll love it!

Your voice is constantly changing, and it helps to have new ways to exercise it.

Jump on this singing ship here: https://singwithjosh.com/

Josh

Singin' in the South

For a while there, most excuses in the world - especially in the South, started with the words, "Because of Covid." Although, with a Southern accent, it usually comes out, "Cuz' uh Covid."

I grew up in Alabama, and I do luv me a Southern accent.

When I visited recently, I asked my musician brother, "Why are there so many great musicians in the South?"

He thought for a while and said, "Ya know, I think it's the Bible Belt, and so many people go to church every week."

In a church setting, it's ok to sing loud - to raise your voice in song. It's ok to play the piano, guitar, or any instrument, loudly. You're there to play loudly and to make "a joyful noise."

Heck, I grew up going to church every week - my daddy was an Episcopal priest, and we had an operatic baritone that was our song leader. I was about ten years old and used to imitate him at church. My Mama would look at me with a raised eyebrow and say "Don't make fun!"

I would say, "I'm nawt!" (As any 10-year-old would say, no matter the accusation.)

Being the Son of a Preacher Man was... interesting - but more on that later.

This is not an email about anyone needing to go to church, but when people gather and raise their voices in song, it makes you a better singer.

And we're here to make you a better singer.

So, if you're not the church-going type, or everyone mumbles the songs softly in your church, here is a recipe to fast-track your voice to greatness:

• Join a great choir.

• I think a community choir that sings with other ensembles, like a local orchestra is one of the best. They almost always have great conductors, they work on challenging classical music, and you'll get decent vocal instruction and a weekly opportunity to practice.

• If you join a choir, you'll have a good reason to work on your voice between rehearsals.

• You'll want to improve your voice because parts of the repertoire will be difficult for you. Difficult is good!

Great boxers work with great trainers.

Great singers work with great teachers.

No matter your goal, you want to work with the best.

My students have been "doin real good" lately. Some symptoms of improvement are:

• Singing ranges are expanding

• Singing with confidence

• Getting cast in local shows

• Placed in local choirs

• And, just singing the way they've always wanted!

It's so cliche to say this, but, Amazing Things are Happening!

Click here for more info: ​​​www.singwithjosh.com

Best,

Josh

A Few Karaoke Ideas for You 🤘

Does this scene seem familiar to you? I know it does for me.

Scene 1: Choose a song for Karaoke

"Hey, what song are you gonna pick for 'roke?"

Singer sitting in the booth is brooding... brooding...

"Not sure."

[20 minutes later]

"Still not sure."

[End of scene]

I'm asking all my friends, buddies, and students what their go-to Karaoke song is this week.

I don't want anyone to have the excuse: "I can't find a song!"

So, here are a few ideas:

Male voices:

"MMmmmm" - Crash test dummies

"New York, New York - Sinatra (or any Sinatra)

"Wicked Game" - Chris Issak

Any Bee Gees tune (Use head voice to wow the crowd!)

Low Female Voices:

"You Don't Own Me" - Lesley Gore

"Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" - Marilyn Monroe

"Champagne Problems" - Taylor Swift

"Lost Boy" Ruth B.

"Sampson" - Regina Spektor (Such a great tune!)

Rock Tenor Tunes:

Any Rage Against the Machine tune

Any Nirvana tune

Bonus - the most hilarious duet:

"Total Eclipse of the Heart"

Ok! Go forth and Rock!

Click here for more info: https://singwithjosh.com/​

Best,

Josh

How A Shy Kid Can Shine

I've always been a shy "kid."

I don't really like public speaking or raising my hand in a class or group to speak.

My mom told me once, "The theatre is special because you can pretend to be someone else."

I never forgot that advice.

I even spent most of my life living it.

When those stage lights came up or when the choir started singing, I was part of the team, and our job was to get some toes tappin'!

I've studied the art of singing since about 1994 - about 28 years of private lessons, isolated practicing, and performing.

