1 00:00:15,316 --> 00:00:22,996 Speaker 1: Pushkin. I had asked you which was your favorite vocal exercises, 2 00:00:22,996 --> 00:00:25,476 Speaker 1: and you said the roller coasters up and down. Can 3 00:00:25,556 --> 00:00:27,916 Speaker 1: you give an example of that so people know what 4 00:00:27,916 --> 00:00:33,996 Speaker 1: you were talking about? Oh, okay, aim high on the 5 00:00:34,036 --> 00:00:43,516 Speaker 1: low note, very quiet, he well, perfect, much better, much better, 6 00:00:43,876 --> 00:00:46,276 Speaker 1: much better. I needed to stretch it out. That was 7 00:00:46,356 --> 00:00:49,916 Speaker 1: Ariana Grande singing. She may be world famous for her 8 00:00:49,956 --> 00:00:53,196 Speaker 1: spectacular voice, but that's really just one part of who 9 00:00:53,236 --> 00:00:56,156 Speaker 1: she is. She's also one of the sweetest and most 10 00:00:56,236 --> 00:00:58,516 Speaker 1: caring people I know. So when I asked her if 11 00:00:58,516 --> 00:01:01,196 Speaker 1: she'd be down to demonstrate how a voice lesson works, 12 00:01:01,196 --> 00:01:06,916 Speaker 1: she said, sure, let's do which is a good Yet, 13 00:01:09,356 --> 00:01:14,996 Speaker 1: Let's try this on a wee wee wee wee wee wee. 14 00:01:15,996 --> 00:01:17,756 Speaker 1: Then I might say, give it a little more support 15 00:01:17,796 --> 00:01:23,196 Speaker 1: on the high note. Wee wee wee wee wee. Now 16 00:01:23,276 --> 00:01:31,076 Speaker 1: just to loosen up your shoulders. Wee wee wee wee wee. More, 17 00:01:31,236 --> 00:01:37,996 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, we we wee wee wee wee. You're 18 00:01:38,076 --> 00:01:42,036 Speaker 1: probably more familiar with hearing her singing songs than exercises. 19 00:01:42,116 --> 00:01:45,916 Speaker 1: Songs like positions dangerous woman, thank you, next, God is 20 00:01:45,956 --> 00:01:48,356 Speaker 1: a woman, you know? There's a lot of hits in there, 21 00:01:48,396 --> 00:01:51,316 Speaker 1: so I won't keep going with that. You might have 22 00:01:51,396 --> 00:01:53,636 Speaker 1: grown up with her on Nickelodeon, where she played the 23 00:01:53,716 --> 00:01:57,596 Speaker 1: adorable book shall we say, very dimwitted Cat Valentine on 24 00:01:57,676 --> 00:02:00,996 Speaker 1: the show Victorious, or you might have actually seen her 25 00:02:01,036 --> 00:02:03,236 Speaker 1: on Broadway, where she first got her start in the 26 00:02:03,356 --> 00:02:11,196 Speaker 1: musical thirteen Yesterday. Identified thought, well, she sounded a little 27 00:02:11,316 --> 00:02:13,556 Speaker 1: not you, because you don't ever get stiff. But let's 28 00:02:13,556 --> 00:02:17,196 Speaker 1: say something was feeling stiff or whatever, I'd say, hey, 29 00:02:17,396 --> 00:02:21,556 Speaker 1: move around, loosen up your body a little bit. I'm 30 00:02:21,676 --> 00:02:24,116 Speaker 1: so stubborn when you ask me to move, I'm always like, 31 00:02:24,116 --> 00:02:29,316 Speaker 1: I don't want to flail around. He I'm waving my 32 00:02:29,476 --> 00:02:31,956 Speaker 1: arms now, just so everyone can visualize. Yeah, it's not 33 00:02:32,196 --> 00:02:39,356 Speaker 1: just stubborn on that. Hey, there's been times when I've 34 00:02:39,396 --> 00:02:41,876 Speaker 1: given you an exercise and you I told someone this 35 00:02:41,996 --> 00:02:44,196 Speaker 1: one time. I said, yeah, there's times I'll say I'll 36 00:02:44,236 --> 00:02:46,636 Speaker 1: play in it and you'll go I'm literally like Eric, 37 00:02:46,956 --> 00:02:52,916 Speaker 1: that's insane. It'll literally be like no, no, no, no, no, 38 00:02:53,076 --> 00:02:58,316 Speaker 1: no no no, And I'm like Eric, that's seventy eight notes. 39 00:02:59,076 --> 00:03:01,036 Speaker 1: I don't have time, that's a whole or I have 40 00:03:01,116 --> 00:03:03,196 Speaker 1: to sing God as a woman in four minutes. I 41 00:03:03,276 --> 00:03:09,276 Speaker 1: don't have this kind of time. This is backstage as 42 00:03:09,596 --> 00:03:17,116 Speaker 1: I'm Eric Vitro in this podcast, I'm inviting you into 43 00:03:17,196 --> 00:03:19,756 Speaker 1: my studio to hear how some of the most successful 44 00:03:19,796 --> 00:03:22,836 Speaker 1: and famous singers work on their craft, the art of singing. 45 00:03:23,276 --> 00:03:25,516 Speaker 1: They also happen to be students of mine, so I 46 00:03:25,636 --> 00:03:28,036 Speaker 1: have to say I know them pretty well. We'll talk 47 00:03:28,076 --> 00:03:31,916 Speaker 1: about everything their vocal process, their careers, how their emotional 48 00:03:32,036 --> 00:03:35,476 Speaker 1: life affects their voice, and how it all intertwines with 49 00:03:35,596 --> 00:03:40,276 Speaker 1: their lives. For me, being a vocal coach is all 50 00:03:40,276 --> 00:03:43,396 Speaker 1: about listening and thinking on my feet. I ask a 51 00:03:43,476 --> 00:03:46,316 Speaker 1: student to do a vocal exercise, and then how their 52 00:03:46,396 --> 00:03:50,476 Speaker 1: voice responds determines what the next exercise should be. I 53 00:03:50,636 --> 00:03:52,956 Speaker 1: have to ask myself a lot of questions along the way. 54 00:03:53,076 --> 00:03:55,356 Speaker 1: How does their voice sound at that moment or how 55 00:03:55,436 --> 00:03:58,636 Speaker 1: did it react to the exercise. What I hear tells 56 00:03:58,676 --> 00:04:01,716 Speaker 1: me what my student needs at that moment. I'm so 57 00:04:01,876 --> 00:04:04,396 Speaker 1: glad we just did that because now people can understand 58 00:04:04,556 --> 00:04:08,716 Speaker 1: that's how a voice lesson works. I've learned by doing it, 59 00:04:08,876 --> 00:04:11,356 Speaker 1: because you're now singing an a cappella. I think it 60 00:04:11,436 --> 00:04:14,996 Speaker 1: improves people's ears because they're really hearing themselves. Oh yeah, 61 00:04:15,076 --> 00:04:17,116 Speaker 1: it's not fun. Yeah, and they're singing along with the 62 00:04:17,196 --> 00:04:20,596 Speaker 1: piano they don't even know, like the little tiny things 63 00:04:20,636 --> 00:04:23,236 Speaker 1: where it goes a little in and out. Arianna and 64 00:04:23,316 --> 00:04:26,156 Speaker 1: I have been working together for over fourteen years now, 65 00:04:26,316 --> 00:04:28,636 Speaker 1: well maybe even more. I think we met in two 66 00:04:28,676 --> 00:04:31,796 Speaker 1: thousand and seven. We don't always spend all of our 67 00:04:31,876 --> 00:04:34,076 Speaker 1: time with singing lessons, though, I mean, we've had some 68 00:04:34,236 --> 00:04:38,716 Speaker 1: great conversations and we've spent some really fun holidays together. Guys, 69 00:04:38,836 --> 00:04:45,716 Speaker 1: we painted each other mugg Are we okay? Yeah? I 70 00:04:45,836 --> 00:04:49,396 Speaker 1: think we are okay because it was really fun, no surprise. 71 00:04:49,476 --> 00:04:52,956 Speaker 1: The one she painted was gorgeous and amazing and creative, 72 00:04:53,476 --> 00:04:56,716 Speaker 1: and mine was okay. But let's rewind. Let's go back 73 00:04:56,756 --> 00:05:00,716 Speaker 1: to the beginning, because of course her journey started before hours, 74 00:05:00,796 --> 00:05:05,836 Speaker 1: did Now, didn't your grandmother take you to your first audition? Yeah, 75 00:05:05,956 --> 00:05:08,956 Speaker 1: so Nona took me to audition to sing the national 76 00:05:09,116 --> 00:05:13,156 Speaker 1: anthem at the Panthers game. That was a really cool moment. 