1 00:00:15,436 --> 00:00:26,836 Speaker 1: Pushkin. Hey, y'all, it's justin Richmond. I wanted to share 2 00:00:26,876 --> 00:00:29,876 Speaker 1: something special with you this week. Eric Vitro was the 3 00:00:29,956 --> 00:00:34,396 Speaker 1: voice coach to the stars from Ariana Grande, DeShawn Mendez 4 00:00:34,516 --> 00:00:37,596 Speaker 1: to John Legend. Eric has been by the sides of 5 00:00:37,636 --> 00:00:40,756 Speaker 1: your favorite singers for some of the most iconic moments 6 00:00:40,796 --> 00:00:44,076 Speaker 1: in their careers. He's the person they call in the 7 00:00:44,116 --> 00:00:47,796 Speaker 1: middle of the night that they want backstage at every concert. 8 00:00:48,756 --> 00:00:51,396 Speaker 1: Given all that, I had to talk to him about 9 00:00:51,396 --> 00:00:55,996 Speaker 1: his new podcast, Backstage Pass. On the show, you'll hear 10 00:00:56,196 --> 00:01:00,516 Speaker 1: intimate conversations with Eric's most famous students about their singing process, 11 00:01:00,836 --> 00:01:04,196 Speaker 1: their careers, and how it all intertwines with their lives, 12 00:01:05,196 --> 00:01:08,756 Speaker 1: like Chloe Bailey's transformation from singing that summer camp to 13 00:01:08,796 --> 00:01:13,396 Speaker 1: sing with Beyonce's label, or Rosaliyah on her work ethic 14 00:01:13,596 --> 00:01:18,956 Speaker 1: and how perfectionism and persistence made her career. They'll demonstrate 15 00:01:18,996 --> 00:01:22,676 Speaker 1: favorite vocal exercises, and you'll get tips to improve your 16 00:01:22,676 --> 00:01:27,516 Speaker 1: own singing through all the challenges these stars have experienced. 17 00:01:27,676 --> 00:01:30,396 Speaker 1: I was amazed by the central role Eric Vitro has 18 00:01:30,436 --> 00:01:34,836 Speaker 1: played through it all. Shaw Mendez said it himself. Eric's 19 00:01:34,876 --> 00:01:39,036 Speaker 1: part therapist, part life coach. You can listen to Backstage 20 00:01:39,036 --> 00:01:43,156 Speaker 1: Pass wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, here's my conversation 21 00:01:43,436 --> 00:01:46,396 Speaker 1: with Eric. Can you tell me how did you get 22 00:01:46,436 --> 00:01:49,996 Speaker 1: into the Sign of work? Well, it's so bizarre. When 23 00:01:50,076 --> 00:01:52,436 Speaker 1: I was very young, like in the third or fourth grade, 24 00:01:52,636 --> 00:01:54,996 Speaker 1: every morning we would sing as a class America, the 25 00:01:55,036 --> 00:01:59,356 Speaker 1: Beautiful Star Spangled Banner, the usual, and the teacher was 26 00:01:59,396 --> 00:02:05,036 Speaker 1: a horrible pianist, like it would bet. It was just terrible. 27 00:02:05,436 --> 00:02:07,596 Speaker 1: And I was not a ballsy kid. I didn't have 28 00:02:07,676 --> 00:02:10,116 Speaker 1: that kind of bold personnelity. But I couldn't take it. 29 00:02:10,156 --> 00:02:11,716 Speaker 1: And I went up to her one day and I said, 30 00:02:12,516 --> 00:02:14,996 Speaker 1: you know, I can play those songs if you want. 31 00:02:15,116 --> 00:02:17,516 Speaker 1: I can play them really well and then you won't 32 00:02:17,516 --> 00:02:19,836 Speaker 1: have to And so she said, well, let me hear you. 33 00:02:19,876 --> 00:02:22,076 Speaker 1: And I played them and she was thrilled. She was 34 00:02:22,116 --> 00:02:23,996 Speaker 1: like great, and she made an announcement the next day 35 00:02:23,996 --> 00:02:26,396 Speaker 1: from now on, Eric Viacho's playing, you know, all of 36 00:02:26,436 --> 00:02:29,396 Speaker 1: our songs. And so that's when it started. I started 37 00:02:29,396 --> 00:02:31,916 Speaker 1: playing for the class and then she would say, oh, 38 00:02:31,996 --> 00:02:35,116 Speaker 1: so and so is having trouble singing this song. Could 39 00:02:35,156 --> 00:02:37,276 Speaker 1: you spend a few minutes with them, like during the 40 00:02:37,356 --> 00:02:40,516 Speaker 1: recess time, so I would I'd start teaching kids songs, 41 00:02:40,556 --> 00:02:44,076 Speaker 1: and then I started bringing them home with me and 42 00:02:44,116 --> 00:02:45,676 Speaker 1: I would work on them if they had a little 43 00:02:45,676 --> 00:02:48,796 Speaker 1: audition for the school musical. And by musical I mean 44 00:02:48,956 --> 00:02:52,516 Speaker 1: you know, a five minute skit and class. So literally, 45 00:02:52,676 --> 00:02:55,356 Speaker 1: I have done nothing else my entire life but this. 46 00:02:55,956 --> 00:02:58,476 Speaker 1: You found your calling early, you've stuck to it, you've 47 00:02:58,516 --> 00:03:00,756 Speaker 1: become incredible at it. But now you do have a 48 00:03:00,756 --> 00:03:04,556 Speaker 1: new job, you're a podcaster. Have you learned anything new 49 00:03:04,596 --> 00:03:08,236 Speaker 1: from that or how's that experience been, Like, well, I 50 00:03:08,436 --> 00:03:11,076 Speaker 1: really don't get to myself a my podcaster or yet 51 00:03:12,156 --> 00:03:14,796 Speaker 1: that's kind of hard, and I'm talking to my students, 52 00:03:14,796 --> 00:03:16,796 Speaker 1: so I talked to every day, so it's not really 53 00:03:16,836 --> 00:03:21,316 Speaker 1: a huge change there a big leap. I've learned that 54 00:03:21,356 --> 00:03:25,196 Speaker 1: it's a lot harder than I ever would have imagined 55 00:03:25,236 --> 00:03:28,236 Speaker 1: it to me. Not the interviews. The interviews are great, 56 00:03:28,676 --> 00:03:31,276 Speaker 1: but you know, you're editing. If you've got two hours 57 00:03:31,356 --> 00:03:34,556 Speaker 1: worth of talking to someone and you get kind of 58 00:03:34,676 --> 00:03:36,876 Speaker 1: excited or married to some of the material and you've 59 00:03:36,876 --> 00:03:38,356 Speaker 1: got to cut it down because they're going, now, I 60 00:03:38,436 --> 00:03:40,236 Speaker 1: got to cut it down to thirty minutes or whatever. 61 00:03:40,876 --> 00:03:44,356 Speaker 1: That is really hard for me. Every fiber of my 62 00:03:44,436 --> 00:03:47,476 Speaker 1: being resists listening. Well, first of all, because I don't 63 00:03:47,476 --> 00:03:50,276 Speaker 1: like the way I sound. I don't enjoy my own 64 00:03:50,356 --> 00:03:53,076 Speaker 1: It's not even just my voice, it's just me talking. 65 00:03:53,156 --> 00:03:57,116 Speaker 1: I go, why can't you be more sophisticated? Now, oh 66 00:03:57,156 --> 00:03:59,516 Speaker 1: so when we do this exercise. But I'm just not 67 00:03:59,596 --> 00:04:02,036 Speaker 1: that person. I just can't be that person. But that 68 00:04:02,156 --> 00:04:04,596 Speaker 1: being said, a couple of the people have said things 69 00:04:04,596 --> 00:04:06,916 Speaker 1: that I didn't even know. As well as I know 70 00:04:06,996 --> 00:04:09,396 Speaker 1: these people. I mean I know some of them so well. 71 00:04:09,676 --> 00:04:12,476 Speaker 1: I've worked with you know, Ariana over twelve years, or 72 00:04:12,676 --> 00:04:15,956 Speaker 1: Shawn Mendez for years, Camilla, so many of the people, 73 00:04:16,396 --> 00:04:18,716 Speaker 1: and they have said sing that surprised me, like even 74 00:04:18,756 --> 00:04:21,636 Speaker 1: what's your favorite exercise? And they'll tell me, Like in 75 00:04:21,676 --> 00:04:24,556 Speaker 1: my head, I'm like, really, I have no idea that 76 00:04:24,636 --> 00:04:27,236 Speaker 1: was your favorite exercise. You've never really said that was 77 00:04:27,276 --> 00:04:31,476 Speaker 1: your favorite exercise. So I am actually learning about these people. 78 00:04:31,716 --> 00:04:34,516 Speaker 1: And I'm also learning about some of them about their 79 00:04:34,636 --> 00:04:38,396 Speaker 1: very early days because I never knew what their childhood 80 00:04:38,396 --> 00:04:40,516 Speaker 1: was like. I know them from when I started with them. 81 00:04:40,796 --> 00:04:42,596 Speaker 1: They might have told me if they took lessons or 82 00:04:42,636 --> 00:04:46,196 Speaker 1: saying in school, but they didn't say, you know, oh 83 00:04:46,236 --> 00:04:49,596 Speaker 1: my father played drums on the side or blah blah blah. 84 00:04:49,596 --> 00:04:52,276 Speaker 1: Most of that doesn't really come up in our voice lessons. 85 00:04:52,676 --> 00:04:55,236 Speaker 1: So I'm learning a bit about them, which has really 86 00:04:55,276 --> 00:04:58,036 Speaker 1: been great. All I've ever done is work with people 87 00:04:58,476 --> 00:05:02,436 Speaker 1: and they're singing. I mean, I truthfully have enjoyed it 88 00:05:02,636 --> 00:05:06,276 Speaker 1: more in increments with every single passing year. Like right now, 89 00:05:06,476 --> 00:05:08,556 Speaker 1: If you asked me when is the best time you've 90 00:05:08,556 --> 00:05:11,756 Speaker 1: ever had doing I would say right now, this month. 91 00:05:12,036 --> 00:05:14,076 Speaker 1: You know, right now, How do you feel that you 92 00:05:14,116 --> 00:05:17,036 Speaker 1: were a better vocal coach now than you were even 93 00:05:17,076 --> 00:05:20,596 Speaker 1: two years ago. Well, first of all, I hear where 94 00:05:20,596 --> 00:05:23,996 Speaker 1: someone is starting from and where they get to. So 95 00:05:24,876 --> 00:05:27,756 Speaker 1: you know, if I hear that constant improvement, if I 96 00:05:27,836 --> 00:05:30,076 Speaker 1: hear their voice mature and sound better and better, if 97 00:05:30,116 --> 00:05:33,596 Speaker 1: I see their range get wider, they start singing higher notes, 98 00:05:33,716 --> 00:05:36,276 Speaker 1: or you know, the lucky ones get up into that 99 00:05:36,316 --> 00:05:39,956 Speaker 1: whistle register, or they sing lower notes deeper and stronger. 100 00:05:40,156 --> 00:05:43,876 Speaker 1: To me, that is the exciting part. I love that. Now. 101 00:05:44,356 --> 00:05:47,436 Speaker 1: Icing on the cake would be that they get good reviews, 102 00:05:47,796 --> 00:05:49,996 Speaker 1: or people stop and tell me, hey, so and so 103 00:05:50,116 --> 00:05:52,356 Speaker 1: is sounding so great, or I saw them on such 104 00:05:52,396 --> 00:05:54,076 Speaker 1: and such a show or the awards show. I heard 105 00:05:54,116 --> 00:05:56,716 Speaker 1: him on the Grammys. They sounded amazing, so of course 106 00:05:56,876 --> 00:06:01,116 Speaker 1: that is thrilling to me. And if they win awards 107 00:06:01,356 --> 00:06:03,916 Speaker 1: for their singing, then of course that's also thrilling. But 108 00:06:03,996 --> 00:06:06,996 Speaker 1: that's all I seen on the cake because, like I said, 109 00:06:07,036 --> 00:06:08,916 Speaker 1: I'm the only one who knows how far they've come, 110 00:06:09,276 --> 00:06:13,516 Speaker 1: the only one who knows the obstacles that they've overcome, 111 00:06:13,636 --> 00:06:16,516 Speaker 1: that they've broken through. Some people have, you know, mental 112 00:06:16,556 --> 00:06:19,676 Speaker 1: barriers that stop them from doing their best. They might 113 00:06:19,716 --> 00:06:22,916 Speaker 1: sound great in a lesson and then freeze in front 114 00:06:22,916 --> 00:06:24,796 Speaker 1: of an audience or freeze in front of a camera. 