Singers (and dancers!) are unique because our bodies are our instruments.

We don't push down piano keys or play the fretboard to make sounds.

Our sounds come from our souls.

That's why everybody loves listening to singers.

When Michael Jackson sings Man in the Mirror, we imagine ourselves needing to make a change.

When Dolly Parton sings "9 to 5," we hear her singing the soundtrack to our lives - our situation.

The power of the human voice calls us all into action!

The power of the human voice rises from deep-seated instinct.

Everyone has that instinct.

The Sing with Josh Vocal Academy provides clear and comprehensive lessons, offers opportunities for practice and personal feedback, and is tailored to the needs and goals of the students.

Some benefits include the following:

• Learning World-Class vocal technique

• Expanding your range

• Improving your pitch

• Increased tone control and flexibility

• Building confidence

• Lifetime access!

Learn more about it here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Josh

The Nose Doesn't Know(s)

Every day before pouring the cream into my coffee, I take a quick whiff.

I have an unnatural fear of pouring chunky spoiled milk into my precious caffeinated wake-up potion, and the smell test always works. That's probably a little OCD, but singers are a little wacky, and I don't like chunky spoiled milk.

The nose knows foul smells!

But what the nose doesn't excel at is sticking itself into your singing sound.

Get. Outta. There.

Why does nasal singing stink? Because it distorts your vowels.

​Here's a 60-second YouTube video that will teach you how to get nasality out of your singing!​

Nasal singing will prevent you from singing the way you've always wanted, and that video will get you on the path to vocal freedom.

If nasal singing is the last step in your vocal journey, awesome, that video will fix all your problems.

But if you'd like to dig a little deeper into your singing, I invite you to check out my conservatory-level singing course, The Sing with Josh Online Vocal Academy.

Inside The Vocal Academy You Will:

• Learn professional techniques for every level of singing

• Develop the muscles that directly control your singing voice

• Develop your chest and falsetto registers and learn to coordinate between the two voices

• Learn to overcome any fears of singing

• Learn vowels, vocal anatomy, ear training, breathing for singing, and performance skills

• Personal feedback from me

• Apply your technique to songs you love

• Learn to experience the pure freedom of singing well

The joy of singing is a beautiful thing!

Join the crowd of current students that are enjoying the benefits of the Sing with Josh Course.

Learn more about it here:

​https://www.singwithjosh.com/​

Josh

Confident Singing for Kids 🎤

Hey there!

Once upon a time, I was a young, enthusiastic singer in Cleveland, Ohio, wearing a teal sequined vest, white pants, and white shoes. I was a proud member of the Singing Angels - a youth performing choir. We "step-clicked" our way through northeastern Ohio, performing high-quality music and creating lasting memories.

The Singing Angels gave me a tremendous foundation in singing and performing when I was just a kid. These dayz, I'm on a mission to share my knowledge and experience with young aspiring singers like my younger sequined self.

I teach tons of kids these days, and to make my teaching even more accessible, I've created a 9-part mini-series on YouTube. This series is a fun, engaging way to gain confidence in singing and learn world-class techniques and tips.

Watch the first episode here.

If you'd like to dive deeper into the confidence-building techniques I teach, check out www.singwithjosh.com. Together, we'll help your inner Singing Angel soar to new heights!

Keep singing!

Josh

Singin' like Axl 🌹

Hey there, fellow songbirds! 🎶

Guess what? I joined a band! And not just any band—I'm learning how to scream like a rock star. (video evidence coming at some point)

As a classically trained opera singer, this goes against all my instincts. But sometimes, to keep growing, you've got to break the mold.

I've always admired the raw emotion in the voices of legends like Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain.

And you know what? This screaming thing is working! My range is expanding, I'm getting that "rock" sound, and I'm having a total blast.

The scariest part about singing with grit or "screaming" is the fear of hurting the voice. But with the correct technique and a gradual approach, your voice will be just fine.

