The new book by Justin Stoney "Sing Like Never Before" is now available! 🎶📖🎤 A vocal pedagogy book like none you've ever seen! Learn more at singlikeneverbefore.com or get your copy on Amazon ➡ www.amazon.com/Sing-Like-Never-Before-Technique/dp/1950659755/
You are one hell of a teacher, motivator, confidence and dream builder! No wonder you are that successful as coach and teacher. You are more than just a vocal teacher you teach life! May you be repaid with good health and success in great abundance!
I'll add my sad story to the list. When I was in high school, a vocal instructor came to our music class and told us about voice training. After the class, I timidly approached him and said, "I think I have a decent voice - can I get some more information?" It was SO hard for me to even approach the guy in the first place, having grown up in a household that wasn't exactly positive. However, I hadn't realized that my older brother and his friend, who had never even heard me sing, were standing behind me. They started laughing at me in front of a bunch of people, saying things like, "What makes you think you can sing? You suck at everything you do. No one would ever want to listen to you. Forget about quitting - don't even start." I was utterly devastated. Totally humiliated and crushed. Sadly, I internalized that and shelved singing for 25 years. Fast forward - my best friend died suddenly two years ago which jarred me into looking at knocking things off my bucket list. Lo and behold, learning to sing was on the list, so I finally started. And of course I wanted to sing opera of all things. I got a teacher, and after the first lesson she said, "If you'd started twenty years ago you would have been at the Met." I have no idea if she meant it (of course I assume she didn't - it's only been a year of lessons), but it still made me burst into tears. 25 years of holding something in is a long time. So don't let anyone crush your dreams. You're way better than you think. Take it as a harsh lesson of learning to deal with criticism and plow on ahead anyway. Do it for yourself, and look at it as a gift to give to others who will appreciate it. In the long run, you'll regret it if you don't.
I've been told that I am tone deaf and will never sing, because I don't have a "musical ear". Well, I like to take dares like that and shove them down people's throat. It took me 2.5 fuckin' years to start hearing tones correctly and produce the same tone I hear. Now it's the easy part, after those years I am at the START line ready to go further. Some shoving is about to happen soon. I'm just too stubborn to accept stuff. Always be skeptical. Science is on your side. Whenever someone's telling you shit just check whether that's true. Even if you're bad at something then study it. Do you know why? Whatever you study, you will know whether it's possible to get better at it. Science is independent from whatever people think about it. These are just facts. If facts tell you that you can get better at it... well... there's nothing in the Universe that can just say it's not true and make it not true just by saying it. Oh by the way, to increase my vocal abilities I started rapping in 2009. Today I am the second best rapper in my city. That dare was also fun, but our rap scene is starting to become dumb, so it's time to dedicate everything to singing.
I love your story. It is actually encouraging to everyone who thinks it is too late. As a young girl, I took 3 months of voice lessons. My voice teacher retired, but called my mom to invite me to keep training with her, because she thought I had an operatic voice and had lots of potential. Unfortunately, this would mean going to her house since she was retired ...and she was about 20 minutes out of the way. We were quite poor, so my mom so no thanks. I was crushed. We were a musical family and my sister was encouraged to go far with her musical talent. Given more lessons and support than I was, it seemed. So I grew up with the impression that I'm not a musical person. I came from a family of singers and yet I thought I wasn't very good and avoided most singing opportunities. I never saw myself as a professional singer or a teacher of any kind, but through a series of events, I eventually overcame my timidity, for the most part and today I am a vocal instructor! It has only been 2 years so I have yet to build a successful practice, but I am determined to do it. Maybe the met was not in the cards because you have greater things that need to be done, like teaching those who were as unfortunate as we were. I hope you are well on your way to greater things!!
I still remember, few months ago, when I told one of my friends about my future plans in music, she simply said, " No, you can't sing, you can never sing, you don't even know what music is like, you'll never be a star . " I was really shocked and shattered. I had almost lost my way. But, I've found the lost way when I watched this. Thank you so much, Justin. 😊😊
My negative voice teacher is myself. My actual voice teacher is very supportive. She pushes me because she knows I have potential. She knows I have a voice. It's me that doesn't believe I could ever be good. It prevents me from practicing because I hate that I don't sound good, which is counterproductive. I'm really glad you posted this. It shuts up the negative voice teacher in me.
