Chris Johnson Vocal Coach

The BIG Difference Between ‘Automatic’ and ‘Habit’ (and Why I Got It Wrong for Years)

If you’re a singer or vocal coach, you’ve probably heard the ‘gear shift’ analogy for negotiating vocal transitions/breaks.

I used to swear by it. Felt like I had control - I could FEEL the shift happening. So, I figured I’d nailed it.

Except… I hadn’t.

The Trade-Off I Didn’t See Coming
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The more I relied on it, the more my voice felt… disjointed.

Other singers didn’t sound like that. Why did I?

I thought I just needed to get better at shifting gears. But really, I was leaving something important behind:

💥 Strength
💥 Freedom
💥 More options for that ‘wow’ factor

Worst of all? I had repeated it so many times that reversing it was a nightmare.

Automatic ≠ Habit
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When singers bring up ‘gear changes,’ we look at them differently now.

They aren’t wrong, but they aren’t the goal. The goal is not needing to manually select your gears.

Real seamless transitions don’t happen from forcing shifts. They happen from indirect factors:

✨ How you sense airflow
✨ How you feel vibration
✨ How you emote

These do the work for you. Like an automatic car - you just put your foot down and GOOOO!

The Habit Trap
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At first glance, making something ‘automatic’ by repeating it seems logical…

But here’s the problem:

❌ When something becomes a **habit**, it locks you into *one* way of doing things.
❌ It removes options.
❌ It distances you from adaptability.

And adaptability is everything in singing, which is my goal with these approaches.

That’s what finally freed me from the ‘gear shift’ trap.

Let’s Talk About It
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Ever felt stuck in this loop? You’re NOT alone.

Coaches/singers - does this resonate? Drop a comment and your thoughts or struggles. I’m here to help!

Artists! Looking forward to joining my friends at VocalizeU for this tomorrow night.

Hop on the post below if you'd like to come... fun and usefulness guaranteed!

Join our FREE Live Talk, March 19th at 1PM PST, where you can have the opportunity to ask Vocal Coach Chris Johnson about your vocal health and more!

Chris is a highly experienced vocal coach who understands the demands on performers today. He has helped thousands of vocalists to be the best possible version of themselves through the highest level service and support.

Chris is trained in vocal manual therapy, massage and myofascial release, Chris also brings these extra skills into his sessions to skip singers over those occasional vocal ‘roadblocks’.

Major label contemporary artists, singer/songwriters, West End lead performers, and vocal coaches all trust him to take good care of their voices, develop their techniques, and bring out all of the style and artistry needed to take on THE career.

Chris was also a co-founder of popular iTunes podcast for singers, The Naked Vocalist, founder of singing teacher training company TeachVoice.com, and his unique teaching style is in-demand from London to Los Angeles.

Mightily impressed with the voice students at LCCM in London Bridge today. Such an engaged and thoughtful bunch.

Plus I got to briefly hang with friend, coach and vocal health champion

Thanks to and for inviting me to talk.

Just about to return home from the Voice Summit in Brisbane. Thanks for flying me over to be a presenter!

Life giving and great to hang with new and old friends. Awesome to share my principles and take in some valuable ideas myself. You should follow the Svara Project for more international voice events!

Thanks to:

Looks like my resonance classes had an impact this week in Brisbane!

Next stop, world peace!!

Wedding singer ‘tricks of the trade’ for the first dance!

We oozed professionalism…

Moody sky in Adelaide today

Singers and flights… do you ‘cover’?

All set to go to and with for the next 2 weeks.

Although you might feel my face furniture from is a bit extra, I can tell you that masks on flights are a total game changer for singers.

EVERY DAMN TIME I flew 11hrs to LA for my voice would be screwed and my throat sore from the dry air and other people breath.

Until (before COVID made it normal) I took the advice of super-singer and tried a

My masked flight to LA that time was tickety-boo! My voice was normal. So now, I never fly without a face covering if I’m going to sing. Never.

Singers… what do you do to stay on top when travelling. If you tend to be vocally ropey after a flight, consider getting yourself a special face covering. It will save your voice!

Australian singers - join myself, , Dr. Ingo Titze, , and many more at the Voice Summit in Brisbane - 21-24 August.

I’ll be doing 5 practical workshop and n voice building + 1 to 1’s on everything modem singers need for technique on the stage. It’s going to be truly IMMERSIVE!!

Tickets are available for single days or the whole week! If you like the info, drop me a comment saying BRISBANE and I’ll get it to you.

SINGERS - WOULD YOU SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ME AND I'LL SEND YOU A FREE VOICE TRAINING GIFT? 🎁

Hi there. I'm doing a bit of research and would really love to hear the thoughts of singers (pro's, semi-pros, artists/writers and band fronts). It's all about what kind of support or training you would value. It's anonymous, no catches at all.

I'll also gift you a free vocal technique workshop to say thanks. Again, no strings.

If you'd be willing to help me understand needs out there, see link in comments for the short mutiple choice survey (approx 2mins). I would be so grateful 🙏🙏🙏 TIA

AUSTRALIA - I'M COMING FOR YA IN AUGUST!!! 🦘🇦🇺

In about a month, I'm going to be landing in Adelaide, and then off Hobart a week later, to provide teacher training with the Australian National Association of Teacher of Singing.

Then I'll be off to Brisbane to connect with Mindy Frandsen Pack and Reena Gupta for the 4 day 'Voice Summit', where I'll be helping singers in all aspects of vocal technique.

Singer or teacher in Australia? See comments if you'd like to find out more about each event or come along!

Singers... would you like a free workshop to accelerate your vocal progress?

To celebrate World Voice Day, this week ONLY I'm giving away my very popular workshop, Voice In Motion. Let me know if you'd like it below and I'll fire it over to your inbox.

"But what's it about?"

Voice In Motion helps singers of ALL levels use movement and their body to instantly improve their voice.
This includes :
✅ Getting past stubborn vocal trouble

✅ Discover ability you didn't know you had

✅ No repetitive scales... just a song segment that you're working on

✅ Noticeable results in 20 minutes or less.

Yes, some people may need vocal exercises to build up their voice... but that shouldn't be the first thing you do. You should first discover what you can change RIGHT NOW, using only your body.

The vast majority of singers realise that there's huge ability already there, and vocal exercises can't bring it out very well. The body and how we position it, can.

This allows you to experience progress quickly and take it straight to the open mic, the big stage or the recording studio.

Want to grab free it before it closes? Let me know below and I'll send it to you.

To help out your singer friends for World Voice Day, share this post so they can join in on the action.

Been thinking about what singers might like to learn next. Had great results with unwanted breathy/airy tone... what do you think?

Great to get out to see something live and direct last night. It’s been too long!

I am blessed to see songs performed every week in the studio, but there’s no comparison to a sell out venue and incredible (not ear piercing) sound. Also seeing someone play guitar like that AND belt it out.

Hats off!