(Ever noticed that babies don't get hoarse from crying and screaming? My boys sure didn't! 🍼)

Learning brand new skills like screaming on stage reminds me of how my beginner students feel. I've been singing "for forever," but I totally get what you're going through!

A solid foundation in singing technique is essential for learning how to sing like a rock star.

My Sing with Josh course will show you the way!

Who wants to jump in and see?

I'd be thrilled to help you unlock your full singing potential, no matter what type of singer you want to be.

Rock on,

Josh

P.S. If you have kids, check out my free YouTube Shorts Playlist - How to Teach Singing to Kids. It's fun!

Shy Singer Solutions!

'Ello loves,

Does any of this shy talk sound familiar?

"I have been singing quietly and never confident enough to use my singing voice in public."

"I just want to be confident enough to sing in my bedroom."

"When I went to college, I was very shy and didn't want other people to hear me play, which was difficult living in a dorm. "

I understand you, my fellow shy peeps!

Sometimes, singing allows shy people to step out of their shells - that's how it was for me.

I've always been shy, but singing and the theatre allowed me to express myself.

However, shyness can prevent you from doing what makes you happy.

That's where I come in!

Many of my students take lessons with me to overcome their fears of singing in public.

Check out this review:

"I've evolved from being afraid to sing in front of anyone to performing live in a theater of 70+ people and I'm now thoroughly convinced that anyone can learn to sing with the right teacher; Josh is that right teacher."

☝️ That is why I teach!

I love love love helping a shy singer triumph!

The Sing with Josh Course is perfect for the shy singer.

It's a self-paced online course with world-class vocal technique.

Together we'll help you get to your singing goals - whatever they may be!

Learn more here:

Hit me up with any questions!

Best,

Josh

Karaoke Bonfire on the Beach

We have had an unBelizeable family vacation. We snorkeled with the fishes, swam with the Manta Rays, and Karaoke'd with the locals on the beach. 

It was all a blast. 

Meeting locals is my favorite part of any voyage, and singing Karaoke might be the best way to break the ice! 

...One love, one heart, let's get together and feel all right.

On our final night, I warbled songs on the beach and was greeted with the locals' high fives and fist bumps.

The owner of the place came out and asked if I would sing The Gambler, and I happily obliged. 

I do love a low karaoke tune! 

Yes, I'm a trained singer. I've spent tons of money and time on two college degrees, countless extra voice lessons, and on-stage time. 

I can slip onto a karaoke stage like I can slip on a pair of greased-up fins (I finally stopped calling them flippers). 

But, you don't have to be a pro to sing Karaoke. 

You just have to train a little! 

How do I train for Karaoke, Jedi Josh??

• Know the song

• Make sure it's in your range

• Practice the song

• Go through the singing lessons at https://www.singwithjosh.com/

• Work on the tune with me at the group lesson.

• Find the karaoke track on Youtube and practice in front of your friends.

• Work on it with me again during your private lesson

• Head to the beach, find a bonfire karaoke location, and sing out!

Make friends, find love or sing to your lover, smile, and have a blast. 

That's what singing can do. 

Learn more here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Josh

Boulder Voice Lessons

Joshua South, lead teacher of Boulder Voice Lessons, has performed with 50 Cent, Paul McCartney, Kelli O’Hara, Kelsey Grammar, Brian Dennehy at world class venues like Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. He has been a member of a number of world class vocal ensembles, including The Clarion Choir (2017 GRAMMY nomination for Best Choral Performance), St Thomas Men and Boys Choir, New York City Opera Chorus, New York Choral Artists, the Bard Opera Chorus, Trinity Wall Street, and has sung on numerous SAG/AFTRA major motion picture soundtracks.

Boulder Voice Lessons is a world class vocal building and instruction studio located in Boulder, Colorado.

Please visit our webpage at www.bouldervoicelessons.com for more information and to schedule a lesson.

Happy Singing!
Best,
Joshua South
Boulder Voice Lessons