I owe 90% of my singing to Justin and as for the remaining 10%,again to him If I ever get anywhere with my singing, I'll fly to NYC, just to thank you in person
For many years I didn't dare to sing because my family told me I had a bad voice and I was out of tune. As an adult, no longer living with my family, I started taking singing lessons and I had the opportunity not only to be a chorus for the greatest Italian singers but to sing as a soloist in the theater, squares and auditoriums, which I continue to do with my musicians. I'm even surprised when some friends and colleagues tell me that I'm their favorite singer and it often happens to me that people point me to the songs they would like me to sing. However, even today I feel like the ugly duckling of singing, my family members are gone and have never heard me sing.
One of my favorite videos of Justin's. As a teacher let me tell you, he's absolutely right. There is nothing that anybody cannot learn, provided they have the motivation, discipline and do the work. How long it takes will vary from person to person, but it is utterly impossible to NOT improve at all. As the saying goes, there are no bad students, only bad teachers. If your teacher or some authority figure tells you that you can't do something, THEY'RE wrong, not you.
You know? You are a great gift to Humanity! You’re words are soothing and encouraging. How did you realize that Love is All We Need? Thank you soooo much
I’m balling right now, with inspiration and gratitude and hope. Thank you so much for what you do for everyone. I can’t believe how much this hit me. 40 yrs old and taking a leap of faith that I never had the chance to. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌈🌈
Justin, I love how you are so positive and just a book of knowledge. I came across your videos and have been binge watching for two days now. I tried your advice and they really do work! thank you so much!!!
+New York Vocal Coaching I love your videos!!! My vocal coach is really nice to me I asked her to help me with stuff from your videos and she said I should keep watching them cause I have improved!!
Thank you Soooo much for this.. I'm 47 & still remember the choir teacher in 3rd grade when I wanted to join choir telling me "Nope you're No Good" I've still kept at it. All these years.. Not as bad as I was..but still have much more to learn😊💖
Justin youre the best man i have ever seen! Youre not only teaching the mechanics about singing but you also encourage singers to try harder! Keep up the good work!
To anyone who's ever been told they can't do something take some words of encouragement from Michael Jackson who said: 'always believe in yourself, no matter who around you being negative or thrusting negative energy at you, completely block it off. Because whatever you believe you become' Although he was born with a gift he had many obstacles to overcome. He came from poverty, he fought racism and he worked hard and believed in himself and he is now legendary as the King of pop. He broke every musical record. And anyone who's willing to master their craft of singing or dancing or drawing or whatever you enjoy. You will master it. No one else will have confidence in you, but you and that's where it all starts.
This is me. I sing because I have joy welling up inside and I'm like the birds that all have their own voice. Some more squawking than others! I may have a fairly deep rough damaged voice but I train to sing for the love of God. Just as you say Justin, make a joyful noise!
Thank you for your support my father is always telling me I cant sing don't give up the day job he says it everytime I sing I always said don't make me sing I don't want to. A few months ago I got a song in my head and I was at school it was so embarrassing but my friend herd me and said I'm an okay singer and I was so happy I was blushing and had to leave, I'm no longer scared thanks to you. So I thank you! :D
Justin, I was on the verge of giving up because I couldn't get rid of the 'break' in my voice when I try to mix. I still am not that good, and I am not that talented. But I will not give up, thanks to your video.
What a fantastic message. There are too many people in the world that seem to have this negative reaction to other people who are brave enough to express themselves vocally, and I really believe it's nothing more than jealousy for most of them. Not necessarily jealous because the other person is a fantastic singer, but jealous of that confidence. I think it's disgustion though that someone who claims to be a "professional" teacher is treating people like that. It's inexcusable.
Thank u thank u thank u for this! I've had people tell me discouraging things when I thought I was good and even friends said I was good....to this day I won't sing in front of people...not even family. I'll record myself and send it to friends but I'll never sing in front of people....I just can't. But this pep talm was great. I totally needed it. Thank u so much...if I ever get the courage to sing in front of people, it will be because of u! Thanks Justin! :-)
This was very inspiring. I've been discouraged by a parent by calling me the sibling that can dance and my sister being the one that can sing. That's super frustrating when I secretly wanted to be able to sing. Coming from a music snob type of family means commentary like this is constant. I'm only starting to understand that singing is a skill, like any other, that can be learned through practice. Since every voice is unique, practicing the skill of singing will provide a sound that no other has. Many can learn the guitar and play similarly. But singing? No voice is truly the same. Felt good watching this and discovering your channel :)
Your family must really value accomplishments done at a young age. The reality is, you can start anything at any point in your life, and with enough dedication, you can get yourself to a GREAT level. Society loves to make you feel like your first 18 years are your make it or break it.
