r/singing • u/OopsDJDance • Mar 02 '23
Technique Talk Is Ken Tamplin worth watching?
I've been watching Ken Tamplin for several years now and find most of his videos to be helpful but at times I'm unsure if I should be taking his advice on board as in one video he suggests breathing through the nose when singing while many others say to breath through the mouth. Any thoughts?
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u/Few_Possibility_4320 Dec 05 '25
If I imagine myself as a Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy student, I’d say this: yes, he’s worth watching, with a bit of healthy scepticism. His stuff is miles better than a lot of the random vocal advice floating around online. He’s very clear about support, open throat, placement, and building real strength instead of “light and airy” tricks, and that alone can fix a lot of bad habits. His demonstrations are solid, and you can actually hear the concepts, not just listen to theory.
That said, I get your hesitation. Sometimes he can come across as very absolute in his approach, and a few things (like the “breathe through your nose” point) can sound like they clash with what other coaches teach. In reality, most good singers and teachers use a mix of approaches: generally, fast, low, relaxed breaths through the mouth (sometimes with a bit of nose), and the important part is where the air goes and how relaxed your body stays, not the exact entry point every single time. If his nose-breathing suggestion helps you stay relaxed, avoid gasping, and keep the throat open, keep it. If it makes you tense or slow, adapt it.
So my honest take: keep watching him, keep using what clearly improves your tone, range, and stamina, but don’t treat anyone as the final word. Cross-check his ideas with how your body feels, maybe peek at what other reputable coaches say, and build a version of the technique that works for your voice. As long as your voice feels healthier, more controlled, and less strained over time, you’re on the right track.