77 00:05:13,396 --> 00:05:17,476 Speaker 1: I remember singing on the ice and being freezing cold, 78 00:05:18,196 --> 00:05:21,156 Speaker 1: and it was like my first real gig, and I 79 00:05:21,276 --> 00:05:26,756 Speaker 1: sang the national anthem for the Panthers, my hometown, Florida's 80 00:05:27,276 --> 00:05:43,196 Speaker 1: hockey team. Oh say, can you see Biemesy At this point, 81 00:05:43,356 --> 00:05:45,916 Speaker 1: she's only eight years old, but if you could see her, 82 00:05:46,236 --> 00:05:49,156 Speaker 1: watch her when she sings this. She has this beautiful 83 00:05:49,236 --> 00:05:52,156 Speaker 1: look in her eyes, and she's already connected with the audience. 84 00:05:52,876 --> 00:05:54,996 Speaker 1: You can really predict she's going to go somewhere with 85 00:05:55,116 --> 00:05:57,996 Speaker 1: this singing thing. And it was so fun because I 86 00:05:58,076 --> 00:05:59,996 Speaker 1: used to go to the games all the time anyway 87 00:06:00,116 --> 00:06:02,956 Speaker 1: as a kid. My parents would take me, and I 88 00:06:03,036 --> 00:06:05,316 Speaker 1: had really bad luck. I was hit by the puck 89 00:06:05,596 --> 00:06:08,956 Speaker 1: like twice, and so I got to ride the zam 90 00:06:09,156 --> 00:06:13,116 Speaker 1: bony like because they felt bad because my wrist was 91 00:06:13,196 --> 00:06:16,876 Speaker 1: like broken and mangled, and I was like sad. So 92 00:06:17,956 --> 00:06:20,636 Speaker 1: I was already a huge Panthers fan growing up, so 93 00:06:20,756 --> 00:06:23,276 Speaker 1: getting to sing and having that be my first like 94 00:06:23,476 --> 00:06:26,076 Speaker 1: real gig kind of was so sweet and so special 95 00:06:26,236 --> 00:06:28,716 Speaker 1: and so yeah, it was really cool. And I remember 96 00:06:29,236 --> 00:06:30,796 Speaker 1: finishing and being like, I want to do it again, 97 00:06:31,396 --> 00:06:35,716 Speaker 1: only you would get hit it. That is my total luck. 98 00:06:35,836 --> 00:06:40,676 Speaker 1: That really set the pace here. It sure did. But really, 99 00:06:40,876 --> 00:06:44,156 Speaker 1: Ariana says the bar high with everything she does. I mean, 100 00:06:44,356 --> 00:06:46,276 Speaker 1: have you heard this girl saying I Have Nothing by 101 00:06:46,316 --> 00:06:51,276 Speaker 1: Whitney Houston. It's one of the hardest pop songs there is. Yeah, yeah, yeah, 102 00:06:51,316 --> 00:06:54,516 Speaker 1: I love that song. That's always one of my favorites. 103 00:06:54,676 --> 00:06:56,636 Speaker 1: That was one of our first songs that we did 104 00:06:56,676 --> 00:07:00,396 Speaker 1: together when we had our one of our first lessons, right, yeah, exactly. 105 00:07:00,676 --> 00:07:02,916 Speaker 1: I remember I always think of you with that song 106 00:07:03,036 --> 00:07:04,796 Speaker 1: and how great it was, and I think it's one 107 00:07:04,796 --> 00:07:06,756 Speaker 1: of the best songs ever written. I love that song 108 00:07:06,876 --> 00:07:09,356 Speaker 1: so much. And then when David Foster came and played 109 00:07:09,356 --> 00:07:12,556 Speaker 1: the piano for you that night, I remember it. For 110 00:07:12,716 --> 00:07:16,556 Speaker 1: anyone who doesn't know, David Foster is a hugely successful 111 00:07:16,596 --> 00:07:21,236 Speaker 1: songwriter and producer. His really long long list of collaborations 112 00:07:21,276 --> 00:07:24,916 Speaker 1: includes artists like Slean, diond Whitney Houston, Michael Boblet. The 113 00:07:24,996 --> 00:07:28,356 Speaker 1: list is endless. That was so insane. I remember being 114 00:07:28,516 --> 00:07:32,476 Speaker 1: like so in awe and just so shook that that happened. 115 00:07:32,556 --> 00:07:34,916 Speaker 1: This was obviously a way later for those listening who 116 00:07:34,956 --> 00:07:37,796 Speaker 1: don't know the context. This was after thirteen and after 117 00:07:37,876 --> 00:07:40,396 Speaker 1: I met Eric and he had introduced me to David 118 00:07:40,436 --> 00:07:42,436 Speaker 1: and I got to sing it with him, and that 119 00:07:42,556 --> 00:07:48,676 Speaker 1: was a really cool thing that was at the Forum. 120 00:07:48,756 --> 00:07:50,756 Speaker 1: But She's also saying it at my house at parties. 121 00:07:51,476 --> 00:07:54,196 Speaker 1: The only parties, just for context, that I've ever been 122 00:07:54,236 --> 00:07:56,476 Speaker 1: to in my entire life, have all been Eric Vitro parties. 123 00:07:57,076 --> 00:08:01,516 Speaker 1: Just so everyone knows, I have been to four parties 124 00:08:01,556 --> 00:08:03,876 Speaker 1: in my life and they've all been Eric Vitro parties. 125 00:08:04,276 --> 00:08:07,356 Speaker 1: It's not true, it is, I promise they were the best. 126 00:08:07,556 --> 00:08:09,636 Speaker 1: It's so much fun. There's always so much music and 127 00:08:09,716 --> 00:08:13,276 Speaker 1: so much singing and great company. So I gotta tell you, 128 00:08:13,516 --> 00:08:17,076 Speaker 1: there's something really so special about seeing Ariana sing in 129 00:08:17,116 --> 00:08:19,436 Speaker 1: an intimate setting, you know, in a house or in 130 00:08:19,476 --> 00:08:22,676 Speaker 1: a backyard at a small party. Of course, not all 131 00:08:22,716 --> 00:08:25,116 Speaker 1: of the parties we had were small and cozy. For 132 00:08:25,276 --> 00:08:27,596 Speaker 1: one of them that her mom, Joan and I threw together, 133 00:08:27,996 --> 00:08:31,116 Speaker 1: we actually crammed about three hundred people in a gigantic 134 00:08:31,196 --> 00:08:34,116 Speaker 1: tent we put up covering my tennis court. We brought 135 00:08:34,196 --> 00:08:37,636 Speaker 1: in all white sofas and chairs. We placed a gorgeous 136 00:08:37,636 --> 00:08:40,196 Speaker 1: grand piano right in the center behind the pool, and 137 00:08:40,276 --> 00:08:42,556 Speaker 1: the pool was filled with floating white candles. So it 138 00:08:42,676 --> 00:08:46,236 Speaker 1: was pretty magical. But whether she's at a stadium with 139 00:08:46,356 --> 00:08:50,356 Speaker 1: fifty thousand people or in a tent, anytime that Ariana 140 00:08:50,516 --> 00:08:53,156 Speaker 1: is singing. She brings her all even when she's doing 141 00:08:53,276 --> 00:09:06,676 Speaker 1: karaoke with friends. Oh my god, that was the best 142 00:09:06,756 --> 00:09:09,636 Speaker 1: night of my life. That was so much fun, and 143 00:09:09,716 --> 00:09:13,236 Speaker 1: I remembered I was mesmerized because well, first of all, 144 00:09:13,276 --> 00:09:16,276 Speaker 1: you knew every song, every melody, every lyric, and you 145 00:09:16,356 --> 00:09:20,276 Speaker 1: could improvise on them, which was amazing. But also, I 146 00:09:20,356 --> 00:09:22,316 Speaker 1: don't know if I've ever seen you look more joyous. 