115 00:06:25,036 --> 00:06:27,156 Speaker 1: So if I can get them over the humps so 116 00:06:27,236 --> 00:06:29,436 Speaker 1: that they are set free and they are able to 117 00:06:29,436 --> 00:06:32,516 Speaker 1: sing their best when it's really important in front of 118 00:06:32,516 --> 00:06:36,116 Speaker 1: an audience, then that to me is really thrilling. I wonder, 119 00:06:36,396 --> 00:06:39,956 Speaker 1: what said some part a great singer from from you 120 00:06:39,996 --> 00:06:43,876 Speaker 1: know average singer? Well, you know, that's a tricky question 121 00:06:43,956 --> 00:06:49,436 Speaker 1: because different singers and singers who are singing in different styles, 122 00:06:50,116 --> 00:06:53,116 Speaker 1: you know, have different goals, I suppose, but I would 123 00:06:53,156 --> 00:06:55,996 Speaker 1: say I try to focus on everything, all of it, 124 00:06:56,276 --> 00:06:59,236 Speaker 1: so always starting with the technical. How can we make 125 00:06:59,476 --> 00:07:02,876 Speaker 1: this sound it's very best, and how can we make 126 00:07:02,876 --> 00:07:06,076 Speaker 1: it the easiest so it's going to be sustainable for 127 00:07:06,116 --> 00:07:08,996 Speaker 1: them to sing live. A lot of times they'll record 128 00:07:09,156 --> 00:07:11,756 Speaker 1: a song and then I go, Okay, my job is 129 00:07:11,796 --> 00:07:14,156 Speaker 1: now to get you to sound as good live as 130 00:07:14,196 --> 00:07:16,356 Speaker 1: you do on the recording and be able to do 131 00:07:16,396 --> 00:07:18,996 Speaker 1: it night after night, and not just night after night, 132 00:07:19,036 --> 00:07:23,436 Speaker 1: but after a full day of interviews, talk shows, meet 133 00:07:23,476 --> 00:07:27,196 Speaker 1: and greets, all sorts of things that they have to do, photoshoots, 134 00:07:27,236 --> 00:07:29,316 Speaker 1: you know, and then get on stage and do it. 135 00:07:29,716 --> 00:07:31,836 Speaker 1: So but I try to focus on everything, so it's 136 00:07:31,836 --> 00:07:34,596 Speaker 1: the technical first, getting it to sound as good as 137 00:07:34,596 --> 00:07:38,036 Speaker 1: it can, making it as easy as possible that you know, 138 00:07:38,076 --> 00:07:40,916 Speaker 1: A big part of technique is for someone to understand 139 00:07:41,476 --> 00:07:43,956 Speaker 1: where do I place it, how do I support it, 140 00:07:43,996 --> 00:07:45,756 Speaker 1: where do I place it so I can get to 141 00:07:45,836 --> 00:07:48,676 Speaker 1: that sweet spot so it sounds really good, so that 142 00:07:48,716 --> 00:07:51,876 Speaker 1: they can access that immediately even when they're nervous or 143 00:07:51,916 --> 00:07:55,236 Speaker 1: they're distracted. That's really important. That's what technique is all about. 144 00:07:55,636 --> 00:07:59,036 Speaker 1: And then once they do that, then I really try 145 00:07:59,036 --> 00:08:01,036 Speaker 1: to work on how can you really get to the 146 00:08:01,036 --> 00:08:04,036 Speaker 1: heart of the song, because even if you've written it yourself, 147 00:08:04,076 --> 00:08:07,716 Speaker 1: you sing it, you know, in front of people, sometimes 148 00:08:07,796 --> 00:08:09,876 Speaker 1: a lot of the emotion goes out the window because 149 00:08:10,076 --> 00:08:12,076 Speaker 1: you're nervous. You're looking out at the front row and 150 00:08:12,076 --> 00:08:14,796 Speaker 1: you're seeing all these famous people like in an award show, 151 00:08:15,076 --> 00:08:17,276 Speaker 1: you know, people you might really look up to, people 152 00:08:17,276 --> 00:08:20,436 Speaker 1: who you've idolized, and that's nerve wracking. So I always say, 153 00:08:20,716 --> 00:08:22,476 Speaker 1: let's really try to get to the heart of it. 154 00:08:22,516 --> 00:08:25,596 Speaker 1: What are these lyrics saying? What were you thinking when 155 00:08:25,636 --> 00:08:27,956 Speaker 1: you did write them, or if you didn't write them, 156 00:08:28,956 --> 00:08:31,396 Speaker 1: How can you make this so you really feel like 157 00:08:31,436 --> 00:08:34,916 Speaker 1: you did even though so and so rodem these really 158 00:08:34,956 --> 00:08:37,876 Speaker 1: belong to me? Now? Is there an episode of the 159 00:08:37,916 --> 00:08:42,476 Speaker 1: podcast where you talk about breakthrough moments? Yeah? Yeah, there's 160 00:08:42,516 --> 00:08:46,436 Speaker 1: a couple, you know, I mean, it's interesting each one. 161 00:08:46,796 --> 00:08:49,476 Speaker 1: We talk about some similar things and then some different things, 162 00:08:49,636 --> 00:08:52,996 Speaker 1: you know, like Camila Cabello actually gives an example of 163 00:08:53,116 --> 00:08:55,316 Speaker 1: there was a line in a song that she just 164 00:08:55,316 --> 00:08:57,716 Speaker 1: couldn't hit the note. She would really tense up, get 165 00:08:57,756 --> 00:09:00,316 Speaker 1: really tight, and then she talks about how the things 166 00:09:00,316 --> 00:09:02,836 Speaker 1: we talked about, the techniques we use to relax her 167 00:09:02,916 --> 00:09:07,156 Speaker 1: so that then she could hit the note freely and easily. So, yeah, 168 00:09:07,196 --> 00:09:09,996 Speaker 1: We do talk about those things because you know, some 169 00:09:10,076 --> 00:09:12,356 Speaker 1: of it's mental, some of it's physical. You know, some 170 00:09:12,436 --> 00:09:15,156 Speaker 1: of it's just getting better breadth support, some of it 171 00:09:15,276 --> 00:09:19,356 Speaker 1: is realigning your posture, and some of it is just mentally. 172 00:09:20,036 --> 00:09:23,676 Speaker 1: What is going to help you? What can you think 173 00:09:23,756 --> 00:09:26,196 Speaker 1: that's going to help you hit this note? Can you 174 00:09:26,556 --> 00:09:32,076 Speaker 1: pretty quickly tell where a person needs the most help? Usually, yes, 175 00:09:32,356 --> 00:09:37,116 Speaker 1: very quickly. However, sometimes it reveals itself a little more slowly. 176 00:09:37,596 --> 00:09:40,236 Speaker 1: You know, once I start to get to know someone, 177 00:09:40,276 --> 00:09:44,556 Speaker 1: then I start getting into you know, their world and 178 00:09:44,756 --> 00:09:47,556 Speaker 1: what it is, what makes them nervous, what makes them happy, 179 00:09:47,636 --> 00:09:51,196 Speaker 1: what makes them feel free, what doesn't. So I would 180 00:09:51,236 --> 00:09:54,436 Speaker 1: say usually I can get it pretty quickly, but then 181 00:09:54,636 --> 00:09:57,116 Speaker 1: as time goes on, I get to those deeper levels. 182 00:09:57,276 --> 00:10:00,436 Speaker 1: Got it. I'm amazed how much you talk about the 183 00:10:00,476 --> 00:10:03,676 Speaker 1: emotional and mental work of singing. You know, well, I 184 00:10:03,716 --> 00:10:05,756 Speaker 1: think it's just a huge part of it. You know, 185 00:10:06,236 --> 00:10:08,716 Speaker 1: our emotions really affect our voice. Just think about it. 186 00:10:08,756 --> 00:10:10,956 Speaker 1: If you're telling someone, let's say you're going to break 187 00:10:11,036 --> 00:10:13,356 Speaker 1: up with someone and it's really gonna be hard because 188 00:10:13,356 --> 00:10:15,396 Speaker 1: you really care about that person, but it's just not 189 00:10:15,436 --> 00:10:18,876 Speaker 1: working out. You know, they really love you. They don't 190 00:10:18,916 --> 00:10:20,396 Speaker 1: want to break up. This is going to come as 191 00:10:20,436 --> 00:10:25,036 Speaker 1: a real shock and just devastate them. So you might 192 00:10:25,076 --> 00:10:27,756 Speaker 1: start talking and you get choked up. You can't even talk, 193 00:10:27,916 --> 00:10:31,636 Speaker 1: you know. Well, that is just one example of how 194 00:10:31,676 --> 00:10:34,436 Speaker 1: our emotions affect our voice. So you can imagine someone 195 00:10:34,516 --> 00:10:37,756 Speaker 1: really nervous, everything might constrict and get tight and their 196 00:10:37,836 --> 00:10:41,396 Speaker 1: voice might not come out, you know, and or someone 197 00:10:41,476 --> 00:10:44,316 Speaker 1: I've seen the opposite where someone is so relaxed and 198 00:10:44,436 --> 00:10:48,996 Speaker 1: feel so confident, but once again, it's devoid of that urgency. 199 00:10:49,156 --> 00:10:52,876 Speaker 1: It's devoid. Like John Legend on my podcast talked about 200 00:10:52,956 --> 00:10:55,756 Speaker 1: the difference between you know, having a great voice, but 201 00:10:55,876 --> 00:11:02,236 Speaker 1: singing with urgency and singing with sincerity and really making 202 00:11:02,276 --> 00:11:05,356 Speaker 1: it an emotional moment as opposed to just oh it's 203 00:11:05,356 --> 00:11:08,476 Speaker 1: a beautiful moment. That's a beautiful voice. That's interesting. I 204 00:11:08,476 --> 00:11:10,956 Speaker 1: feel like if I think about John Legend's career, I 205 00:11:10,996 --> 00:11:13,636 Speaker 1: do feel like he sings with a bit more urgency 206 00:11:13,716 --> 00:11:15,796 Speaker 1: than and I love his early work as well. I 207 00:11:15,876 --> 00:11:20,276 Speaker 1: love all of it. That first album he did it 208 00:11:20,396 --> 00:11:22,196 Speaker 1: was very like, I mean, you're like, man, this guy 209 00:11:22,316 --> 00:11:25,076 Speaker 1: is comfortable, you know, like he is well, yeah, I 210 00:11:25,116 --> 00:11:29,756 Speaker 1: think he's an example of someone who is cool and 211 00:11:29,836 --> 00:11:33,316 Speaker 1: confident and yet does have a really big heart, and 212 00:11:33,316 --> 00:11:36,236 Speaker 1: so that comes through and when he sings those all 213 00:11:36,276 --> 00:11:38,436 Speaker 1: of me. You know, of course he wrote it for 214 00:11:38,476 --> 00:11:40,476 Speaker 1: his wife, so that's a big part of it that 215 00:11:40,516 --> 00:11:42,956 Speaker 1: he's thinking of her. But you know, when I hear 216 00:11:43,036 --> 00:11:45,916 Speaker 1: that song, I just melt. I just think it's so beautiful. 