Good tip Jason..I too was in an abusive group environment, however, The negative vibes just pushed me to work much harder.... only to later use my learned talent in a friendlier church....
This is by far the best singing video I've ever seen. Words cannot describe my appreciation for this video. I may have given up had it not been for this video. All my life, I've felt like I'm just in a group of people that "can't sing" while the other group who "can sing" have fun with their ability that I can't obtain. I'm ready to do whatever to obtain my true passion which is singing
This was so great. I really needed to hear this. When I was younger I was told I could not sing by a close friend and it ruined my confidence. I was terrified to sing even in church! I've always wanted to sing however; and I'm having a lot of trouble finding a vocal coach because of where I live but you definitely gave me some much needed encouragement.
i find happiness in singing... but my friends and family members truely despise my voice. they are always asking me to stop singing and putting loud music on just so they can't hear my voice. when that happens it feels like my existence is invalid. i don't know why it had to be this way... but i am really thankful for your encouragement. especially the "you must sing" part. good luck!
Donna, Schumann Heink, one of the greatest voices in history, had the same experience and she insisted, because she believed in herself and chose to keep it up. If you have enough guts (or whatever it takes in the human soul), besides a good and honest coach, success will come to greet you sooner or later!
This video needs more views. I'm glad I found your channel, I am not a good singer but I want to be, I will be. I am practicing everyday, I will watch all your videos and continue my practice. Thank you so much for this awesome channel. You're a wonderful teacher.
This was a very inspiring and sweet message to any people out there yearning to be a singer! I know for me personally I've had a hard time whilst taking lessons for the past few months because I've always been a pretty quiet and soft-spoken person and I find it SO difficult to put myself out there and I feel I can't reach many notes in my chest voice :/
Such a wonderful message. Her letter was heartbreaking. I have had headphones in my ears and listening to my music loud since I was 4 or 5. I have to sing along to music even when I'm not a fan. It really is true. If you have it in your heart to sing then you really need to. This was such a great message and I hope she saw this video.
Thank you so much for your beautiful attitude! I have started working with a voice teacher about three months ago and it was very difficult for me at first because i was always thinking it must be unpleasant for him to hear me singing, because he is so obviously much better than i currently am. He is a great teacher though and a very nice and supportive person so i just did my best to study in spite of my worries, and as it goes with learning things, sometimes you study for a while and dont notice much progress and then suddenly all the elements you have been working on come together and so it was that after my last lesson i got the feeling that suddenly i have made such a big step ahead in just one blink of eye and i feel like f... Caruso right now :-D but obviously i am going to keep on facing a lot more challenges during my further studies and while the first initial succes is hopefully going to help me to trust my teacher more, i also think it is a very lovely and encouraging attitude of yours to look at a student with the conviction that he or she is going to learn and to be thinking their potential at a time when the student cannot really imagine yet how much improvement he or she can make. it is great that you seem to regard it as your responsibility to be believe in the potential of your students at a time when they have no actual experience with progress through exercise yet and thus cannot know but at most hope that it is possible
Awesome inspirational lesson. reminds me of music school where criticisms came fast and furious and reinforcement was absent. I know good teachers and bad teachers. Can you tell a bad teacher they shouldn't be a teacher?
I was lucky my teacher was always encouraging me to sing, she was always supporting me, she was a amazing teacher. But, sometimes, I've said this words to myself, and it's as discouraging as a bad teacher telling you you'll never be good. Thanks for this words Justin Stoney. Sorry for my bad english, I hope this words make sense. 😛
SO TRUE! When I announced to my mother that I would be a singer, she told me not to do it, because "my voice wasn't THAT amazing" to provide me a safe and prosperous career. I took my chances, couldn't do otherwise. I firstly started singing in a club, but kept it a secret from home. But when they found out they realized they were proud of me. Never stopped practicing though. My story 's gone on for 18 years thus far of professional singing, and I have many moments that I cherish in my memory.
Thank you so much for this video! I'm a vocal coach, and, I'll be honest, Donna's story made me very upset and angry for her, and I really hope she's moved on and found a better teacher! - I love to encourage my students outside of lessons by sending them relevant youtube videos to watch, and this one is perfect for any of my students with self-confidence issues as it just reaffirms everything I try to say in lessons, so thank you! You're amazing! :)
Thank you so much Lydia for your incredible support for Justin! He is so grateful for your shared dedication to joyful singing, wishing you and your students a wonderful New Year from everyone at NYVC!