147 00:09:23,036 --> 00:09:26,236 Speaker 1: Here's the other thing, more at peace. You looked so peaceful, 148 00:09:26,316 --> 00:09:30,556 Speaker 1: like ah, I wondered if you wanted to talk about 149 00:09:30,556 --> 00:09:33,356 Speaker 1: it a little bit. How has that developed your voice 150 00:09:33,396 --> 00:09:37,196 Speaker 1: and taste? I think the theater music gives me so 151 00:09:37,396 --> 00:09:39,476 Speaker 1: much joy. That was the most fun night. It was 152 00:09:39,556 --> 00:09:43,316 Speaker 1: like such a precious thing. Theater babies. It's just a 153 00:09:43,396 --> 00:09:46,876 Speaker 1: different kind of nostalgia. Listening to musical theater is a 154 00:09:47,036 --> 00:09:51,716 Speaker 1: different kind of fulfilling car ride, you know, like if 155 00:09:51,756 --> 00:09:55,516 Speaker 1: you throw on some avenue que or wicked in the car, 156 00:09:55,836 --> 00:10:00,676 Speaker 1: like you're just guaranteed to feel comforted. Most Broadway songs 157 00:10:00,756 --> 00:10:04,036 Speaker 1: have longer sustained notes than pop songs. Do you can 158 00:10:04,116 --> 00:10:06,676 Speaker 1: hear it here where Arianna sings the theme song from 159 00:10:06,676 --> 00:10:12,836 Speaker 1: Beauty and the Beast to it can be and so 160 00:10:13,116 --> 00:10:15,916 Speaker 1: in order to sing them well, people have to develop 161 00:10:15,996 --> 00:10:18,396 Speaker 1: their lung capacity on their breadth support so they can 162 00:10:18,516 --> 00:10:23,236 Speaker 1: hold those longer notes. Also, broadway songs usually have wider 163 00:10:23,316 --> 00:10:26,236 Speaker 1: pitch ranges, so singers need to do vocal exercises and 164 00:10:26,516 --> 00:10:29,676 Speaker 1: learn techniques that will increase their range. These are a 165 00:10:29,756 --> 00:10:32,396 Speaker 1: few of the reasons singing these songs are so helpful 166 00:10:32,436 --> 00:10:36,716 Speaker 1: and developing someone's voice. However, there is a really big 167 00:10:36,796 --> 00:10:39,076 Speaker 1: difference in the way you use your voice when singing 168 00:10:39,156 --> 00:10:43,596 Speaker 1: pop as opposed to Broadway. There's a humongous difference. Of course, 169 00:10:43,716 --> 00:10:46,436 Speaker 1: you use a totally different part of your voice for 170 00:10:46,716 --> 00:10:48,596 Speaker 1: each And of course I don't you know what I mean, 171 00:10:48,636 --> 00:10:50,476 Speaker 1: Like I would never sing a Broadway song with my 172 00:10:50,596 --> 00:10:54,916 Speaker 1: pop placement, but you know, I grew up singing theater, 173 00:10:55,036 --> 00:10:56,516 Speaker 1: so of course that's where my heart is. I wish 174 00:10:56,556 --> 00:10:57,876 Speaker 1: I got to do more of it. I wish I 175 00:10:57,956 --> 00:10:59,956 Speaker 1: could go beyond Broadway. I wish I could go sing 176 00:11:00,076 --> 00:11:04,916 Speaker 1: more musical songs. That's like the easiest, most fun most soaring, freeing, 177 00:11:05,756 --> 00:11:09,356 Speaker 1: beautiful feeling. Ever as singing show tunes. That to me, 178 00:11:09,476 --> 00:11:13,756 Speaker 1: it's like my heaven. But of course, like you can't 179 00:11:13,836 --> 00:11:15,556 Speaker 1: use that placement on a pop song either you know 180 00:11:15,556 --> 00:11:19,316 Speaker 1: what I mean, Like you can't sing like been here 181 00:11:19,396 --> 00:11:22,716 Speaker 1: all night, like you can't like been here all day 182 00:11:24,756 --> 00:11:32,276 Speaker 1: by got me a walk inside to side. Well I'm 183 00:11:32,316 --> 00:11:34,036 Speaker 1: trying to hide it. I forgot the words and I 184 00:11:34,116 --> 00:11:36,236 Speaker 1: wrote them, So there you go. You could do it. 185 00:11:36,356 --> 00:11:38,996 Speaker 1: I just don't think it would be standing over here 186 00:11:39,396 --> 00:11:44,156 Speaker 1: with your body. I don't know. Thank you. Next, Yes, 187 00:11:46,716 --> 00:11:52,316 Speaker 1: d up with sean body wasn't a much you or 188 00:11:52,436 --> 00:11:54,316 Speaker 1: break up with your boyfriend? Can you imagine that? And 189 00:11:54,356 --> 00:11:59,756 Speaker 1: as soprano you got me some type of way. I 190 00:11:59,836 --> 00:12:04,436 Speaker 1: don't know. That's not funny. I'm just a feeling this way. Yeah, yeah, 191 00:12:05,316 --> 00:12:07,956 Speaker 1: no no no, say no no, no, no, no no. 192 00:12:09,996 --> 00:12:12,796 Speaker 1: This is backstage Pass with Eric Vitro and we'll be 193 00:12:12,996 --> 00:12:25,916 Speaker 1: right back. Thanks for listening to backstage Pass. Let's get 194 00:12:25,956 --> 00:12:29,436 Speaker 1: back to chatting with Ariana Grande, getting back to voice lessons. 195 00:12:29,516 --> 00:12:32,836 Speaker 1: Remember what I said earlier, A voice teacher has to 196 00:12:32,996 --> 00:12:35,796 Speaker 1: really listen to where a singer is at in the moment. 197 00:12:36,396 --> 00:12:39,036 Speaker 1: They might be physically tired, or they might have oversung 198 00:12:39,156 --> 00:12:41,596 Speaker 1: the day before, or they might have been doing interviews 199 00:12:41,676 --> 00:12:44,956 Speaker 1: and talking for hours before their lesson. All of these 200 00:12:45,076 --> 00:12:47,396 Speaker 1: factors determine what the warm up needs to look like. 201 00:12:48,076 --> 00:12:50,556 Speaker 1: Sometimes a singer will tell me what's going on, but 202 00:12:51,276 --> 00:12:53,516 Speaker 1: usually I can hear it in their speaking voice when 203 00:12:53,556 --> 00:12:55,236 Speaker 1: they come in, and I know what we need to 204 00:12:55,316 --> 00:12:58,396 Speaker 1: do that day. It could be that they're stressed, which 205 00:12:58,476 --> 00:13:01,596 Speaker 1: creates a tight, constricted tone, so I'll use techniques that 206 00:13:01,676 --> 00:13:04,196 Speaker 1: help them loosen up so they can sing more freely 207 00:13:04,276 --> 00:13:07,516 Speaker 1: and feel more flexible. Or they might be singing too 208 00:13:07,636 --> 00:13:10,436 Speaker 1: heavy in their lower range, which makes it impossible to 209 00:13:10,516 --> 00:13:13,796 Speaker 1: make a smooth transition into their higher notes. There are 210 00:13:13,876 --> 00:13:15,956 Speaker 1: days when I just go, all right, this is going 211 00:13:16,036 --> 00:13:17,676 Speaker 1: to take a little longer. It's going to be a 212 00:13:17,716 --> 00:13:19,756 Speaker 1: little bit more of a process to warm up their voice, 213 00:13:19,956 --> 00:13:22,836 Speaker 1: but I always know we're going to get there. A 214 00:13:22,916 --> 00:13:25,916 Speaker 1: lot of people really don't like those wide range exercises 215 00:13:25,956 --> 00:13:28,636 Speaker 1: starting really low and going really high, but you do. Yeah. 216 00:13:28,796 --> 00:13:32,076 Speaker 1: I like the big stretches. I like can't wait. I 217 00:13:32,156 --> 00:13:34,156 Speaker 1: always want to go really really really high, and You're 218 00:13:34,156 --> 00:13:36,556 Speaker 1: always like, we have to warm up your low range. 219 00:13:36,876 --> 00:13:39,516 Speaker 1: You're like, we have to exercise the whole thing. Relax, 220 00:13:39,636 --> 00:13:42,476 Speaker 1: And I'm always like ready to go, and she always is. 221 00:13:42,676 --> 00:13:46,596 Speaker 1: She's always ready to go. But she's also a perfectionist, 222 00:13:46,716 --> 00:13:49,196 Speaker 1: and that means she can be really hard on herself. 