217 00:11:46,156 --> 00:11:49,116 Speaker 1: And it's not just because his voice sounds beautiful, but 218 00:11:49,156 --> 00:11:52,076 Speaker 1: it's you can tell he really means it. He really 219 00:11:52,156 --> 00:11:54,916 Speaker 1: means all of those words. And I think when people 220 00:11:55,556 --> 00:11:59,876 Speaker 1: can really get into that space, they almost lose themselves 221 00:11:59,876 --> 00:12:02,196 Speaker 1: that it's almost not for the audience anymore. They're just 222 00:12:02,316 --> 00:12:05,436 Speaker 1: living it at that moment. They're living in that moment 223 00:12:07,556 --> 00:12:11,556 Speaker 1: when someone like John Legend, Indoor, Ariana Grande or Mariah 224 00:12:11,636 --> 00:12:14,396 Speaker 1: Carey might come through your doors looking to work on something. 225 00:12:14,436 --> 00:12:18,636 Speaker 1: I mean, like these are like world class singers, like 226 00:12:19,036 --> 00:12:23,396 Speaker 1: they can sing. You know, what do you work on 227 00:12:23,476 --> 00:12:25,196 Speaker 1: with people? Well, let me ask you. Have you ever 228 00:12:25,236 --> 00:12:28,756 Speaker 1: watched a boxing match ever? And you're like, Okay, have 229 00:12:28,836 --> 00:12:31,196 Speaker 1: you ever said what is the trainer doing there in 230 00:12:31,236 --> 00:12:33,636 Speaker 1: the corner? What's he whispering in his ear? The bottom 231 00:12:33,676 --> 00:12:36,676 Speaker 1: line is, look, these people a lot of these people 232 00:12:36,676 --> 00:12:38,676 Speaker 1: and these people you've mentioned that I work with it's 233 00:12:38,716 --> 00:12:42,196 Speaker 1: Ariana John Whatever. They're great, There's no question about it. 234 00:12:42,196 --> 00:12:45,596 Speaker 1: They're not great because of me. They're great. However, when 235 00:12:45,596 --> 00:12:48,116 Speaker 1: you have a coach, it's too how can I best 236 00:12:48,156 --> 00:12:52,076 Speaker 1: maintain my instrument? How can I work on my instrument? 237 00:12:52,236 --> 00:12:55,116 Speaker 1: So it's better than ever, So it's highly tuned. I mean, 238 00:12:55,196 --> 00:12:57,756 Speaker 1: you can get the most expensive car on the planet, 239 00:12:57,916 --> 00:12:59,956 Speaker 1: you still got to get a tune up. You know, 240 00:12:59,996 --> 00:13:02,356 Speaker 1: you still got to rotate those tires. So that's what 241 00:13:02,436 --> 00:13:05,316 Speaker 1: I'm doing. I'm tuning up, I'm rotating the tires, I'm 242 00:13:05,396 --> 00:13:09,196 Speaker 1: keeping it in shape. I'm helping them. Sometimes it's just 243 00:13:09,396 --> 00:13:12,436 Speaker 1: remember the things to do because they might forget they 244 00:13:12,436 --> 00:13:16,356 Speaker 1: have a lot going on. Or I try to inspire 245 00:13:16,436 --> 00:13:19,996 Speaker 1: them with different exercises, new and different ones so they're 246 00:13:19,996 --> 00:13:21,996 Speaker 1: not doing the same one, so they're working their voice 247 00:13:21,996 --> 00:13:25,236 Speaker 1: in a different way. That usually really excites people. But 248 00:13:25,356 --> 00:13:27,436 Speaker 1: like I said, no one ever thinks twice about a 249 00:13:27,476 --> 00:13:32,196 Speaker 1: sports coach being around. So I think everybody needs an 250 00:13:32,196 --> 00:13:36,116 Speaker 1: outside ear and an outside eye that they can trust 251 00:13:36,716 --> 00:13:39,876 Speaker 1: that says, oh that's great, do it like that? You know, 252 00:13:39,916 --> 00:13:41,796 Speaker 1: I think that could be a little bit better. Ladies 253 00:13:41,796 --> 00:13:45,796 Speaker 1: and gentlemen, the world's best vocal coach. Thank you for 254 00:13:46,316 --> 00:13:51,876 Speaker 1: know the one of not the justin. This has been 255 00:13:51,916 --> 00:13:54,916 Speaker 1: so great. I've really enjoyed it. Take care, Thanks man bye. 256 00:13:55,236 --> 00:13:57,596 Speaker 1: Thanks so much to Eric for coming on Broken Record 257 00:13:57,676 --> 00:14:00,276 Speaker 1: to talk about his new show. Now, I want to 258 00:14:00,316 --> 00:14:03,436 Speaker 1: give you a sample of Backstage Pass. In this episode, 259 00:14:03,716 --> 00:14:06,596 Speaker 1: Ariana grond It talks to Eric about her vocal range, 260 00:14:06,996 --> 00:14:11,316 Speaker 1: how Broadway influences her music touring, and the struggles of 261 00:14:11,396 --> 00:14:14,036 Speaker 1: perfect pitch and how can be both a blessing and 262 00:14:14,156 --> 00:14:18,396 Speaker 1: a curse. You can hear more Backstage Pass episodes wherever 263 00:14:18,436 --> 00:14:22,436 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts. Here's the episode. I had asked 264 00:14:22,436 --> 00:14:24,996 Speaker 1: you which was your favorite vocal exercises, and you said 265 00:14:24,996 --> 00:14:27,636 Speaker 1: the roller coasters up and down. Can you give an 266 00:14:27,676 --> 00:14:34,716 Speaker 1: example of that so people know what you were talking about. Oh, okay, 267 00:14:34,796 --> 00:14:43,276 Speaker 1: aim high on the low note, very quiet? He well, perfect, 268 00:14:43,556 --> 00:14:46,916 Speaker 1: much better, much better better. I needed to stretch it out. 269 00:14:47,476 --> 00:14:51,156 Speaker 1: That was Ariana Grande singing. She may be world famous 270 00:14:51,196 --> 00:14:54,436 Speaker 1: for her spectacular voice, but that's really just one part 271 00:14:54,476 --> 00:14:57,396 Speaker 1: of who she is. She's also one of the sweetest 272 00:14:57,396 --> 00:14:59,876 Speaker 1: and most caring people I know. So when I asked 273 00:14:59,876 --> 00:15:01,876 Speaker 1: her if she'd be down to demonstrate how a voice 274 00:15:01,916 --> 00:15:08,196 Speaker 1: lesson works. She said, sure, which is a good. Whatever 275 00:15:08,196 --> 00:15:14,636 Speaker 1: you want there, Let's try this on a wee wee 276 00:15:14,796 --> 00:15:18,516 Speaker 1: wee wee wee wee. Then I might say, give it 277 00:15:18,556 --> 00:15:21,756 Speaker 1: a little more support on the high note. Wee wee 278 00:15:21,756 --> 00:15:26,316 Speaker 1: wee wee wee. Now just to loosen up your shoulders. 279 00:15:27,676 --> 00:15:34,316 Speaker 1: Wee wee wee wee wee more, Oh my gosh, we 280 00:15:34,556 --> 00:15:41,476 Speaker 1: we wee wee wee. You're probably more familiar with hearing 281 00:15:41,556 --> 00:15:45,996 Speaker 1: her singing songs than exercises songs like positions dangerous woman, 282 00:15:46,276 --> 00:15:48,916 Speaker 1: thank you, next, God is a woman? You know. There's 283 00:15:48,916 --> 00:15:50,796 Speaker 1: a lot of hits in there, so I won't keep 284 00:15:50,876 --> 00:15:53,676 Speaker 1: going with that. You might have grown up with her 285 00:15:53,676 --> 00:15:57,076 Speaker 1: on Nickelodeon, where she played the adorable book shall we say, 286 00:15:57,276 --> 00:16:01,276 Speaker 1: very dimwitted Cat Valentine on the show Victorious, or you 287 00:16:01,436 --> 00:16:03,836 Speaker 1: might have actually seen her on Broadway, where she first 288 00:16:03,916 --> 00:16:10,836 Speaker 1: got her start in the musical Thirteen Day. And then 289 00:16:10,916 --> 00:16:13,116 Speaker 1: if I thought, well, she's sounded a little not you, 290 00:16:13,196 --> 00:16:15,636 Speaker 1: because you don't ever get stiff. But let's say something 291 00:16:15,836 --> 00:16:19,516 Speaker 1: was feeling stiff or whatever, I'd say, hey, move around 292 00:16:19,676 --> 00:16:23,916 Speaker 1: loosen up your body a little bit. I'm so stubborn 293 00:16:23,956 --> 00:16:25,716 Speaker 1: when you ask me to move, I'm always like, I 294 00:16:25,796 --> 00:16:31,436 Speaker 1: don't want to flail around. He I'm waving my arms now, 295 00:16:31,516 --> 00:16:34,596 Speaker 1: just so everyone can visualize. Yeah, it's not just stubborn 296 00:16:34,716 --> 00:16:41,236 Speaker 1: on that. Hey, There's been times when I've given you 297 00:16:41,276 --> 00:16:43,876 Speaker 1: an exercise and you I told someone this one time. 298 00:16:43,876 --> 00:16:46,036 Speaker 1: I said, Yeah. There's times I'll say I'll play in 299 00:16:46,156 --> 00:16:49,276 Speaker 1: it and you'll go I'm literally like, Eric, that's insane. 300 00:16:50,276 --> 00:16:54,876 Speaker 1: It'll literally be like no, no, no, no, no, no no, 301 00:16:57,956 --> 00:17:00,956 Speaker 1: And I'm like, Eric, that's seventy eight notes. I don't 302 00:17:00,996 --> 00:17:03,156 Speaker 1: have time that's a whole or have to sing God 303 00:17:03,196 --> 00:17:05,276 Speaker 1: as a woman in four minutes. I don't have this 304 00:17:05,436 --> 00:17:11,956 Speaker 1: kind of time, babe. This is backstage pass. I'm Eric Vitro. 305 00:17:16,436 --> 00:17:19,596 Speaker 1: In this podcast, I'm inviting you into my studio to 306 00:17:19,716 --> 00:17:22,236 Speaker 1: hear how some of the most successful and famous singers 307 00:17:22,316 --> 00:17:25,276 Speaker 1: work on their craft, the art of singing. They also 308 00:17:25,356 --> 00:17:27,396 Speaker 1: happen to be students of mine, so I have to 309 00:17:27,476 --> 00:17:30,316 Speaker 1: say I know them pretty well. We'll talk about everything 310 00:17:30,556 --> 00:17:34,196 Speaker 1: their vocal process, their careers, how their emotional life affects 311 00:17:34,276 --> 00:17:37,676 Speaker 1: their voice, and how it all intertwines with their lives. 312 00:17:39,876 --> 00:17:42,596 Speaker 1: For me, being a vocal coach is all about listening 313 00:17:42,756 --> 00:17:45,476 Speaker 1: and thinking on my feet. I ask a student to 314 00:17:45,556 --> 00:17:48,836 Speaker 1: do a vocal exercise, and then how their voice responds 315 00:17:48,956 --> 00:17:52,396 Speaker 1: determines what the next exercise should be. I have to 316 00:17:52,436 --> 00:17:54,796 Speaker 1: ask myself a lot of questions along the way. How 317 00:17:54,836 --> 00:17:57,116 Speaker 1: does their voice sound at that moment, or how did 318 00:17:57,156 --> 00:18:00,316 Speaker 1: it react to the exercise. What I hear tells me 319 00:18:00,436 --> 00:18:03,676 Speaker 1: what my student needs at that moment. I'm so glad 320 00:18:03,716 --> 00:18:06,316 Speaker 1: we just did that because now people can understand that's 321 00:18:06,356 --> 00:18:10,316 Speaker 1: how a voice lesson works. I've learned by doing it, 322 00:18:10,556 --> 00:18:12,916 Speaker 1: because you're now singing an a cappella. I think it 323 00:18:12,996 --> 00:18:16,556 Speaker 1: improves people's ears because they're really hearing themselves. Oh yeah, 324 00:18:16,636 --> 00:18:18,676 Speaker 1: it's not fun. Yeah, and they're singing along with the 325 00:18:18,756 --> 00:18:22,156 Speaker 1: piano they don't even know, like the little tiny things 326 00:18:22,196 --> 00:18:24,796 Speaker 1: where it goes a little in and out. Arianna and 327 00:18:24,916 --> 00:18:27,716 Speaker 1: I have been working together for over fourteen years now, 328 00:18:27,916 --> 00:18:30,196 Speaker 1: well maybe even more. I think we met in two 329 00:18:30,276 --> 00:18:33,356 Speaker 1: thousand and seven. We don't always spend all of our 330 00:18:33,436 --> 00:18:35,636 Speaker 1: time with singing lessons, though, I mean we've had some 331 00:18:35,836 --> 00:18:40,316 Speaker 1: great conversations and we've spent some really fun holidays together. Guys, 332 00:18:40,436 --> 00:18:47,316 Speaker 1: we painted each other mugg Are we okay? Yeah? I 333 00:18:47,396 --> 00:18:50,956 Speaker 1: think we are okay because it was really fun, no surprise. 