Alongside of a normal one, I graduated from a music school, too. Spent 8 years training my voice. I've never been told I can't sing. In fact, I've been often told I sing well. But somehow, I keep feeling extremely nervous and vulnerable about singing to anyone, even my girlfriend or family. I seriously can't figure out where does that stress come from, because no one's ever said anything negative about my voice.
I'll bet your problem is that singing is such s personal thing. It's not like playing the piano, or guitar. When you play an instrument, you have something to hide yourself with. When singing, we are completely exposed, "naked" if you will. It's like our true souls are put out there on display. This is not an easy thing for most of us! I really hope that you can become comfortable with this. Good luck and happy singing!
10 лет назад
Cathy Schwartz Thank you so much for opening my eyes. :) Deep down I've always had the feeling that this is the issue. Most of my life I've caged myself in from people, so it makes complete sense that I couldn't muster up the courage to show myself. It might have been that for many years everyone, including my parents, told me that I should not sing because I cannot make a living off of it, that it's a waste of time. Everyone puts passion aside and money up front. I'm 21 now. I can sigh in relief that at least I'm still young, as a year ago I realized that I will live my life to its' fullest if I do what I love. I believe that step by step, rationally, it is achievable. :) Thank you once more for giving me a pat on the back.
A comment like that is basically the teacher saying “I’m bad at my job and have no ethics.” If he-she doesn’t believe you have the potential to be a good singer what exactly is this teacher charging you for?
To play Devil's advocate: maybe they were trying to say "it will take too long for you to learn to sing so well to make a career out of it". Then, they should say "keep singing for the love of it!" of course I always tell people they can be a singer, but can you be so good that people pay you to sing? Buy your records, go to your shows, form fan clubs even? A lot of people want that career and fame, which is quite different from having a pleasing singing voice and enriching the lives of yourself and those around you
Thank you so much. I always watch your videos for vocal techniques and tips but the best part is the encouragement I get from you. I have been put down almost my whole life, mostly from my family and people that I used to admire, for my constant attempt to sing and even now that I've taking voice lessons for a year now I still get so stressed sometimes and feel like giving up. But you have helped me realize that if I keep trying someday I'll make it. Thank you so much. Bless you, and who knows maybe I'll get the chance someday to get voice lessons from you my friend.
Dear Sir, Thank you for doing what my teacher used to do for us, we were beginners and not very good and some of us got to sing good enough to make our little ones go to sleep, I still do that now with my grand kids and they seem to like it, even I like my singing, Many People have been proving they have talent Dona might be one of them, She needs a real Teacher.
Justin your a god send to so many people you know, because iv gotten your course which I really recommend but you will still learn knowledge etc. On this channel Because in an earlier video you said all these judging contests etc. Imagine how many people stop trying to pursue their dream after they get made out to be a laughing stock, I dislike voice judging programmes to, but it’s like anything in life you just have to practice and as you say Justin their are ways you can totally be an adequate sounding singer becsause a few months ago singing was something I really wanted to and was also a mystery but now that mystery is getting lifted now and am proud to say it is thanks to you Lots of love but I back up Justin’s comments people, don’t listen to any negative comments, be positive fight thru it and I bet them people with the negative comments after voice lessons and exercises and technique work will take back all their comments 😎👍
Thank you for those kind words +Christina Köfer ! If you are ever in New York, be sure to look us up! In the meantime, if you'd like to schedule an online lesson with Justin or any of our teachers here in New York, feel free to visit newyorkvocalcoaching.com! :)
8 лет назад
If anybody would go to New York City, it's my daughter who is a German American and has family in the state of New York, she has taken a dance lesson on Broadway when she was younger...she said that with my chronic pain due to my fibromyalgia etc., it's difficult to walk around NYC...I was there in 1976, 1977, 1986 and 1988....I keep on following your lessons on line and write them down in a notebook since I have this gig in May that I told you about before...it already helped me during our Jam Sessions, learned more from you the last couple of months than in the 5 1/2 years singing lessons that I paid a lot of money for...keep up the good spirit!
Thanks for this encouraging video! A lot of people do get discouraged, especially when its not a talent its a disciple that they have to work at. Awesome video : )
*Hi Coach Justin. I'm really willing to learn how to sing. My friends told me that I have a potential. But others told me the opposite. And I wanted to learn more to develop my singing ability. Is there any way that I can book a coach session with you? To where am I going to inquire?*