223 00:13:49,916 --> 00:13:55,956 Speaker 1: Oh I am so I'm so so so brutal with that, 224 00:13:56,436 --> 00:14:00,556 Speaker 1: you know you I am. I Yeah, No, I'm very 225 00:14:01,396 --> 00:14:03,796 Speaker 1: I can't stand it. Yeah, But anyway, you have that 226 00:14:03,916 --> 00:14:07,676 Speaker 1: incredible ear that's like ridiculous, thank you, ridiculous. It makes 227 00:14:07,676 --> 00:14:11,676 Speaker 1: it very annoying to work with me. When you have 228 00:14:11,756 --> 00:14:13,996 Speaker 1: a great sense of pitch, it can drive you crazy 229 00:14:14,036 --> 00:14:17,476 Speaker 1: if you hear the slightest note off. I always had 230 00:14:17,476 --> 00:14:23,036 Speaker 1: a very very very like picky sensitive ear, and it's 231 00:14:23,236 --> 00:14:26,796 Speaker 1: kind of made me into a perfectionist and kind of 232 00:14:26,876 --> 00:14:31,076 Speaker 1: this neurotic control freak. And when it comes to camping 233 00:14:31,236 --> 00:14:35,996 Speaker 1: my own vocals and vocal production and arranging and producing 234 00:14:36,076 --> 00:14:39,596 Speaker 1: and stuff like that, if the EQ changes even a 235 00:14:39,716 --> 00:14:42,636 Speaker 1: little bit, I'll be able to tell Yeah, I don't know. 236 00:14:42,716 --> 00:14:46,596 Speaker 1: It's always been something that I've noticed in a big way, 237 00:14:47,036 --> 00:14:51,356 Speaker 1: and I think that's been a great thing to kind 238 00:14:51,396 --> 00:14:54,316 Speaker 1: of grow into having all the control over in my life. 239 00:14:54,356 --> 00:14:56,516 Speaker 1: I've just been I've learned, you know, how to do 240 00:14:56,596 --> 00:14:59,516 Speaker 1: it myself throughout the years and kind of like that's 241 00:14:59,556 --> 00:15:03,756 Speaker 1: been really cool. My MD Johnny, he said that my 242 00:15:04,236 --> 00:15:08,236 Speaker 1: ears are like a telescope, and I can analyze the 243 00:15:08,276 --> 00:15:10,836 Speaker 1: surface of Mars. But it's a blassing and a curse, 244 00:15:10,836 --> 00:15:13,476 Speaker 1: because like, it's wonderful to be able to articulate what 245 00:15:13,556 --> 00:15:15,996 Speaker 1: I want and how exactly I want my voice to 246 00:15:16,076 --> 00:15:20,676 Speaker 1: be mixed. And you know, of course, that's how you 247 00:15:20,796 --> 00:15:23,356 Speaker 1: create a sound, and that's how you can control your 248 00:15:23,396 --> 00:15:25,676 Speaker 1: tone and have that be a part of your sound. 249 00:15:26,196 --> 00:15:30,196 Speaker 1: But I wish I could just relax. I think it 250 00:15:30,276 --> 00:15:32,996 Speaker 1: can be easy for fans to forget how much work 251 00:15:33,036 --> 00:15:37,156 Speaker 1: goes into being a professional singer. There's constant interviews, writing 252 00:15:37,236 --> 00:15:41,156 Speaker 1: and recording sessions, rehearsals, and being on tour. Touring is 253 00:15:41,236 --> 00:15:44,116 Speaker 1: really hard, and that's why so often I do FaceTime 254 00:15:44,156 --> 00:15:47,436 Speaker 1: warm ups with my students on their performance days, usually 255 00:15:47,556 --> 00:15:50,356 Speaker 1: in their dressing rooms before the sound checks or the shows. 256 00:15:50,996 --> 00:15:55,196 Speaker 1: The schedules and traveling can be grueling. Plus think about 257 00:15:55,236 --> 00:15:57,996 Speaker 1: it being around all those people. It can lead to 258 00:15:58,036 --> 00:16:01,396 Speaker 1: a lot of colds and flues. Ariana does shows all 259 00:16:01,476 --> 00:16:04,636 Speaker 1: the time when she's sick. To her and most singers 260 00:16:04,716 --> 00:16:08,236 Speaker 1: I know, canceling a show is devastating. You don't want 261 00:16:08,236 --> 00:16:11,276 Speaker 1: to disappoint yours and you know how much work everyone 262 00:16:11,436 --> 00:16:14,476 Speaker 1: is put in, from the dancers, the musicians, the crew, 263 00:16:14,676 --> 00:16:18,316 Speaker 1: the makeup people, the hair people, everybody. Everyone is working 264 00:16:18,356 --> 00:16:20,756 Speaker 1: behind the scenes for every single show, and you don't 265 00:16:20,756 --> 00:16:22,916 Speaker 1: want to let them down by not getting on the stage. 266 00:16:23,476 --> 00:16:25,836 Speaker 1: But when your ear nose and throat doctor tells you 267 00:16:25,956 --> 00:16:29,516 Speaker 1: that not canceling could lead to you canceling an entire tour, 268 00:16:30,396 --> 00:16:33,356 Speaker 1: or could even result in permanently harming your voice, you 269 00:16:33,476 --> 00:16:37,356 Speaker 1: have to cancel. You just have to. I've unfortunately had 270 00:16:37,436 --> 00:16:39,916 Speaker 1: to cancel a couple of shows in the past, of course, 271 00:16:40,036 --> 00:16:44,236 Speaker 1: like six years, because I think that it is physically 272 00:16:44,356 --> 00:16:49,556 Speaker 1: so demanding and so strenuous to do hundreds of shows 273 00:16:49,676 --> 00:16:54,236 Speaker 1: around the world, and it's incredible, but it's also physically 274 00:16:54,356 --> 00:16:57,476 Speaker 1: very tasking, and between the traveling and the flying and 275 00:16:57,596 --> 00:16:59,996 Speaker 1: the bus and everything, and it's like your body kind 276 00:17:00,036 --> 00:17:03,276 Speaker 1: of becomes very run down. And I know for me personally, 277 00:17:04,036 --> 00:17:07,316 Speaker 1: I was sick for like four out of ten months 278 00:17:07,356 --> 00:17:10,516 Speaker 1: on the Sweetener tour, and thankfully I had to cancel 279 00:17:10,636 --> 00:17:13,396 Speaker 1: like one show, I think or two, but one of 280 00:17:13,436 --> 00:17:16,516 Speaker 1: them was because I had a tomato allergy. But thankfully 281 00:17:16,836 --> 00:17:21,276 Speaker 1: the rest of it I was either healthy or able 282 00:17:21,316 --> 00:17:24,636 Speaker 1: to sing around the conditions I was dealing with, which 283 00:17:24,756 --> 00:17:31,916 Speaker 1: was like bronchitis for most of it. I think the 284 00:17:32,076 --> 00:17:35,236 Speaker 1: reason why I was able to get through so many 285 00:17:35,436 --> 00:17:39,916 Speaker 1: shows as I was when I was sick was due 286 00:17:39,956 --> 00:17:42,436 Speaker 1: to our work together and our warm ups. Like I 287 00:17:42,516 --> 00:17:47,556 Speaker 1: would wake up with just air coming out, and just 288 00:17:47,996 --> 00:17:50,516 Speaker 1: like no sound would be able to come out, and 289 00:17:50,676 --> 00:17:53,236 Speaker 1: I would I would go to my sink to brush 290 00:17:53,276 --> 00:17:55,196 Speaker 1: my teeth and like start waking up my body and 291 00:17:55,516 --> 00:17:58,396 Speaker 1: I would go and sometimes air would come out, and 292 00:17:58,436 --> 00:18:00,396 Speaker 1: sometimes it wouldn't, and sometimes sound would come out, and 293 00:18:00,436 --> 00:18:03,236 Speaker 1: sometimes it wouldn't, and I'd say, okay. I would stay 294 00:18:03,316 --> 00:18:07,036 Speaker 1: silent for two more hours until I ate breakfast and 295 00:18:07,116 --> 00:18:08,876 Speaker 1: I did my routine, and then I would do a 296 00:18:08,876 --> 00:18:11,516 Speaker 1: little more like then it would come back a little 297 00:18:11,596 --> 00:18:14,156 Speaker 1: more and then I would rest again, and then by 298 00:18:14,196 --> 00:18:18,196 Speaker 1: the time it was ready for warm up time, I 299 00:18:18,316 --> 00:18:21,276 Speaker 1: could get out the sounds that I was that I 300 00:18:21,356 --> 00:18:22,836 Speaker 1: needed to get out. And by the end of our 301 00:18:22,916 --> 00:18:25,756 Speaker 1: work together, like we would do our warm up and 302 00:18:25,836 --> 00:18:27,836 Speaker 1: then we would take our little five minute breaks and 303 00:18:27,876 --> 00:18:29,356 Speaker 1: I'd be silent for five minutes, and then we do 304 00:18:29,356 --> 00:18:31,916 Speaker 1: another fifteen minutes and I'd be silent for another five minutes. 