334 00:18:51,076 --> 00:18:54,556 Speaker 1: The one she painted was gorgeous and amazing and creative, 335 00:18:55,076 --> 00:18:58,276 Speaker 1: and mine was okay. But let's rewind. Let's go back 336 00:18:58,356 --> 00:19:02,276 Speaker 1: to the beginning, because of course her journey started before hours, 337 00:19:02,356 --> 00:19:07,436 Speaker 1: did Now, didn't your grandmother take you to your first audition? Yeah? 338 00:19:07,516 --> 00:19:10,636 Speaker 1: So Nona took me to audition to sing the national 339 00:19:10,676 --> 00:19:14,756 Speaker 1: anthem at the Panthers game. That was a really cool moment. 340 00:19:14,956 --> 00:19:19,036 Speaker 1: I remember singing on the ice and being freezing cold, 341 00:19:19,796 --> 00:19:22,716 Speaker 1: and it was like my first real gig. And I 342 00:19:22,836 --> 00:19:28,316 Speaker 1: sang the national anthem for the Panthers, my hometown, Florida's 343 00:19:28,836 --> 00:19:44,276 Speaker 1: hockey team. Oh say, can you see Bye Thesy At 344 00:19:44,356 --> 00:19:46,556 Speaker 1: this point, she's only eight years old, but if you 345 00:19:46,716 --> 00:19:49,716 Speaker 1: could see her, watch her when she sings this. She 346 00:19:49,796 --> 00:19:52,596 Speaker 1: has this beautiful look in her eyes, and she's already 347 00:19:52,636 --> 00:19:55,796 Speaker 1: connected with the audience. You can really predict she's going 348 00:19:55,836 --> 00:19:58,916 Speaker 1: to go somewhere with this singing thing. And it was 349 00:19:58,956 --> 00:20:00,516 Speaker 1: so fun because I used to go to the games 350 00:20:00,516 --> 00:20:03,076 Speaker 1: all the time anyway as a kid. My parents would 351 00:20:03,116 --> 00:20:05,996 Speaker 1: take me and I had really bad luck. I was 352 00:20:06,156 --> 00:20:09,836 Speaker 1: hit by the puck like twice, and so I got 353 00:20:09,916 --> 00:20:13,996 Speaker 1: to ride the zamboni like because they felt bad because 354 00:20:14,076 --> 00:20:16,516 Speaker 1: my wrist was like broken and mangled, and I was 355 00:20:16,556 --> 00:20:21,396 Speaker 1: like sad. So I was already a huge Panthers fan 356 00:20:21,636 --> 00:20:23,876 Speaker 1: growing up, so getting to sing and having that be 357 00:20:24,036 --> 00:20:26,916 Speaker 1: my first like real gig kind of was so sweet 358 00:20:26,996 --> 00:20:29,556 Speaker 1: and so special and so yeah, it was really cool. 359 00:20:29,716 --> 00:20:31,956 Speaker 1: And I remember finishing and being like, I want to 360 00:20:31,956 --> 00:20:35,076 Speaker 1: do it again, only you would get hit to. No, 361 00:20:35,916 --> 00:20:39,036 Speaker 1: that is my total luck. That really set the pace here. 362 00:20:39,276 --> 00:20:43,836 Speaker 1: It sure did. But really, Arianna says the bar high 363 00:20:43,876 --> 00:20:46,556 Speaker 1: with everything she does. I mean, have you heard this 364 00:20:46,636 --> 00:20:49,396 Speaker 1: girl saying I Have Nothing? By Whitney Houston. It's one 365 00:20:49,436 --> 00:20:52,836 Speaker 1: of the hardest pop songs there is. Yeah, yeah, yeah, 366 00:20:52,876 --> 00:20:56,076 Speaker 1: I love that song. That's always one of my favorites. 367 00:20:56,236 --> 00:20:58,196 Speaker 1: That was one of our first songs that we did 368 00:20:58,276 --> 00:21:00,476 Speaker 1: together when we had our one of our first lessons, right, 369 00:21:00,876 --> 00:21:03,956 Speaker 1: yeah exactly. I remember I always think of you with 370 00:21:04,116 --> 00:21:06,196 Speaker 1: that song and how great it was. I think it's 371 00:21:06,276 --> 00:21:08,036 Speaker 1: one of the best songs ever written. I love that 372 00:21:08,156 --> 00:21:10,476 Speaker 1: song so much. And then when David Foster came and 373 00:21:10,596 --> 00:21:12,636 Speaker 1: played the piano for you that night. I remember it. 374 00:21:14,116 --> 00:21:17,436 Speaker 1: For anyone who doesn't know, David Foster is a hugely 375 00:21:17,596 --> 00:21:22,036 Speaker 1: successful songwriter and producer. His really long, long list of 376 00:21:22,076 --> 00:21:26,316 Speaker 1: collaborations includes artists like Slean, diond Whitney, Houston, Michael Boblet. 377 00:21:26,436 --> 00:21:29,436 Speaker 1: The list is endless. That was so insane. I remember 378 00:21:29,716 --> 00:21:32,956 Speaker 1: being like so in awe and just so shook that 379 00:21:33,076 --> 00:21:35,836 Speaker 1: that happened. This was obviously a way later for those 380 00:21:35,956 --> 00:21:38,876 Speaker 1: listening who don't know the context. This was after thirteen 381 00:21:39,036 --> 00:21:41,476 Speaker 1: and after I met Eric and he had introduced me 382 00:21:41,556 --> 00:21:43,116 Speaker 1: to David and I got to sing it with him, 383 00:21:43,796 --> 00:21:49,756 Speaker 1: and that was a really cool thing. That was at 384 00:21:49,796 --> 00:21:51,676 Speaker 1: the Forum. But you're also saying it at my house 385 00:21:51,756 --> 00:21:55,396 Speaker 1: at parties. The only parties, just for context, that I've 386 00:21:55,436 --> 00:21:57,076 Speaker 1: ever been to in my entire life, have all been 387 00:21:57,156 --> 00:22:01,596 Speaker 1: Eric Vitro parties. That's just so everyone knows. I have 388 00:22:01,716 --> 00:22:04,236 Speaker 1: been to four parties in my life and they've all 389 00:22:04,276 --> 00:22:07,956 Speaker 1: been Eric Vitro parties. Not true, it is. I promise 390 00:22:08,156 --> 00:22:10,436 Speaker 1: they were the best. It's so much fun. There's always 391 00:22:10,436 --> 00:22:13,356 Speaker 1: so much music and so much singing and great company. 392 00:22:13,476 --> 00:22:17,116 Speaker 1: So I gotta tell you, there's something really so special 393 00:22:17,156 --> 00:22:19,996 Speaker 1: about seeing Ariana sing in an intimate setting, you know, 394 00:22:20,156 --> 00:22:23,196 Speaker 1: in a house or in a backyard at a small party. 395 00:22:23,276 --> 00:22:25,396 Speaker 1: Of course, not all of the parties we had were 396 00:22:25,436 --> 00:22:27,876 Speaker 1: small and cozy. For one of them that her mom, 397 00:22:27,996 --> 00:22:31,076 Speaker 1: Joan and I threw together, we actually crammed about three 398 00:22:31,196 --> 00:22:33,916 Speaker 1: hundred people in a gigantic tent we put up covering 399 00:22:33,996 --> 00:22:37,596 Speaker 1: my tennis court. We brought in all white sofas and chairs. 400 00:22:37,956 --> 00:22:40,596 Speaker 1: We placed a gorgeous grand piano right in the center 401 00:22:40,676 --> 00:22:43,116 Speaker 1: behind the pool, and the pool was filled with floating 402 00:22:43,156 --> 00:22:46,996 Speaker 1: white candles. So it was pretty magical. But whether she's 403 00:22:47,036 --> 00:22:49,836 Speaker 1: at a stadium with fifty thousand people or in a tent, 404 00:22:50,596 --> 00:22:54,156 Speaker 1: anytime that Ariana is singing, she brings her all, even 405 00:22:54,196 --> 00:23:07,636 Speaker 1: when she's doing karaoke with friends. Oh my god, that 406 00:23:07,796 --> 00:23:10,116 Speaker 1: was the best night of my life. That was so 407 00:23:10,556 --> 00:23:14,356 Speaker 1: much fun, and I remembered I was mesmerized because well, 408 00:23:14,396 --> 00:23:17,556 Speaker 1: first of all, you knew every song, every melody, every lyric, 409 00:23:17,636 --> 00:23:21,316 Speaker 1: and you could improvise on them, which was amazing. But also, 410 00:23:21,796 --> 00:23:23,876 Speaker 1: I don't know if I've ever seen you look more joyous. 411 00:23:24,596 --> 00:23:27,836 Speaker 1: Here's the other thing, more at peace. You looked so peaceful, 412 00:23:27,876 --> 00:23:32,116 Speaker 1: like ah. I wondered if you wanted to talk about 413 00:23:32,156 --> 00:23:34,956 Speaker 1: it a little bit. How has that developed your voice 414 00:23:34,996 --> 00:23:38,756 Speaker 1: and taste? I think the theater music gives me so 415 00:23:38,956 --> 00:23:41,036 Speaker 1: much joy. That was the most fun night. It was 416 00:23:41,116 --> 00:23:44,876 Speaker 1: like such a precious thing. Theater babies. It's just a 417 00:23:44,956 --> 00:23:48,436 Speaker 1: different kind of nostalgia. Listening to musical theater is a 418 00:23:48,596 --> 00:23:53,276 Speaker 1: different kind of fulfilling car ride, you know, like if 419 00:23:53,316 --> 00:23:57,076 Speaker 1: you throw on some avenue que or wicked in the car, 420 00:23:57,396 --> 00:24:02,236 Speaker 1: like you're just guaranteed to feel comforted. Most broadway songs 421 00:24:02,316 --> 00:24:05,596 Speaker 1: have longer sustained notes than pop songs. Do You can 422 00:24:05,676 --> 00:24:08,236 Speaker 1: hear it here where Arianna sings the theme song from 423 00:24:08,276 --> 00:24:14,716 Speaker 1: Beauty and the Beast hisic and be and so. In 424 00:24:14,956 --> 00:24:17,676 Speaker 1: order to sing them well, people have to develop their 425 00:24:17,716 --> 00:24:20,356 Speaker 1: lung capacity on their breadth support so they can hold 426 00:24:20,436 --> 00:24:25,516 Speaker 1: those longer notes. Also, broadway songs usually have wider pitch ranges, 427 00:24:25,596 --> 00:24:28,756 Speaker 1: so singers need to do vocal exercises and learn techniques 428 00:24:28,836 --> 00:24:31,596 Speaker 1: that will increase their range. These are a few of 429 00:24:31,676 --> 00:24:34,596 Speaker 1: the reasons singing these songs are so helpful and developing 430 00:24:34,716 --> 00:24:38,796 Speaker 1: someone's voice. However, there is a really big difference in 431 00:24:38,876 --> 00:24:41,316 Speaker 1: the way you use your voice when singing