305 00:18:32,116 --> 00:18:34,356 Speaker 1: We do another fifteen minutes, and by the time that 306 00:18:34,436 --> 00:18:36,556 Speaker 1: I was ready to go on stage, my voice was 307 00:18:38,356 --> 00:18:40,476 Speaker 1: making all of the sounds, like all of the notes 308 00:18:40,516 --> 00:18:42,956 Speaker 1: were there. And when she's on tour, there are times 309 00:18:43,036 --> 00:18:45,956 Speaker 1: when she can be thirteen or fourteen or fifteen or 310 00:18:46,076 --> 00:18:49,956 Speaker 1: however many hours ahead of LA time. Eric used to 311 00:18:50,036 --> 00:18:52,716 Speaker 1: wake up at crazy times when I was overseas on 312 00:18:52,836 --> 00:18:54,756 Speaker 1: tour to warm me up, and it would be like 313 00:18:55,436 --> 00:18:59,756 Speaker 1: the sweetest, best blessing ever. I was like, Wow, thank God, 314 00:19:00,236 --> 00:19:02,916 Speaker 1: all right. Just so you understand, on the days that 315 00:19:03,036 --> 00:19:05,436 Speaker 1: I did those warmups at two or three in the morning, 316 00:19:05,516 --> 00:19:07,596 Speaker 1: I would actually do them from bed. I mean, it's 317 00:19:07,596 --> 00:19:09,756 Speaker 1: too cold to get out of bed and go downstairs. 318 00:19:09,836 --> 00:19:12,036 Speaker 1: So let me explain how I did it. I have 319 00:19:12,156 --> 00:19:14,236 Speaker 1: a whole riek set up in my bedroom. I have 320 00:19:14,276 --> 00:19:16,716 Speaker 1: an adjustable bed that sits me up so I'm in 321 00:19:16,756 --> 00:19:19,316 Speaker 1: a good sitting position. I have a table that swings 322 00:19:19,316 --> 00:19:22,156 Speaker 1: out over me with my keyboard on it and my 323 00:19:22,276 --> 00:19:25,516 Speaker 1: laptop so I can see her, and we go from there. 324 00:19:26,556 --> 00:19:30,796 Speaker 1: That work was really what kept me healthy for ninety 325 00:19:30,876 --> 00:19:34,156 Speaker 1: nine percent of the tour, and I really am appreciative 326 00:19:34,196 --> 00:19:35,716 Speaker 1: of that. I don't want to miss my opportunity to 327 00:19:35,796 --> 00:19:39,396 Speaker 1: say that our work together kept me healthy and I didn't. 328 00:19:39,676 --> 00:19:42,196 Speaker 1: Thank god, I've never had to cancel a tour because 329 00:19:42,196 --> 00:19:45,196 Speaker 1: of a hemorrhage or been at a loss, you know 330 00:19:45,196 --> 00:19:47,396 Speaker 1: what I mean. So it's just been such a blessing 331 00:19:47,476 --> 00:19:49,876 Speaker 1: to learn how to sing around those things with you, 332 00:19:50,116 --> 00:19:57,196 Speaker 1: and to sing and have technique that has been evolving 333 00:19:57,316 --> 00:20:02,276 Speaker 1: and maturing and improving over the years, and get through 334 00:20:02,676 --> 00:20:05,636 Speaker 1: hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of live shows 335 00:20:06,196 --> 00:20:08,996 Speaker 1: where I'm singing live for two hours at a time, 336 00:20:09,996 --> 00:20:12,956 Speaker 1: and I'm very appreciative. I think a lot of that 337 00:20:13,396 --> 00:20:16,636 Speaker 1: is just our work together and training to become a 338 00:20:16,716 --> 00:20:20,716 Speaker 1: healthy vocalist. Thank god, I've been able to sing through 339 00:20:20,796 --> 00:20:22,836 Speaker 1: things like that because it starts from the moment you 340 00:20:22,916 --> 00:20:25,916 Speaker 1: wake up. You don't warm up forty five minutes before 341 00:20:25,956 --> 00:20:29,316 Speaker 1: the show, and you don't you know, put it down 342 00:20:29,396 --> 00:20:31,196 Speaker 1: the second you get off stage. It starts from the 343 00:20:31,236 --> 00:20:33,556 Speaker 1: minute you wake up. Thank God, I think I've had 344 00:20:33,596 --> 00:20:36,076 Speaker 1: pretty good luck. I thankfully you've never had to cancel 345 00:20:36,876 --> 00:20:40,476 Speaker 1: massive amounts of shows or anything because of my voice. 346 00:20:40,876 --> 00:20:44,516 Speaker 1: It's been such an incredible blessing, and it's been a 347 00:20:44,596 --> 00:20:47,316 Speaker 1: lot of work. Yeah, it has been a lot of work, 348 00:20:47,436 --> 00:20:50,316 Speaker 1: but it's been so much fun it doesn't really feel 349 00:20:50,396 --> 00:20:52,996 Speaker 1: like work. And I gotta say, for better or worse, 350 00:20:53,236 --> 00:20:58,236 Speaker 1: for Ariana, that spirit and drive is constantly there. I 351 00:20:58,436 --> 00:21:01,756 Speaker 1: remember one night at the Forum and you did like 352 00:21:01,956 --> 00:21:04,236 Speaker 1: I think it was six shows in a row, which 353 00:21:04,276 --> 00:21:06,796 Speaker 1: I thought was insanity, but you were making up for 354 00:21:06,876 --> 00:21:09,596 Speaker 1: one that had to be canceled, and your mother pulled 355 00:21:09,596 --> 00:21:12,996 Speaker 1: me aside and said, would you please please encourage her 356 00:21:13,076 --> 00:21:15,356 Speaker 1: just to rest tonight. And I went, well, of course 357 00:21:15,396 --> 00:21:18,196 Speaker 1: she's gonna rest, Joan, and she went no, I don't 358 00:21:18,236 --> 00:21:19,556 Speaker 1: think she is. And I said, I don't know what 359 00:21:19,596 --> 00:21:21,076 Speaker 1: you're talking about. And then I went over to you 360 00:21:21,156 --> 00:21:23,156 Speaker 1: and I said, now you're gonna rest your voice tight, 361 00:21:23,196 --> 00:21:24,596 Speaker 1: and you looked at me and said, no, I'm going 362 00:21:24,676 --> 00:21:26,756 Speaker 1: to the studio. And I was like, oh, it's one 363 00:21:26,796 --> 00:21:29,396 Speaker 1: in the morning. You can't go to the studio, and 364 00:21:29,436 --> 00:21:31,436 Speaker 1: you went, no, I'm going to I'm very inspired and 365 00:21:31,516 --> 00:21:35,716 Speaker 1: i want to record. Yeah, you're very upset with me 366 00:21:35,836 --> 00:21:38,436 Speaker 1: that night. See that's the thing. There's like it's like 367 00:21:39,396 --> 00:21:42,196 Speaker 1: once it's on autopilot, like once the chords are like, 368 00:21:42,276 --> 00:21:45,756 Speaker 1: oh I got it. Whatever show schmow we can do 369 00:21:45,836 --> 00:21:50,956 Speaker 1: this sweeteners show whatever. Like once it's in autopilot and 370 00:21:51,116 --> 00:21:54,636 Speaker 1: your body's like not recovering from bronchitis, you're just kind 371 00:21:54,636 --> 00:21:57,236 Speaker 1: of like, oh, yeah, the notes are there, they'll come out. 372 00:21:57,356 --> 00:22:00,796 Speaker 1: Let's go to the studio after whatever. So it's like, yeah, 373 00:22:01,276 --> 00:22:03,396 Speaker 1: you're not pleased with me that night. I think I 374 00:22:03,556 --> 00:22:05,916 Speaker 1: was scarred from that night though, because I just know 375 00:22:06,036 --> 00:22:07,596 Speaker 1: you weren't going to go home, even though in my 376 00:22:07,676 --> 00:22:10,196 Speaker 1: mind I was thinking, I can go home and rest, 377 00:22:10,356 --> 00:22:14,516 Speaker 1: rest that voice. And I'm always trying to send out 378 00:22:14,596 --> 00:22:18,316 Speaker 1: that mental telepathy, that vocal juju. Come on, drink a 379 00:22:18,356 --> 00:22:21,276 Speaker 1: lot of water, get some rest, get twelve hours sleep tonight. 380 00:22:21,716 --> 00:22:23,676 Speaker 1: But no matter how much I do it, and no 381 00:22:23,796 --> 00:22:26,556 Speaker 1: matter how many times I tell someone, rest your voice, 382 00:22:26,756 --> 00:22:29,196 Speaker 1: go home, don't go to that party. After party, what 383 00:22:29,316 --> 00:22:32,436 Speaker 1: a bore. But you know, sometimes they don't always listen, 384 00:22:32,956 --> 00:22:36,116 Speaker 1: but I do. I'm always listening, And because I listen, 385 00:22:36,236 --> 00:22:39,356 Speaker 1: I'm pretty aware of how my students voices are constantly changing, 386 00:22:39,836 --> 00:22:43,796 Speaker 1: hopefully for the better, hopefully improving. I was curious, though, 387 00:22:43,876 --> 00:22:46,876 Speaker 1: what Ariana thought about her vocal evolution, so I asked her, 388 00:22:47,996 --> 00:22:50,596 Speaker 1: how would you say your voice has changed over the years. 389 00:22:52,276 --> 00:22:56,436 Speaker 1: Oh that's a good question. It's funny because I listened 390 00:22:56,476 --> 00:23:00,476 Speaker 1: back to like my first album and I sound like 391 00:23:00,596 --> 00:23:03,876 Speaker 1: a baby. But I don't know when when it kind 392 00:23:03,956 --> 00:23:07,916 Speaker 1: of grew up. I guess even listening to old talking 393 00:23:09,156 --> 00:23:15,636 Speaker 1: voice was really kind of I think tired, which my 394 00:23:15,756 --> 00:23:20,916 Speaker 1: whole body was, to be fair, but I think I, yeah, 395 00:23:21,076 --> 00:23:24,876 Speaker 1: I hadn't found the balance yet with my schedule and 396 00:23:25,116 --> 00:23:27,396 Speaker 1: doing all that promo in the beginning, and doing all 397 00:23:27,436 --> 00:23:30,116 Speaker 1: that in the first few years of the music stuff. 398 00:23:30,236 --> 00:23:32,876 Speaker 1: I think my speaking voice and my singing voice were 399 00:23:33,556 --> 00:23:36,236 Speaker 1: they sounded so different because I think they also were tired. 400 00:23:36,876 --> 00:23:41,116 Speaker 1: I think that also strengthened my voice in a way 401 00:23:41,396 --> 00:23:44,916 Speaker 1: where like now, it really takes a lot, lot, lot, 402 00:23:45,076 --> 00:23:47,796 Speaker 1: lot lot more abuse to get me to that whispery, 403 00:23:47,916 --> 00:23:52,236 Speaker 1: raspy point, you know. But I don't know my voice 404 00:23:52,356 --> 00:24:00,676 Speaker 1: is healthier now through the years of touring and needing 405 00:24:00,756 --> 00:24:05,956 Speaker 1: to push through the shows and learning healthy placement and 406 00:24:07,156 --> 00:24:09,596 Speaker 1: kind of you know, having to make tain that. I 407 00:24:09,636 --> 00:24:13,876 Speaker 1: think it's just been experience in years of learning and 408 00:24:14,396 --> 00:24:19,236 Speaker 1: singing all these songs so many times, you know. Yeah, Well, 409 00:24:19,276 --> 00:24:22,516 Speaker 1: I think I think for people listening it's a lesson 410 00:24:22,676 --> 00:24:24,396 Speaker 1: in that I think, first of all, you were so 411 00:24:24,636 --> 00:24:27,916 Speaker 1: young when you were doing so much, and I think 412 00:24:28,276 --> 00:24:30,716 Speaker 1: that when you're young like that, your your vocal chords 413 00:24:30,756 --> 00:24:34,516 Speaker 1: aren't fully developed, so they're not not reach maturity. And 414 00:24:34,676 --> 00:24:37,836 Speaker 1: also when you're young, it's hard to always remind yourself, 415 00:24:37,876 --> 00:24:40,556 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, I should be supporting my speaking voice as 416 00:24:40,596 --> 00:24:43,156 Speaker 1: well as my singing voice, and I should take some 417 00:24:43,316 --> 00:24:46,116 Speaker 1: vocal rest tonight, and I should go to sleep. So 418 00:24:46,196 --> 00:24:47,836 Speaker 1: I think it's hard to remember those things. So I 419 00:24:47,916 --> 00:24:52,836 Speaker 1: think the combination of you learning, learning technique, your voice maturing, 420 00:24:52,956 --> 00:24:55,636 Speaker 1: and like you said, you had to sing through it 421 00:24:55,716 --> 00:24:57,476 Speaker 1: and get through it, and I think that also made 422 00:24:57,476 --> 00:25:00,236 Speaker 1: you stronger. Yeah, that's how I look at it. And 423 00:25:00,356 --> 00:25:04,196 Speaker 1: also all of our lessons and being able to work 424 00:25:04,316 --> 00:25:08,956 Speaker 1: through the exhaustion together and somehow always find a way 425 00:25:09,276 --> 00:25:11,996 Speaker 1: to make it all come out and feel beautiful and 426 00:25:12,076 --> 00:25:16,156 Speaker 1: healthy doing it. Like I don't remember many times where 427 00:25:16,196 --> 00:25:19,596 Speaker 1: I have like sunk through something and been like, oh, 428 00:25:19,716 --> 00:25:21,316 Speaker 1: thank god it happened and we got through it, you 429 00:25:21,316 --> 00:25:22,836 Speaker 1: know what I mean. Like, I feel like we've always 430 00:25:22,876 --> 00:25:24,596 Speaker 1: put in the work to make sure that even at 431 00:25:24,636 --> 00:25:28,076 Speaker 1: my most exhausted points, the vocals are the least of 432 00:25:28,116 --> 00:25:30,996 Speaker 1: our issues, I would agree with that that's never been 433 00:25:31,036 --> 00:25:34,356 Speaker 1: an issue for us. If anything, well Ariana really had 434 00:25:34,396 --> 00:25:37,356 Speaker 1: to deal with was her shift from Nickelodeon start to 435 00:25:37,476 --> 00:25:41,596 Speaker 1: growing into what she wanted to be as a recording artist. Yeah, 436 00:25:41,756 --> 00:25:45,996 Speaker 1: in the way beginning, like putting out the Way was 437 00:25:46,116 --> 00:25:51,956 Speaker 1: really freeing and terrifying for me because I was so 438 00:25:52,556 --> 00:25:55,356 Speaker 1: convinced that I had to be one thing, because people 439 00:25:55,436 --> 00:25:59,156 Speaker 1: knew me from my show that I was doing from Nickelodeon, 440 00:25:59,236 --> 00:26:00,756 Speaker 1: and I was playing a character that a lot of 441 00:26:00,836 --> 00:26:05,036 Speaker 1: people knew me as, and I was kind of terrified 442 00:26:05,076 --> 00:26:07,676 Speaker 1: to do what I actually wanted and make the music 443 00:26:07,716 --> 00:26:10,876 Speaker 1: that I actually wanted to make, can have my brown 444 00:26:10,956 --> 00:26:14,956 Speaker 1: hair and be you know where thigh high boots and 445 00:26:15,116 --> 00:26:17,956 Speaker 1: what I wanted to be. I think that was also 446 00:26:19,076 --> 00:26:20,876 Speaker 1: a really big moment for me. It was putting out 447 00:26:20,916 --> 00:26:23,236 Speaker 1: my first single that like was on my first album 448 00:26:23,916 --> 00:26:27,636 Speaker 1: and taking that risk, like from the way beginning too. 449 00:26:28,036 --> 00:26:29,716 Speaker 1: You know. I think obviously as time went on, you 450 00:26:29,876 --> 00:26:31,156 Speaker 1: got to know more and more and more of me 451 00:26:31,276 --> 00:26:33,756 Speaker 1: as I lived in as the music became more and 452 00:26:33,836 --> 00:26:36,556 Speaker 1: more personal. But I think even just from the very 453 00:26:36,636 --> 00:26:38,836 Speaker 1: first single like that was a huge risk, you know, 454 00:26:39,596 --> 00:26:44,316 Speaker 1: It was a really incredible turning point for me. It 455 00:26:44,476 --> 00:26:47,316 Speaker 1: certainly worked out really