pop as 432 00:24:41,316 --> 00:24:45,316 Speaker 1: opposed to Broadway. There's a humongous difference. Of course, you 433 00:24:45,636 --> 00:24:48,516 Speaker 1: use a totally different part of your voice for each 434 00:24:48,596 --> 00:24:50,156 Speaker 1: And of course I don't you know what I mean, 435 00:24:50,196 --> 00:24:52,036 Speaker 1: Like I would never sing a Broadway song with my 436 00:24:52,156 --> 00:24:56,516 Speaker 1: pop placement, but you know, I grew up singing theater, 437 00:24:56,596 --> 00:24:58,116 Speaker 1: so of course that's where my heart is. I wish 438 00:24:58,156 --> 00:24:59,476 Speaker 1: I got to do more of it. I wish I 439 00:24:59,556 --> 00:25:01,556 Speaker 1: could go beyond Broadway. I wish I could go sing 440 00:25:01,636 --> 00:25:06,476 Speaker 1: more musical songs. That's like the easiest, most fun, most soaring, freeing, 441 00:25:07,316 --> 00:25:10,876 Speaker 1: beautiful feeling ever is singing show tunes That to me 442 00:25:11,116 --> 00:25:15,316 Speaker 1: is like my heaven. But of course, like you can't 443 00:25:15,396 --> 00:25:17,116 Speaker 1: use that placement on a pop song either, you know 444 00:25:17,116 --> 00:25:20,876 Speaker 1: what I mean, Like you can't sing like been here 445 00:25:20,956 --> 00:25:24,276 Speaker 1: all night, Like you can't like been here all day 446 00:25:25,956 --> 00:25:33,436 Speaker 1: and by got me a walk inside to side. Well 447 00:25:33,676 --> 00:25:35,556 Speaker 1: I'm trying to hide it. I forgot the words and 448 00:25:35,556 --> 00:25:37,796 Speaker 1: I wrote them, So there you go. You could do it. 449 00:25:37,916 --> 00:25:40,556 Speaker 1: I just don't think it would be standing over here 450 00:25:40,956 --> 00:25:47,756 Speaker 1: with your body. I don't know, thank you next, Yes, fun, 451 00:25:47,916 --> 00:25:53,916 Speaker 1: I'd end up with sean body wasn't a much or 452 00:25:53,996 --> 00:25:55,876 Speaker 1: break up with your boyfriend can you imagine that and 453 00:25:55,956 --> 00:26:01,316 Speaker 1: it's soprano. You got me some type of way. I 454 00:26:01,396 --> 00:26:05,236 Speaker 1: don't know, that's not funny. I'm just a feeling this way. 455 00:26:05,436 --> 00:26:11,876 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, no, no, no, say no no. This is 456 00:26:11,996 --> 00:26:14,996 Speaker 1: backstage pass with Eric Vitro and we'll be right back. 457 00:26:18,756 --> 00:26:21,316 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to backstage Pass. Let's get back to 458 00:26:21,396 --> 00:26:24,956 Speaker 1: chatting with Ariana Grande getting back to voice lessons. Remember 459 00:26:25,036 --> 00:26:28,396 Speaker 1: what I said earlier. A voice teacher has to really 460 00:26:28,556 --> 00:26:30,916 Speaker 1: listen to where a singer is at in the moment. 461 00:26:31,516 --> 00:26:34,156 Speaker 1: They might be physically tired, or they might have oversung 462 00:26:34,276 --> 00:26:36,716 Speaker 1: the day before, or they might have been doing interviews 463 00:26:36,796 --> 00:26:40,116 Speaker 1: and talking for hours before their lesson. All of these 464 00:26:40,196 --> 00:26:42,516 Speaker 1: factors determine what the warm up needs to look like. 465 00:26:43,236 --> 00:26:45,676 Speaker 1: Sometimes a singer will tell me what's going on, but 466 00:26:46,396 --> 00:26:48,636 Speaker 1: usually I can hear it in their speaking voice when 467 00:26:48,716 --> 00:26:50,356 Speaker 1: they come in and I know what we need to 468 00:26:50,436 --> 00:26:53,516 Speaker 1: do that day. It could be that they're stressed, which 469 00:26:53,596 --> 00:26:56,716 Speaker 1: creates a tight, constricted tone, so I'll use techniques that 470 00:26:56,796 --> 00:26:59,316 Speaker 1: help them loosen up so they can sing more freely 471 00:26:59,396 --> 00:27:02,676 Speaker 1: and feel more flexible. Or they might be singing too 472 00:27:02,756 --> 00:27:05,556 Speaker 1: heavy in their lower range, which makes it impossible to 473 00:27:05,676 --> 00:27:08,836 Speaker 1: make a smooth transition into their higher notes. There are 474 00:27:08,916 --> 00:27:11,116 Speaker 1: day when I just go, all right, this is going 475 00:27:11,156 --> 00:27:12,796 Speaker 1: to take a little longer. It's going to be a 476 00:27:12,836 --> 00:27:14,876 Speaker 1: little bit more of a process to warm up their voice. 477 00:27:15,076 --> 00:27:17,956 Speaker 1: But I always know we're going to get there. A 478 00:27:18,036 --> 00:27:21,036 Speaker 1: lot of people really don't like those wide range exercises 479 00:27:21,076 --> 00:27:23,756 Speaker 1: starting really low and going really high, but you do. Yeah. 480 00:27:23,916 --> 00:27:27,196 Speaker 1: I like the big stretches. I like, can't wait. I 481 00:27:27,276 --> 00:27:29,316 Speaker 1: always want to go really really really high, and You're 482 00:27:29,316 --> 00:27:31,676 Speaker 1: always like, we have to warm up your low range. 483 00:27:31,996 --> 00:27:34,636 Speaker 1: You're like, we have to exercise the whole thing. Relax, 484 00:27:34,756 --> 00:27:37,596 Speaker 1: And I'm always like ready to go, and she always is. 485 00:27:37,796 --> 00:27:41,716 Speaker 1: She's always ready to go. But she's also a perfectionist, 486 00:27:41,836 --> 00:27:44,316 Speaker 1: and that means she can be really hard on herself. 487 00:27:45,036 --> 00:27:51,076 Speaker 1: Oh I am so I'm so so so brutal with that, 488 00:27:51,556 --> 00:27:55,716 Speaker 1: you know you I am. I yeah, No, I'm very 489 00:27:56,556 --> 00:27:58,916 Speaker 1: I can't stand it. Yeah. But anyway, you have that 490 00:27:59,036 --> 00:28:02,796 Speaker 1: incredible ear that's like ridiculous, thank you, ridiculous. It makes 491 00:28:02,836 --> 00:28:06,796 Speaker 1: it very annoying to work with me. When you have 492 00:28:06,876 --> 00:28:09,076 Speaker 1: a great sense of pitch, it can drive you crazy 493 00:28:09,276 --> 00:28:12,596 Speaker 1: if you hear the slightest note off. I always had 494 00:28:12,636 --> 00:28:18,156 Speaker 1: a very very very like picky sensitive ear and it's 495 00:28:18,356 --> 00:28:21,916 Speaker 1: kind of made me into a perfectionist and kind of 496 00:28:21,996 --> 00:28:26,196 Speaker 1: this neurotic control freak. And when it comes to camping 497 00:28:26,356 --> 00:28:31,116 Speaker 1: my own vocals and vocal production and arranging and producing 498 00:28:31,196 --> 00:28:34,716 Speaker 1: and stuff like that, if the EQ changes even a 499 00:28:34,836 --> 00:28:37,756 Speaker 1: little bit, I'll be able to tell Yeah, I don't know. 500 00:28:37,836 --> 00:28:41,716 Speaker 1: It's always been something that I've noticed in a big way, 501 00:28:42,156 --> 00:28:46,476 Speaker 1: and I think that's been a great thing to kind 502 00:28:46,516 --> 00:28:49,476 Speaker 1: of grow into having all the control over in my life. 503 00:28:49,476 --> 00:28:51,636 Speaker 1: I've just been I've learned, you know, how to do 504 00:28:51,716 --> 00:28:54,636 Speaker 1: it myself throughout the years, and kind of like that's 505 00:28:54,676 --> 00:28:58,876 Speaker 1: been really cool. My MD Johnny he said that my 506 00:28:59,356 --> 00:29:03,356 Speaker 1: ears are like a telescope and I can analyze the 507 00:29:03,396 --> 00:29:05,956 Speaker 1: surface of Mars. But it's a blessing and a curse, 508 00:29:05,956 --> 00:29:08,596 Speaker 1: because like it's wonderful to be able to articulate what 509 00:29:08,676 --> 00:29:11,716 Speaker 1: I want, how exactly I want my voice to be mixed. 510 00:29:11,756 --> 00:29:16,676 Speaker 1: And you know, of course, that's how you create a sound, 511 00:29:16,756 --> 00:29:19,276 Speaker 1: and that's how you can control your tone and have 512 00:29:19,516 --> 00:29:22,036 Speaker 1: that be a part of your sound. But I wish 513 00:29:22,076 --> 00:29:26,036 Speaker 1: I could just relax. I think it can be easy 514 00:29:26,156 --> 00:29:28,876 Speaker 1: for fans to forget how much work goes into being 515 00:29:28,916 --> 00:29:34,236 Speaker 1: a professional singer. There's constant interviews, writing and recording sessions, rehearsals, 516 00:29:34,276 --> 00:29:37,396 Speaker 1: and being on tour. Touring is really hard, and that's 517 00:29:37,436 --> 00:29:40,036 Speaker 1: why so often I do FaceTime warm ups with my 518 00:29:40,156 --> 00:29:43,676 Speaker 1: students on their performance days, usually in their dressing rooms 519 00:29:43,716 --> 00:29:46,996 Speaker 1: before the sound checks or the shows. The schedules and 520 00:29:47,116 --> 00:29:51,276 Speaker 1: traveling can be grueling. Plus think about it being around 521 00:29:51,476 --> 00:29:53,476 Speaker 1: all those people, It can lead to a lot of 522 00:29:53,556 --> 00:29:57,156 Speaker 1: colds and flues. Ariana does shows all the time when 523 00:29:57,236 --> 00:30:00,796 Speaker 1: she's sick. To her and most singers I know, canceling 524 00:30:00,836 --> 00:30:04,556 Speaker 1: a show is devastating. You don't want to disappoint your fans, 525 00:30:04,676 --> 00:30:06,956 Speaker 1: and you know how much work everyone is put in, 526 00:30:07,316 --> 00:30:10,636 Speaker 1: from the dancers, the musician, the crew, the makeup people, 527 00:30:10,676 --> 00:30:14,236 Speaker 1: the hair people, everybody. Everyone is working behind the scenes 528 00:30:14,316 --> 00:30:16,276 Speaker 1: for every single show, and you don't want to let 529 00:30:16,356 --> 00:30:19,156 Speaker 1: them down by not getting on the stage. But when 530 00:30:19,196 --> 00:30:21,436 Speaker 1: your ear nose and throat doctor tells you that not 531 00:30:21,636 --> 00:30:25,556 Speaker 1: canceling could lead to you canceling an entire tour or 532 00:30:25,756 --> 00:30:28,676 Speaker 1: could even result in permanently harming your voice, you have 533 00:30:28,836 --> 00:30:32,596 Speaker 1: to cancel. You just have to. I've unfortunately had to 534 00:30:32,716 --> 00:30:35,036 Speaker 1: cancel a couple of shows in the past, of course, 535 00:30:35,156 --> 00:30:39,356 Speaker 1: like six years, because I think that it is physically 536 00:30:39,476 --> 00:30:44,676 Speaker 1: so demanding and so strenuous to do hundreds of shows 537 00:30:44,796 --> 00:30:49,356 Speaker 1: around the world and it's incredible, but it's also physically 538 00:30:49,516 --> 00:30:52,636 Speaker 1: very tasking, and between the traveling and the flying and 539 00:30:52,716 --> 00:30:55,116 Speaker 1: the bus and