well because The Way went triple 456 00:26:47,396 --> 00:26:49,836 Speaker 1: platinum at the age of nineteen. Our next guest is 457 00:26:49,876 --> 00:26:52,356 Speaker 1: the star of the Nickelodeon show Sam and Kat, and 458 00:26:52,476 --> 00:26:54,476 Speaker 1: she already has a top ten hit. Here to make 459 00:26:54,516 --> 00:26:58,516 Speaker 1: her television debut performing The Way. Please welcome Ariana Grande 460 00:26:58,836 --> 00:27:06,516 Speaker 1: featuring Mac Miller. One of my favorite pictures of us 461 00:27:06,636 --> 00:27:10,076 Speaker 1: is at Ellen underneath the show, and you had just 462 00:27:10,316 --> 00:27:14,316 Speaker 1: done The Way, and you looked so happy when we 463 00:27:14,396 --> 00:27:16,436 Speaker 1: were in the dressing room during her vocal warm up. 464 00:27:16,556 --> 00:27:18,876 Speaker 1: I just knew this was going to be the beginning 465 00:27:18,916 --> 00:27:22,116 Speaker 1: of a huge career. Of course, I wasn't the only one. 466 00:27:22,316 --> 00:27:25,316 Speaker 1: Everybody could see it, her fans, her friends, her family, 467 00:27:25,756 --> 00:27:28,476 Speaker 1: and a few minutes after it aired, Katy Perry actually 468 00:27:28,556 --> 00:27:32,156 Speaker 1: texted me and said, that girl is totally awesome. I 469 00:27:32,276 --> 00:27:35,796 Speaker 1: think she's the best voice in pop music. Do you 470 00:27:35,796 --> 00:27:38,356 Speaker 1: remember the first year you came to LA we spent 471 00:27:38,436 --> 00:27:41,316 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving together and we had it here at my house. 472 00:27:41,876 --> 00:27:44,716 Speaker 1: Your mom organized the entire thing. That was when I 473 00:27:44,836 --> 00:27:48,036 Speaker 1: learned Grand's an adjective. It's not just a name, it's 474 00:27:48,076 --> 00:27:50,796 Speaker 1: a model to live by. Your grandparents flew out, and 475 00:27:51,196 --> 00:27:52,636 Speaker 1: we were in the living room like a bunch of 476 00:27:52,716 --> 00:27:55,396 Speaker 1: us after dinner, and you saying I have nothing. I 477 00:27:55,516 --> 00:27:58,236 Speaker 1: played it and then I got up and your grandfather 478 00:27:58,396 --> 00:28:02,316 Speaker 1: was standing in the doorway. He hadn't come in, he 479 00:28:02,396 --> 00:28:05,716 Speaker 1: was just standing in the doorway observing everything. And I 480 00:28:05,836 --> 00:28:09,916 Speaker 1: said to him, you must be so proud of Arianna, 481 00:28:09,996 --> 00:28:13,636 Speaker 1: and he just nodded, said anyone, she's got it. And 482 00:28:13,796 --> 00:28:16,196 Speaker 1: I remember that was so touching to me, and so 483 00:28:16,236 --> 00:28:19,356 Speaker 1: I wanted to say to you, you've got it. We've 484 00:28:19,436 --> 00:28:24,436 Speaker 1: had some really beautiful special memories together. And yeah, you 485 00:28:24,556 --> 00:28:27,516 Speaker 1: and I have had like the best and most special 486 00:28:27,716 --> 00:28:31,516 Speaker 1: and most challenging and most beautiful times together, and we've 487 00:28:31,636 --> 00:28:35,236 Speaker 1: sung through it all. And it's been such a journey, 488 00:28:35,356 --> 00:28:38,316 Speaker 1: you know, it has been, that's for sure. That's a 489 00:28:38,796 --> 00:28:42,796 Speaker 1: beautiful journey. It feels like it's still the beginning in 490 00:28:42,916 --> 00:28:45,956 Speaker 1: a weird, funny way, you know. And I do know, 491 00:28:46,316 --> 00:28:49,316 Speaker 1: because this is just the beginning of a long and 492 00:28:49,596 --> 00:28:55,756 Speaker 1: beautiful career. I tell my students all the time, just 493 00:28:55,956 --> 00:29:00,116 Speaker 1: being talented isn't enough to guarantee success. It's the commitment 494 00:29:00,156 --> 00:29:03,316 Speaker 1: to your craft, your work ethic, your willingness to learn 495 00:29:03,476 --> 00:29:06,236 Speaker 1: and grow and to practice, and by practice I mean 496 00:29:06,356 --> 00:29:09,716 Speaker 1: practice a lot. Aside from her obvious Volk gifts, it's 497 00:29:09,756 --> 00:29:12,796 Speaker 1: connecting to her passion and working hard that helped Ariana 498 00:29:12,836 --> 00:29:16,916 Speaker 1: build such a fantastic career. That's what creates the magic. 499 00:29:17,436 --> 00:29:20,116 Speaker 1: That's what creates a true star, and isn't that true 500 00:29:20,156 --> 00:29:26,316 Speaker 1: for all professions? For me, experience in our friendship growing evolved, 501 00:29:26,436 --> 00:29:28,996 Speaker 1: that's been the best part of the relationship. I mean, 502 00:29:29,156 --> 00:29:31,636 Speaker 1: I'm aware she's a superstar in the eyes of the world, 503 00:29:31,916 --> 00:29:34,276 Speaker 1: but when we're alone, just the two of us in 504 00:29:34,396 --> 00:29:38,076 Speaker 1: my music room, nothing has changed from our first days together. 505 00:29:38,716 --> 00:29:41,556 Speaker 1: I hope hearing about Arianna's vocal journey has inspired you. 506 00:29:42,156 --> 00:29:52,516 Speaker 1: Knowing her has definitely inspired me. Each week I'll be 507 00:29:52,596 --> 00:29:55,396 Speaker 1: sharing a vocal tip, something I do with my students 508 00:29:55,476 --> 00:29:57,876 Speaker 1: that you can try at home, and this week's tip 509 00:29:58,036 --> 00:30:01,716 Speaker 1: is influenced by Ariana Grande herself. Stick around after the 510 00:30:01,796 --> 00:30:05,076 Speaker 1: break for this week's vocal tip and more from Ariana Grande. 511 00:30:10,156 --> 00:30:19,436 Speaker 1: And now for this week's vocal tip. I'm so glad 512 00:30:19,476 --> 00:30:22,676 Speaker 1: Arianna talked about her warming up process because it doesn't 513 00:30:22,716 --> 00:30:25,396 Speaker 1: matter how great your talent is, whether you're a singer 514 00:30:25,556 --> 00:30:28,516 Speaker 1: or a dancer, an actor, if you play an instrument 515 00:30:28,636 --> 00:30:31,436 Speaker 1: or play a sport. To get your best performance, you 516 00:30:31,556 --> 00:30:34,036 Speaker 1: need to warm up. I always like to do breathing 517 00:30:34,116 --> 00:30:37,276 Speaker 1: exercises at the top of every class. There's a million 518 00:30:37,356 --> 00:30:38,756 Speaker 1: of them, but I'm going to show you one that's 519 00:30:38,756 --> 00:30:41,916 Speaker 1: pretty simple and basic and easy to foul. Try this 520 00:30:42,116 --> 00:30:45,036 Speaker 1: at home. Put one hand on your chest, and that's 521 00:30:45,076 --> 00:30:46,996 Speaker 1: just to remind you to keep your chest up, your 522 00:30:47,116 --> 00:30:50,916 Speaker 1: ribs expanded. Then put one hand on your abdominal muscles 523 00:30:51,036 --> 00:30:53,996 Speaker 1: right around your belly button. Take in a deep breath, 524 00:30:54,116 --> 00:30:57,196 Speaker 1: so you're going to inhale, and as you inhale, allow 525 00:30:57,436 --> 00:31:02,476 Speaker 1: your abdominal muscles to slightly expand. And then when you exhale, 526 00:31:03,116 --> 00:31:06,196 Speaker 1: I want you to pull your abdominal muscles in, pushing 527 00:31:06,316 --> 00:31:09,036 Speaker 1: the air out. And as you're pushing the air out, 528 00:31:09,196 --> 00:31:14,516 Speaker 1: you're going to make a hissing sound. So try that 529 00:31:14,636 --> 00:31:17,836 Speaker 1: one more time. Take a deep breath in, allowing your 530 00:31:17,876 --> 00:31:21,716 Speaker 1: abdominal muscles to expand, and then pull them in as 531 00:31:21,756 --> 00:31:30,156 Speaker 1: you push the air out, making the hissing sound. When 532 00:31:30,196 --> 00:31:31,916 Speaker 1: you do this, count in your head and see how 533 00:31:31,996 --> 00:31:34,916 Speaker 1: long you can count for. The goal is to just 534 00:31:35,156 --> 00:31:38,236 Speaker 1: keep elongating that so that you take in deeper and 535 00:31:38,316 --> 00:31:41,836 Speaker 1: deeper breaths. You really fill your lungs to capacity. Start 536 00:31:41,916 --> 00:31:44,596 Speaker 1: stretching them so you can take in more air every time. 537 00:31:44,956 --> 00:31:47,476 Speaker 1: This way you can hold notes and songs longer or 538 00:31:47,556 --> 00:31:50,356 Speaker 1: sing longer lines without having to take a breath in 539 00:31:50,396 --> 00:31:53,436 Speaker 1: the middle. Now that you're connected to your breathing muscles, 540 00:31:53,836 --> 00:31:57,036 Speaker 1: let's try doing some of those roller coaster slides Ariana 541 00:31:57,076 --> 00:31:59,556 Speaker 1: talked about. Some people like to call them sirens. I 542 00:31:59,676 --> 00:32:03,156 Speaker 1: like to do them after the breathing exercises, So let's 543 00:32:03,196 --> 00:32:05,476 Speaker 1: try these at home. We're going to start on an 544 00:32:05,596 --> 00:32:08,876 Speaker 1: evowel because that's really the easiest one to keep forward 545 00:32:09,316 --> 00:32:11,196 Speaker 1: up front on the roof of your mouth. So what 546 00:32:11,316 --> 00:32:13,196 Speaker 1: I want you to do is, first take a deep 547 00:32:13,236 --> 00:32:18,996 Speaker 1: breath in and say he focusing all the vibrations of 548 00:32:19,116 --> 00:32:21,596 Speaker 1: that e vowel right up front on the roof of 549 00:32:21,596 --> 00:32:29,636 Speaker 1: your mouth. Try that. He Then take a deep breath, 550 00:32:29,716 --> 00:32:31,516 Speaker 1: and this time we're going to slide up and down, 551 00:32:31,636 --> 00:32:40,036 Speaker 1: just a short slide. He, So try to keep those 552 00:32:40,116 --> 00:32:42,196 Speaker 1: vibrations right up front on the roof of your mouth, 553 00:32:42,596 --> 00:32:45,436 Speaker 1: keep your mouth relaxed, and don't make it too loud. 554 00:32:45,596 --> 00:32:48,436 Speaker 1: Keep it nice and easy. These should feel very very 555 00:32:48,516 --> 00:32:53,196 Speaker 1: comfortable to do. Now, do a medium slide where you 556 00:32:53,276 --> 00:33:02,556 Speaker 1: go a little bit higher. He Next, let's do a 557 00:33:02,676 --> 00:33:05,676 Speaker 1: really long one, as high as you can comfortably, never straining, 558 00:33:06,036 --> 00:33:19,716 Speaker 1: but stretching almost to the very top of your range. Good. 559 00:33:20,356 --> 00:33:23,916 Speaker 1: They should feel very easy, very relaxed. You can wiggle 560 00:33:23,996 --> 00:33:26,236 Speaker 1: your body around as you do them. You can wiggle 561 00:33:26,316 --> 00:33:30,116 Speaker 1: your jaw just to keep everything loose and relaxed. Once 562 00:33:30,196 --> 00:33:32,516 Speaker 1: you feel like you've really gotten it and mastered it 563 00:33:32,636 --> 00:33:35,276 Speaker 1: on the E vowel and it feels comfortable, try other 564 00:33:35,356 --> 00:33:40,036 Speaker 1: vowels like ooh, oh ah or a. Now. I'm a 565 00:33:40,116 --> 00:33:44,276 Speaker 1: confirmed multitasker myself, so during my morning routine, I always 566 00:33:44,356 --> 00:33:46,036 Speaker 1: try to do a few other things so I'm not 567 00:33:46,156 --> 00:33:49,276 Speaker 1: wasting any time. What I do is I start my 568 00:33:49,436 --> 00:33:51,796 Speaker 1: day with a little warm tea, and then I toss 569 00:33:51,836 --> 00:33:54,236 Speaker 1: a Yuka shower bomb under the hot water to open 570 00:33:54,316 --> 00:33:57,676 Speaker 1: up my breathing passages. I sing the roller coaster slides 571 00:33:57,676 --> 00:33:59,996 Speaker 1: in the shower, because let's face it, when you're in 572 00:34:00,036 --> 00:34:03,276 Speaker 1: a hot, steamy shower, you can't help but feel relaxed 573 00:34:03,436 --> 00:34:06,596 Speaker 1: as you slowly warm up your voice. This process is 574 00:34:06,596 --> 00:34:10,036 Speaker 1: a great step towards developing the muscle memory singing freely 575 00:34:10,196 --> 00:34:12,796 Speaker 1: without tension. If you want to try out the vocal 576 00:34:12,836 --> 00:34:15,516 Speaker 1: tips from this episode, I'd love to hear you. Use 577 00:34:15,676 --> 00:34:20,436 Speaker 1: the hashtag Backstage Pass pod on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or 578 00:34:20,436 --> 00:34:22,916 Speaker 1: wherever you like to post. I can't wait to hear 579 00:34:22,996 --> 00:34:26,716 Speaker 1: your voices. Let me know how it goes, Maybe, Ma Me, 580 00:34:27,716 --> 00:34:40,036 Speaker 1: Ma Me. Backstage Pass with Eric Vitro is written and 581 00:34:40,156 --> 00:34:43,996 Speaker 1: hosted by me Eric Vitro and produced by Morgan Jaffee. 582 00:34:44,316 --> 00:34:48,476 Speaker 1: Katherine Giardo is our managing producer. Emily Rosstech is our 583 00:34:48,516 --> 00:34:53,876 Speaker 1: associate producer. Mixed and mastered by Ben Holliday. Additional engineering 584 00:34:53,916 --> 00:34:57,516 Speaker 1: help from Jacob Coorski. Mia Lobel is our VP of Content. 585 00:34:57,836 --> 00:35:01,516 Speaker 1: Director of Development Justine Lange helped create the show, thanks 586 00:35:01,556 --> 00:35:05,756 Speaker 1: also to Jacob Weisberg, Heather Fame, John Schnars, Carli Migliori, 587 00:35:05,956 --> 00:35:10,996 Speaker 1: Christina Sullivan, Eric Sandler, Maggie Taylor, Hoole, Morano, Daniello Lacan 588 00:35:11,156 --> 00:35:14,716 Speaker 1: and Royston Bazzerd. Original theme music by Jacob and Sita 589 00:35:14,796 --> 00:35:18,516 Speaker 1: Steele for Premiere Music Group. We record at Resonate Studios. 590 00:35:18,796 --> 00:35:22,076 Speaker 1: Fred Talisen does our videography and the photography is by 591 00:35:22,196 --> 00:35:25,796 Speaker 1: Ken Sawyer. Special thanks to Michael Lewis for inspiration and 592 00:35:25,956 --> 00:35:29,596 Speaker 1: the best guidance anybody could ask for, and for this episode, 593 00:35:29,676 --> 00:35:32,636 Speaker 1: thanks to Peter Stengard for mixing and mastering to LuSE 594 00:35:32,756 --> 00:35:36,316 Speaker 1: Grande Backstage Pass with Eric Vitro as a production of 595 00:35:36,396 --> 00:35:40,556 Speaker 1: Pushkin Industries. If you like the show, please remember to share, rate, 596 00:35:40,636 --> 00:35:44,436 Speaker 1: and review. I mean that really. To find more Pushkin 597 00:35:44,556 --> 00:35:48,676 Speaker 1: podcast listen to the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts or wherever 598 00:35:48,836 --> 00:35:54,596 Speaker 1: you listen to podcasts. Okay, and by the way, only 599 00:35:54,876 --> 00:35:57,596 Speaker 1: you would have a dog that can actually sing and 600 00:35:57,796 --> 00:36:01,316 Speaker 1: sing in tune. Yeah, it's like really bizarre. He sounds 601 00:36:01,316 --> 00:36:03,476 Speaker 1: like he has auto tune on, but he's learned from 602 00:36:03,476 --> 00:36:05,876 Speaker 1: the best. He listened to all the vocal exercises and 603 00:36:06,236 --> 00:36:07,636 Speaker 1: to lus's found to his voice.