everything, and it's like your body kind 540 00:30:55,156 --> 00:30:58,396 Speaker 1: of becomes very run down. And I know for me personally, 541 00:30:59,156 --> 00:31:02,436 Speaker 1: I was sick for like four out of ten months 542 00:31:02,476 --> 00:31:04,956 Speaker 1: on the Sweetener tour, and thankfully I only had to 543 00:31:05,276 --> 00:31:08,436 Speaker 1: cancel like one show I think or two, but one 544 00:31:08,476 --> 00:31:10,716 Speaker 1: of them was because I had a tomato allergy. But 545 00:31:11,036 --> 00:31:15,756 Speaker 1: thankfully the rest of it, I was either healthy or 546 00:31:16,076 --> 00:31:19,396 Speaker 1: able to sing around the conditions I was dealing with, 547 00:31:19,596 --> 00:31:26,956 Speaker 1: which was like bronchitis for most of it. I think 548 00:31:26,996 --> 00:31:29,956 Speaker 1: the reason why I was able to get through so 549 00:31:30,116 --> 00:31:34,236 Speaker 1: many shows as I was when I was sick was 550 00:31:34,916 --> 00:31:37,556 Speaker 1: due to our work together and our warmups. Like I 551 00:31:37,676 --> 00:31:42,676 Speaker 1: would wake up with just air coming out and just 552 00:31:43,156 --> 00:31:45,676 Speaker 1: like no sound would be able to come out, and 553 00:31:45,796 --> 00:31:48,356 Speaker 1: I would I would go to my sink to brush 554 00:31:48,396 --> 00:31:50,316 Speaker 1: my teeth and like start waking up my body and 555 00:31:50,636 --> 00:31:53,516 Speaker 1: I would go and sometimes air would come out, and 556 00:31:53,556 --> 00:31:55,516 Speaker 1: sometimes it wouldn't, and sometimes sound would come out, and 557 00:31:55,516 --> 00:31:58,356 Speaker 1: sometimes it wouldn't, and I'd say, okay. I would stay 558 00:31:58,436 --> 00:32:02,196 Speaker 1: silent for two more hours until I ate breakfast and 559 00:32:02,236 --> 00:32:04,036 Speaker 1: I did my routine, and then I would do a 560 00:32:04,076 --> 00:32:06,876 Speaker 1: little more like then it would come back a little more, 561 00:32:07,356 --> 00:32:09,636 Speaker 1: and then I would rest again, and by the time 562 00:32:09,676 --> 00:32:13,876 Speaker 1: it was ready for warm up time, I could get 563 00:32:13,916 --> 00:32:16,756 Speaker 1: out the sounds that I was that I needed to 564 00:32:16,796 --> 00:32:18,876 Speaker 1: get out. And by the end of our work together, 565 00:32:19,036 --> 00:32:21,156 Speaker 1: like we would do our warm up and then we 566 00:32:21,196 --> 00:32:23,236 Speaker 1: would take our little five minute breaks and I'd be 567 00:32:23,276 --> 00:32:25,436 Speaker 1: silent for five minutes, and then we do another fifteen minutes, 568 00:32:25,436 --> 00:32:27,436 Speaker 1: and I'd be silent for another five minutes. We do 569 00:32:27,476 --> 00:32:29,756 Speaker 1: another fifteen minutes, and by the time that I was 570 00:32:29,796 --> 00:32:34,036 Speaker 1: ready to go on stage, my voice was making all 571 00:32:34,076 --> 00:32:35,956 Speaker 1: of the sounds, like all of the notes were there. 572 00:32:36,116 --> 00:32:38,396 Speaker 1: And when she's on tour, there are times when she 573 00:32:38,556 --> 00:32:41,916 Speaker 1: can be thirteen or fourteen or fifteen or however many 574 00:32:41,996 --> 00:32:45,556 Speaker 1: hours ahead of LA time. Eric used to wake up 575 00:32:45,596 --> 00:32:48,356 Speaker 1: at crazy times when I was overseas on tour to 576 00:32:48,516 --> 00:32:51,556 Speaker 1: warm me up, and it would be like the sweetest 577 00:32:51,676 --> 00:32:55,676 Speaker 1: best blessing ever. I was like, Wow, thank God, all right, 578 00:32:55,956 --> 00:32:58,436 Speaker 1: just so you understand, on the days that I did 579 00:32:58,516 --> 00:33:00,716 Speaker 1: those warmups at two or three in the morning, I 580 00:33:00,716 --> 00:33:02,876 Speaker 1: would actually do them from bed. I mean, it's too 581 00:33:02,956 --> 00:33:04,996 Speaker 1: cold to get out of bed and go downstairs. So 582 00:33:05,396 --> 00:33:07,316 Speaker 1: let me explain how I did it. I have a 583 00:33:07,396 --> 00:33:09,516 Speaker 1: whole reek set up in my bedroom. I have an 584 00:33:09,516 --> 00:33:11,916 Speaker 1: adjustable bed that sits me up so I'm in a 585 00:33:11,996 --> 00:33:14,636 Speaker 1: good sitting position. I have a table that swings out 586 00:33:14,796 --> 00:33:17,796 Speaker 1: over me with my keyboard on it and my laptop 587 00:33:17,876 --> 00:33:20,636 Speaker 1: so I can see her, and we go from there. 588 00:33:21,676 --> 00:33:25,916 Speaker 1: That work was really what kept me healthy for ninety 589 00:33:26,036 --> 00:33:29,316 Speaker 1: nine percent of the tour, and I really am appreciative 590 00:33:29,316 --> 00:33:30,836 Speaker 1: of that. I don't want to miss my opportunity to 591 00:33:30,916 --> 00:33:34,516 Speaker 1: say that our work together kept me healthy and I didn't. 592 00:33:34,796 --> 00:33:37,316 Speaker 1: Thank God, I've never had to cancel a tour because 593 00:33:37,356 --> 00:33:40,316 Speaker 1: of a hemorrhage or been at a loss, you know 594 00:33:40,356 --> 00:33:42,516 Speaker 1: what I mean. So it's just been such a blessing 595 00:33:42,596 --> 00:33:44,996 Speaker 1: to learn how to sing around those things with you, 596 00:33:45,236 --> 00:33:52,316 Speaker 1: and to sing and have technique that has been evolving 597 00:33:52,436 --> 00:33:57,436 Speaker 1: and maturing and improving over the years, and get through 598 00:33:57,796 --> 00:34:00,756 Speaker 1: hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of live shows 599 00:34:01,316 --> 00:34:04,236 Speaker 1: where I'm singing live for two hours at a time, 600 00:34:05,116 --> 00:34:08,076 Speaker 1: and I'm very appreciative. I think a lot of that 601 00:34:08,516 --> 00:34:11,756 Speaker 1: is just our work together and training to become a 602 00:34:11,836 --> 00:34:15,876 Speaker 1: healthy vocalist. Thank god, I've been able to sing through 603 00:34:15,916 --> 00:34:17,996 Speaker 1: things like that, because it starts from the moment you 604 00:34:18,076 --> 00:34:21,036 Speaker 1: wake up. You don't warm up forty five minutes before 605 00:34:21,076 --> 00:34:24,436 Speaker 1: the show, and you don't you know, put it down 606 00:34:24,556 --> 00:34:26,316 Speaker 1: the second you get off stage. It starts from the 607 00:34:26,356 --> 00:34:28,676 Speaker 1: minute you wake up. Thank God, I think I had 608 00:34:28,716 --> 00:34:31,196 Speaker 1: pretty good luck. I thankfully you've never had to cancel 609 00:34:31,996 --> 00:34:35,636 Speaker 1: massive amounts of shows or anything because of my voice. 610 00:34:35,996 --> 00:34:39,636 Speaker 1: It's been such an incredible blessing. And it's been a 611 00:34:39,756 --> 00:34:42,436 Speaker 1: lot of work. Yeah, it has been a lot of work, 612 00:34:42,556 --> 00:34:45,436 Speaker 1: but it's been so much fun. It doesn't really feel 613 00:34:45,516 --> 00:34:48,116 Speaker 1: like work. And I gotta say, for better or worse, 614 00:34:48,356 --> 00:34:53,356 Speaker 1: for Ariana, that spirit and drive is constantly there. I 615 00:34:53,556 --> 00:34:56,876 Speaker 1: remember one night at the Forum and you did, like 616 00:34:57,076 --> 00:34:59,396 Speaker 1: I think it was six shows in a row, which 617 00:34:59,396 --> 00:35:01,916 Speaker 1: I thought was insanity, but you were making up the 618 00:35:02,036 --> 00:35:04,716 Speaker 1: one that had to be canceled, and your mother pulled 619 00:35:04,716 --> 00:35:08,116 Speaker 1: me aside and said, would you please please encourage your 620 00:35:08,196 --> 00:35:10,476 Speaker 1: just to rest to night? And I want well, of course, 621 00:35:10,556 --> 00:35:13,316 Speaker 1: she's gonna rest Joan, and she went no, I don't 622 00:35:13,356 --> 00:35:14,676 Speaker 1: think she is. And I said, I don't know what 623 00:35:14,716 --> 00:35:16,196 Speaker 1: you're talking about. And then I went over to you 624 00:35:16,276 --> 00:35:18,276 Speaker 1: and I said, now you're gonna rest your voice night, 625 00:35:18,316 --> 00:35:19,716 Speaker 1: and you looked at me and said, no, I'm going 626 00:35:19,796 --> 00:35:21,876 Speaker 1: to the studio. And I was like, oh, it's one 627 00:35:21,916 --> 00:35:24,516 Speaker 1: in the morning. You can't go to the studio, and 628 00:35:24,556 --> 00:35:26,596 Speaker 1: you went, no, I'm going to. I'm very inspired and 629 00:35:26,636 --> 00:35:30,876 Speaker 1: I want to record. Yeah, you're very upset with me 630 00:35:30,956 --> 00:35:33,556 Speaker 1: that night. See that's the thing. There's like it's like 631 00:35:34,516 --> 00:35:37,316 Speaker 1: once it's on autopilot, like once the chords are like, 632 00:35:37,396 --> 00:35:40,876 Speaker 1: oh I got it, whatever, show schmow, we can do 633 00:35:40,996 --> 00:35:46,076 Speaker 1: this sweeteners show whatever. Like once it's in autopilot and 634 00:35:46,236 --> 00:35:49,756 Speaker 1: your body's like not recovering from bronchitis, you're just kind 635 00:35:49,796 --> 00:35:52,396 Speaker 1: of like, oh, yeah, the notes are there, they'll come out. 636 00:35:52,476 --> 00:35:55,956 Speaker 1: Let's go to the studio after whatever. So it's like, yeah, 637 00:35:56,396 --> 00:35:58,556 Speaker 1: you're not pleased with me that night. I think I 638 00:35:58,676 --> 00:36:01,036 Speaker 1: was scarred from that night though, because I just know 639 00:36:01,156 --> 00:36:02,716 Speaker 1: you weren't going to go home, even though in my 640 00:36:02,836 --> 00:36:05,316 Speaker 1: mind I was thinking, go home, go home and rest 641 00:36:05,476 --> 00:36:09,676 Speaker 1: rest that voice and I'm always trying to send out 642 00:36:09,716 --> 00:36:13,436 Speaker 1: that mental telepathy, that vocal juju. Come on, drink a 643 00:36:13,476 --> 00:36:16,436 Speaker 1: lot of water, get some rest, get twelve hours sleep tonight. 644 00:36:16,836 --> 00:36:18,796 Speaker 1: But no matter how much I do it, and no 645 00:36:18,916 --> 00:36:21,676 Speaker 1: matter how many times I tell someone, rest your voice, 646 00:36:21,876 --> 00:36:24,316 Speaker 1: go home, don't go to that party after party, what 647 00:36:24,436 --> 00:36:27,596 Speaker 1: a bore. But you know, sometimes they don't always listen, 648 00:36:28,076 --> 00:36:31,276 Speaker 1: but I do. I'm always listening, And because I listen, 649 00:36:31,356 --> 00:36:34,476 Speaker 1: I'm pretty aware of how my students' voices are constantly changing, 650 00:36:34,956 --> 00:36:38,916 Speaker 1: hopefully for the better, hopefully improving. I was curious, though, 651 00:36:38,996 --> 00:36:41,996 Speaker 1: what Ariana thought about her vocal evolution, so I asked her, 652 00:36:43,116 --> 00:36:47,596 Speaker 1: how would you say your voice has changed over the years. Oh, 653 00:36:47,756 --> 00:36:51,756 Speaker 1: that's a good question. It's funny because I listened back 654 00:36:51,836 --> 00:36:56,156 Speaker 1: to like my first album, and I sound like a baby. 655 00:36:56,196 --> 00:37:00,316 Speaker 1: But I don't know when when it kind of grew up. 656 00:37:00,436 --> 00:37:04,596 Speaker 1: I guess even listening to old talking, my voice was 657 00:37:04,956 --> 00:37:11,716 Speaker 1: really kind of I think tie, which my whole body was, 658 00:37:12,196 --> 00:37:16,676 Speaker 1: to be fair, but I think I yeah, I hadn't 659 00:37:16,756 --> 00:37:20,636 Speaker 1: found the balance yet with my schedule and doing all 660 00:37:20,676 --> 00:37:23,156 Speaker 1: that promo in the beginning, and doing all that in 661 00:37:23,236 --> 00:37:25,676 Speaker 1: the first few years of the music stuff, I think 662 00:37:25,756 --> 00:37:29,156 Speaker 1: my speaking voice and my singing voice were they sounded 663 00:37:29,196 --> 00:37:32,036 Speaker 1: so different because I think they also were tired. I 664 00:37:32,156 --> 00:37:36,756 Speaker 1: think that also strengthened my voice in a way where 665 00:37:36,836 --> 00:37:40,396 Speaker 1: like now it really takes a lot, lot, lot, lot 666 00:37:40,556 --> 00:37:43,756 Speaker 1: lot more abuse to get me to that whispery raspy point, 667 00:37:43,836 --> 00:37:50,116 Speaker 1: you know. But I don't know my voice is healthier 668 00:37:50,356 --> 00:37:56,276 Speaker 1: now through the years of touring and needing to push 669 00:37:56,316 --> 00:38:02,596 Speaker 1: through the shows and learning healthy placement and kind of 670 00:38:03,476 --> 00:38:05,156 Speaker 1: you know, having to maintain that. I think it's just 671 00:38:05,276 --> 00:38:10,156 Speaker 1: been experience in years of learning and singing all these 672 00:38:10,236 --> 00:38:14,716 Speaker 1: songs so many times, you know. Yeah, Well, I think 673 00:38:15,156 --> 00:38:18,036 Speaker 1: I think for people listening it's a lesson in that 674 00:38:18,276 --> 00:38:20,436 Speaker 1: I think, first of all, you were so young when 675 00:38:20,516 --> 00:38:23,796 Speaker 1: you were doing so much, And I think that when 676 00:38:23,836 --> 00:38:26,996 Speaker 1: you're young like that, your vocal chords aren't fully developed, 677 00:38:27,076 --> 00:38:30,796 Speaker 1: so they're not reached maturity. And also when you're young, 678 00:38:31,236 --> 00:38:33,756 Speaker 1: it's hard to always remind yourself, oh yeah, I should 679 00:38:33,796 --> 00:38:36,836 Speaker 1: be supporting my speaking voice as well as my singing voice, 680 00:38:37,076 --> 00:38:39,556 Speaker 1: and I should take some vocal rest tonight, and I 681 00:38:39,676 --> 00:38:41,996 Speaker 1: should go to sleep. So I think it's hard to 682 00:38:42,076 --> 00:38:45,396 Speaker 1: remember those things. So I think the combination of you learning, 683 00:38:45,876 --> 00:38:48,996 Speaker 1: learning technique, your voice maturing, and like you said, you 684 00:38:49,676 --> 00:38:51,516 Speaker 1: had to sing through it and get through it, and 685 00:38:51,556 --> 00:38:54,756 Speaker 1: I think that also made you stronger. Yeah, that's how 686 00:38:54,756 --> 00:38:58,076 Speaker 1: I look at it, and also all of our lessons 687 00:38:58,156 --> 00:39:01,276 Speaker 1: and being able to work through the exhaustion together and 688 00:39:01,916 --> 00:39:05,636 Speaker 1: somehow always find a way to make it all come 689 00:39:05,716 --> 00:39:08,556 Speaker 1: out and feel beautiful and healthy doing it. Like I 690 00:39:08,596 --> 00:39:12,796 Speaker 1: don't remember remember many times where I have like sunk 691 00:39:12,916 --> 00:39:15,636 Speaker 1: through something and been like, oh, thank god it happened 692 00:39:15,676 --> 00:39:16,956 Speaker 1: and we got through it, you know what I mean. Like, 693 00:39:16,996 --> 00:39:18,676 Speaker 1: I feel like we've always put in the work to 694 00:39:18,796 --> 00:39:22,076 Speaker 1: make sure that even at my most exhausted points, the 695 00:39:22,196 --> 00:39:25,036 Speaker 1: vocals are the least of our issues. I would agree 696 00:39:25,076 --> 00:39:27,916 Speaker 1: with that that's never been an issue for us. If anything, 697 00:39:28,236 --> 00:39:31,116 Speaker 1: well Ariana really had to deal with was her shift 698 00:39:31,156 --> 00:39:33,916 Speaker 1: from Nickelodeon start to growing into what she wanted to 699 00:39:33,996 --> 00:39:37,916 Speaker 1: be as a recording artist. Yeah, in the way beginning, 700 00:39:38,316 --> 00:39:42,716 Speaker 1: like putting out the way was really freeing and terrifying 701 00:39:42,836 --> 00:39:48,796 Speaker 1: for me because I was so convinced that I had 702 00:39:48,876 --> 00:39:51,916 Speaker 1: to be one thing because people knew me from my 703 00:39:52,196 --> 00:39:54,676 Speaker 1: show that I was doing from Nickelodeon, and I was 704 00:39:54,756 --> 00:39:57,196 Speaker 1: playing a character that a lot of people knew me 705 00:39:57,516 --> 00:40:00,556 Speaker 1: as and I was kind of terrified to do what 706 00:40:00,756 --> 00:40:03,516 Speaker 1: I actually wanted and make the music that I actually 707 00:40:03,636 --> 00:40:06,796 Speaker 1: wanted to make, and have my brown hair and be 708 00:40:07,876 --> 00:40:10,796 Speaker 1: you know where by high boots and what I wanted 709 00:40:10,836 --> 00:40:14,796 Speaker 1: to be. I think that was also a really big 710 00:40:14,876 --> 00:40:16,836 Speaker 1: moment for me, was putting out my first single that 711 00:40:17,036 --> 00:40:20,956 Speaker 1: like was on my first album and taking that risk 712 00:40:21,716 --> 00:40:23,996 Speaker 1: from the Way beginning too, you know. I think obviously 713 00:40:24,076 --> 00:40:25,596 Speaker 1: as time went on, you got to know more and 714 00:40:25,676 --> 00:40:27,636 Speaker 1: more and more of me as I lived in as 715 00:40:27,676 --> 00:40:30,596 Speaker 1: the music became more and more personal. But I think 716 00:40:30,636 --> 00:40:32,836 Speaker 1: even just from the very first single like that was 717 00:40:32,916 --> 00:40:37,756 Speaker 1: a huge risk. You know, it was a really incredible 718 00:40:37,836 --> 00:40:40,956 Speaker 1: turning point for me. It certainly worked out really well 719 00:40:41,076 --> 00:40:44,116 Speaker 1: because The Way went triple platinum at the age of nineteen. 720 00:40:44,156 --> 00:40:46,436 Speaker 1: Our next guest is the star of the Nickelodeon show 721 00:40:46,516 --> 00:40:48,916 Speaker 1: Sam and Kat, and she already has a top ten hit. 722 00:40:49,076 --> 00:40:52,076 Speaker 1: Here to make her television debut performing The Way. Please 723 00:40:52,116 --> 00:41:00,876 Speaker 1: welcome Ariana Grande featuring Mac Miller. One of my favorite 724 00:41:00,916 --> 00:41:04,636 Speaker 1: pictures of us is at Ellen underneath the Ellen Show, 725 00:41:04,676 --> 00:41:07,116 Speaker 1: and you had just done The Way, and you looked 726 00:41:07,276 --> 00:41:10,636 Speaker 1: so happy when we were in the dressing room during 727 00:41:10,676 --> 00:41:13,196 Speaker 1: her vocal warm up. I just knew this was going 728 00:41:13,276 --> 00:41:16,156 Speaker 1: to be the beginning of a huge career. Of course, 729 00:41:16,276 --> 00:41:19,116 Speaker 1: I wasn't the only one. Everybody could see it, her fans, 730 00:41:19,196 --> 00:41:22,476 Speaker 1: her friends, her family, and a few minutes after it aired, 731 00:41:22,596 --> 00:41:26,116 Speaker 1: Katy Perry actually texted me and said, that girl is 732 00:41:26,196 --> 00:41:28,876 Speaker 1: totally awesome. I think she has the best voice in 733 00:41:28,956 --> 00:41:32,716 Speaker 1: pop music. Do you remember the first year you came 734 00:41:32,756 --> 00:41:35,676 Speaker 1: to LA we spent Thanksgiving together and we had it 735 00:41:35,796 --> 00:41:38,956 Speaker 1: here at my house. Your mom organized the entire thing. 736 00:41:39,316 --> 00:41:41,996 Speaker 1: That was when I learned Grande's an adjective. It's not 737 00:41:42,156 --> 00:41:44,636 Speaker 1: just a name, it's a model to live by. Your 738 00:41:44,716 --> 00:41:47,316 Speaker 1: grandparents flew out and we were in the living room 739 00:41:47,356 --> 00:41:49,716 Speaker 1: like a bunch of us after dinner, and you saying 740 00:41:49,796 --> 00:41:52,356 Speaker 1: I have nothing. I played it and then I got 741 00:41:52,436 --> 00:41:56,316 Speaker 1: up and your grandfather was standing in the doorway. He 742 00:41:56,476 --> 00:41:58,756 Speaker 1: hadn't come in, he was just standing in the doorway 743 00:41:58,836 --> 00:42:01,996 Speaker 1: observing everything. And I said to him, you must be 744 00:42:02,116 --> 00:42:06,436 Speaker 1: so proud of Arianna, and he just nodded, said anyone, 745 00:42:07,516 --> 00:42:10,836 Speaker 1: she's got it. And I remember that was so touching 746 00:42:10,876 --> 00:42:12,236 Speaker 1: to me, and so I wanted to say to you 747 00:42:12,796 --> 00:42:18,156 Speaker 1: you've got it. We've had some really beautiful special memories together. 748 00:42:18,436 --> 00:42:21,516 Speaker 1: And yeah, you and I have had like the best 749 00:42:21,676 --> 00:42:26,116 Speaker 1: and most special and most challenging and most beautiful times together, 750 00:42:26,276 --> 00:42:29,876 Speaker 1: and we've sung through it all. And it's been such 751 00:42:29,916 --> 00:42:32,636 Speaker 1: a journey. You know, it has been, that's for sure. 752 00:42:32,996 --> 00:42:37,156 Speaker 1: That's a beautiful journey. It feels like it's still the 753 00:42:37,236 --> 00:42:40,716 Speaker 1: beginning in a weird, funny way, you know. And I 754 00:42:40,836 --> 00:42:43,716 Speaker 1: do know because this is just the beginning of a 755 00:42:43,876 --> 00:42:50,476 Speaker 1: long and beautiful career. I tell my students all the time, 756 00:42:50,836 --> 00:42:54,556 Speaker 1: just being talented isn't enough to guarantee success. It's the 757 00:42:54,716 --> 00:42:58,076 Speaker 1: commitment to your craft, your work ethic, your willingness to 758 00:42:58,236 --> 00:43:01,196 Speaker 1: learn and grow and to practice and by practice I 759 00:43:01,236 --> 00:43:04,596 Speaker 1: mean practice a lot. Aside from her obvious vocal gifts, 760 00:43:04,676 --> 00:43:07,436 Speaker 1: it's connecting to her passion and working hard that helped 761 00:43:07,436 --> 00:43:11,476 Speaker 1: Ariana build such a fantastic a career. That's what creates 762 00:43:11,516 --> 00:43:14,836 Speaker 1: the magic. That's what creates a true star. And isn't 763 00:43:14,876 --> 00:43:20,676 Speaker 1: that true for all professions? For me, experience in our friendship, 764 00:43:20,756 --> 00:43:23,436 Speaker 1: growing evolve, that's been the best part of the relationship. 765 00:43:23,876 --> 00:43:26,236 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm aware she's a superstar in the eyes 766 00:43:26,276 --> 00:43:28,836 Speaker 1: of the world. But when we're alone, just the two 767 00:43:28,916 --> 00:43:32,116 Speaker 1: of us in my music room, nothing has changed from 768 00:43:32,116 --> 00:43:35,516 Speaker 1: our first days together. I hope hearing about Arianna's vocal 769 00:43:35,596 --> 00:43:39,516 Speaker 1: journey has inspired you. Knowing her has definitely inspired me. 770 00:43:46,876 --> 00:43:49,476 Speaker 1: Each week, I'll be sharing a vocal tip, something I 771 00:43:49,556 --> 00:43:51,636 Speaker 1: do with my students that you can try at home, 772 00:43:51,996 --> 00:43:55,356 Speaker 1: and this week's tip is influenced by Ariana Grande herself. 773 00:44:01,956 --> 00:44:04,836 Speaker 1: I'm so glad Arianna talked about her warming up process, 774 00:44:04,956 --> 00:44:07,956 Speaker 1: because it doesn't matter how great your talent is, whether 775 00:44:08,036 --> 00:44:11,196 Speaker 1: you're a singer or answer an actor, if you play 776 00:44:11,236 --> 00:44:14,596 Speaker 1: an instrument or play a sport. To get your best performance, 777 00:44:14,676 --> 00:44:16,796 Speaker 1: you need to warm up. I always like to do 778 00:44:16,956 --> 00:44:20,116 Speaker 1: breathing exercises at the top of every class. There's a 779 00:44:20,236 --> 00:44:21,796 Speaker 1: million of them, but I'm going to show you one 780 00:44:21,836 --> 00:44:25,076 Speaker 1: that's pretty simple and basic and easy to foul. Try 781 00:44:25,156 --> 00:44:27,956 Speaker 1: this at home. Put one hand on your chest and 782 00:44:28,116 --> 00:44:30,076 Speaker 1: that's just to remind you to keep your chest up, 783 00:44:30,156 --> 00:44:33,756 Speaker 1: your ribs expanded. Then put one hand on your abdominal 784 00:44:33,836 --> 00:44:36,996 Speaker 1: muscles right around your belly button. Take in a deep 785 00:44:37,036 --> 00:44:39,596 Speaker 1: breath so you're going to inhale, and as you inhale, 786 00:44:40,076 --> 00:44:44,796 Speaker 1: allow your abdominal muscles to slightly expand, and then when 787 00:44:44,876 --> 00:44:48,716 Speaker 1: you exhale, I want you to pull your abdominal muscles in, 788 00:44:49,076 --> 00:44:52,356 Speaker 1: pushing the air out, and as you're pushing the air out, 789 00:44:52,436 --> 00:44:57,796 Speaker 1: you're going to make a hissing sound. So try that 790 00:44:57,916 --> 00:45:01,116 Speaker 1: one more time. Take a deep breath in, allowing your 791 00:45:01,116 --> 00:45:04,996 Speaker 1: abdominal muscles to expand, and then pull them in as 792 00:45:05,036 --> 00:45:13,436 Speaker 1: you push the air out, making the hissing sound. When 793 00:45:13,476 --> 00:45:15,196 Speaker 1: you do this, count in your head and see how 794 00:45:15,236 --> 00:45:18,196 Speaker 1: long you can count for. The goal is to just 795 00:45:18,436 --> 00:45:21,516 Speaker 1: keep elongating that so that you take in deeper and 796 00:45:21,596 --> 00:45:25,076 Speaker 1: deeper breaths. You really fill your lungs to capacity. Start 797 00:45:25,196 --> 00:45:27,876 Speaker 1: stretching them so you can take in more air every time. 798 00:45:28,236 --> 00:45:30,756 Speaker 1: This way, you can hold notes and songs longer or 799 00:45:30,836 --> 00:45:33,636 Speaker 1: sing longer lines without having to take a breath in 800 00:45:33,676 --> 00:45:36,716 Speaker 1: the middle. Now that you're connected to your breathing muscles, 801 00:45:37,116 --> 00:45:40,316 Speaker 1: let's try doing some of those roller coaster slides Ariana 802 00:45:40,356 --> 00:45:42,836 Speaker 1: talked about. Some people like to call them sirens. I 803 00:45:42,956 --> 00:45:46,396 Speaker 1: like to do them after the breathing exercises, So let's 804 00:45:46,476 --> 00:45:48,716 Speaker 1: try these at home. We're going to start on an 805 00:45:48,876 --> 00:45:52,156 Speaker 1: evowel because that's really the easiest one to keep forward, 806 00:45:52,276 --> 00:45:54,316 Speaker 1: right up front on the roof of your mouth. So 807 00:45:54,436 --> 00:45:56,236 Speaker 1: what I want you to do is, first take a 808 00:45:56,316 --> 00:46:02,196 Speaker 1: deep breath in and say he, focusing all the vibrations 809 00:46:02,236 --> 00:46:04,756 Speaker 1: of that E vowel right up front on the roof 810 00:46:04,836 --> 00:46:12,916 Speaker 1: of your mouth. Try that. Then take a deep breath, 811 00:46:12,996 --> 00:46:14,796 Speaker 1: and this time we're going to slide up and down, 812 00:46:14,916 --> 00:46:23,316 Speaker 1: just a short slide. He, So try to keep those 813 00:46:23,396 --> 00:46:25,476 Speaker 1: vibrations right up front on the roof of your mouth, 814 00:46:25,876 --> 00:46:28,716 Speaker 1: keep your mouth relaxed, and don't make it too loud, 815 00:46:28,836 --> 00:46:31,716 Speaker 1: keep it nice and easy. These should feel very, very 816 00:46:31,796 --> 00:46:36,476 Speaker 1: comfortable to do. Now, do a medium slide where you 817 00:46:36,556 --> 00:46:45,836 Speaker 1: go a little bit higher. He. Next, let's do a 818 00:46:45,956 --> 00:46:48,916 Speaker 1: really long one, as high as you can comfortably, never straining, 819 00:46:49,316 --> 00:47:02,996 Speaker 1: but stretching almost to the very top of your range. Good. 820 00:47:03,636 --> 00:47:07,196 Speaker 1: They should feel very easy, very relaxed. You can wiggle 821 00:47:07,276 --> 00:47:09,596 Speaker 1: your body around as you do them. You could wiggle 822 00:47:09,636 --> 00:47:13,396 Speaker 1: your jaw just to keep everything loose and relaxed. Once 823 00:47:13,476 --> 00:47:15,796 Speaker 1: you feel like you've really gotten it and mastered it 824 00:47:15,916 --> 00:47:18,556 Speaker 1: on the E vowel and it feels comfortable, try other 825 00:47:18,636 --> 00:47:23,316 Speaker 1: vowels like ooh oh ah or a. Now I'm a 826 00:47:23,396 --> 00:47:27,556 Speaker 1: confirmed multitasker myself, so during my morning routine, I always 827 00:47:27,636 --> 00:47:29,316 Speaker 1: try to do a few other things so I'm not 828 00:47:29,436 --> 00:47:32,556 Speaker 1: wasting any time. What I do is I start my 829 00:47:32,716 --> 00:47:35,076 Speaker 1: day with a little warm tea and then I toss 830 00:47:35,116 --> 00:47:37,476 Speaker 1: a Yukah shower bomb under the hot water to open 831 00:47:37,596 --> 00:47:40,956 Speaker 1: up my breathing passages. I sing the roller Coaster slides 832 00:47:40,956 --> 00:47:43,236 Speaker 1: in the shower, because let's face it, when you're in 833 00:47:43,316 --> 00:47:46,516 Speaker 1: a hot, steamy shower, you can't help but feel relaxed 834 00:47:46,716 --> 00:47:49,876 Speaker 1: as you slowly warm up your voice. This process is 835 00:47:49,876 --> 00:47:52,836 Speaker 1: a great step towards developing the muscle memory of singing 836 00:47:52,956 --> 00:47:55,756 Speaker 1: freely without tension. If you want to try out the 837 00:47:55,836 --> 00:47:58,076 Speaker 1: vocal tips from this episode, I'd love to hear you. 838 00:47:58,676 --> 00:48:03,356 Speaker 1: Use the hashtag Backstage Pass pod on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, 839 00:48:03,636 --> 00:48:05,916 Speaker 1: or wherever you like to post. I can't wait to 840 00:48:06,076 --> 00:48:21,556 Speaker 1: hear your voices. Let me know how it goes. Backstage 841 00:48:21,596 --> 00:48:24,156 Speaker 1: Pass with Eric Vitro is written and hosted by me 842 00:48:24,556 --> 00:48:28,836 Speaker 1: Eric Vitro and produced by Morgan Jaffee Katherine Giardo as 843 00:48:28,876 --> 00:48:33,636 Speaker 1: our managing producer. Emily Rosstech is our associate producer. Mixed 844 00:48:33,676 --> 00:48:38,476 Speaker 1: and mastered by Ben Holliday, additional engineering help from Jacob Gorski. 845 00:48:38,956 --> 00:48:42,076 Speaker 1: Mia Lobel is our VP of Content, Director of Development 846 00:48:42,196 --> 00:48:46,156 Speaker 1: Justine Lange helped create the show. Thanks also to Jacob Weisberg, 847 00:48:46,276 --> 00:48:51,036 Speaker 1: Heather Faine, John Schnars, Carli Migliori, Christina Sullivan, Eric Sandler, 848 00:48:51,196 --> 00:48:56,356 Speaker 1: Maggie Taylor, Nicole Morano, Daniello Lacan and Royston Baser. Original 849 00:48:56,436 --> 00:48:59,636 Speaker 1: theme music by Jacob and Sita Steele for Premiere Music Group. 850 00:49:00,036 --> 00:49:03,876 Speaker 1: We record at Resonate Studios. Fred Taloson does our videography 851 00:49:03,996 --> 00:49:07,276 Speaker 1: and the photography is by Ken Sawyer. Special thanks to 852 00:49:07,356 --> 00:49:10,876 Speaker 1: Michael Lewis for inspiration and the best guidance anybody could 853 00:49:10,876 --> 00:49:14,156 Speaker 1: ask for, and for this episode, thanks to Peter Stengard 854 00:49:14,236 --> 00:49:18,036 Speaker 1: for mixing and mastering to LuSE Grande Backstage Pass with 855 00:49:18,236 --> 00:49:21,476 Speaker 1: Eric Vitro as a production of Pushkin Industries. If you 856 00:49:21,596 --> 00:49:24,476 Speaker 1: like the show, please remember to share, rate, and review. 857 00:49:24,956 --> 00:49:28,716 Speaker 1: I mean that really. To find more Pushkin podcasts, listen 858 00:49:28,796 --> 00:49:32,556 Speaker 1: to the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen 859 00:49:32,636 --> 00:49:38,676 Speaker 1: to podcasts. Okay, and by the way, only you would 860 00:49:38,756 --> 00:49:42,556 Speaker 1: have a dog that can actually sing and sing in tune. Yeah, 861 00:49:42,756 --> 00:49:45,156 Speaker 1: it's like really bizarre. He sounds like he has auto 862 00:49:45,196 --> 00:49:47,676 Speaker 1: tuned on, but he's learned from the best. He listened 863 00:49:47,676 --> 00:49:50,396 Speaker 1: to all the vocal exercises and to Luca's found to 864 00:49:50,516 --> 00:49:50,916 Speaker 1: his voice