Voice Teachers React to Yebba - Distance (NPR Tiny Desk Concerts)

I hope this observation on how Yebba sings helps you figure out how the voice works better, so you can learn how to make smart choices in your own voice.
Social Media:
/ samjohnson
/ oksamjohnson
/ samjohnson
Use a straw to help balance your voice: oovostraw.com/...
Use code SAM for a 10% discount!
Go to www.vocalease.net to sign up for lessons with Sam or Vanessa through video chat!

[@swansox]

So happy to see you look at to Yebba again! I loved her Tiny Desk performance (and just her in general). I noticed the little “dirtiness” in her voice and was worried it might indicate damage (I know she smokes) so I’m relieved to hear you say it isn’t that. Her voice is so beautiful.

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Nothing in her sound makes me scared, but the only way to ever know is with a scope. Thanks for watching, she's awesome!

[@zwizh]

Okay all the way through it now-this was super fun. I love having Vanessa’s perspective on things. Even when y’all are saying the same thing overall, you both describe and illustrate it differently, so I get to understand in a more nuanced way.

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Yayyy it worked

[@Rosannasfriend]

That’s what I get out of watching multiple reaction channels where they react to the same video, lol.

[@lyssa71421]

This entire Tiny Desk stays on repeat

[@jaxs616]

Yebba is such an amazing vocalist, she blows me away. Also you two are so cute I'm in actual physical pain. We got a deal today, two great teachers in one video! 👏

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

You're so nice

[@niki4you]

Man oh man I love Yebba, all four songs on her tiny desk are just so enjoyable! I’d love to see you react to the rest of the tiny desk 💕

[@kracine9582]

This was great. Please do all of the songs in this Tiny Desk concert. It is so great!

[@oscarcallahan159]

Yebba is such an agile singer man. It’s crazy how people like her have that ability in the first place, I feel like most people only learn that from imitating other singers who do it first. It’s what I’ve heard from similarly talented artists in interviews or other things, but there’s usually a recurring theme of each one of them saying that they imitated their favorite singers runs until they could do it themselves at a young age. I’ve wondered if trying to accomplish runs at an early age also makes a persons “go to” singing coordination more agile in the process. I sure have heard a lot of singers with a lot of different types of voices be KILLER at riffing, no matter the voice type.

[@cayocampos7990]

Love this! Yebba is simply amazing ✨

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Thanks Cayo ! Have you been a fan of hers for a while?

[@manigarcia1319]

Hi! Loved the video, however when you're referring to "triplets" at 1:35, you're actually talking about syncopation haha. The examples you provided were triplets but what YEBBA is actually singing is not an example of that!

[@misswiss278]

oh god please react to yebba and mark ronson live at glastonbury where she sings dont leave me lonely tonight...this performance is just magical

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

That sounds great....big Mark Ronson fan here

[@zwizh]

I want someone to pull the one lolly/blueberry apple part of the video out as a stand-alone clip because without any context it sounds bonkers and is hilarious.

[@VocalAttitude]

Oh, nice, you should do this together more often. It's really fun!

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Wooooo glad it worked

[@VocalAttitude]

@@SamJohnsonVoice she might even be the funnier one out of the both of you 👀

[@dickieOiRed_07]

Wow what a singer! Such a great voice. Thank you for introducing me to Yebba.

[@Barb.....]

I was so excited to see you were analyzing Yebba! She is one of my favorite artists!

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Thanks so much for watching! There are much worse choices for favorite artist for sure

[@amberblaylock1973]

Pretty sure the “cain’t” vowel modification is due more to where she’s from and less to making it more singable. I’m from a few hours away from where she’s from and I hear that all the time. Lol.

[@michaelwoodruff5859]

At the beginning those are accented off beats rather than triplets. Those hits are falling in the second eighth note of each beat. It think they feel triplet-ish just because of how laid back they are.

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

I knew I was wrong looool

[@michaelwoodruff5859]

@@SamJohnsonVoice No worries lol. Loved the video!

[@KaylaJoySmith]

One of my clients was a family friend of Yebba when she was little! Such a small world

[@adamdecoder1]

The words "love all over" aren't in triplets. It's just syncopated, meaning the words/notes land on off-beats. It can sort of sound like a triplet if you don't time it out, but it's def not the same thing.

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Yep I messed up ☺️

[@valintong889]

Same thoughts.

[@unendingbreath]

High as shit, listening to Yebba. I see youuuu.

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

😎

[@KajiVocals]

Simply wonderful

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Thanks for watching, Kaji ! Hope you're well

[@charoleawood]

15:37 She sounds for all the world like a theremin here, I love it!

[@onealbaptiste8698]

YES YEBBA I LOVE YEBBA MORE YEBBA EVERYTHING YEBBA

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Yes this excitement please more

[@walidknaina8277]

YOU SHOULD’VE REACTED TO STAND BY HER LIVE HERE ALSO

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Thank you

[@wolframgrosser2696]

You two are great together, bring Vanessa on more! Pls consider doing Hozier singing "sweet thing" :)

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Thanks wolfram, I will! And thanks for the suggestion 👍🏻

[@saraar127]

I hope you’re doing the whole tiny desk it’s still one of my favorite performances somehow she’s always better live which is crazy

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love her so much

[@Rosannasfriend]

You’re right. I’ve learned a lot of what works for my body on my own.

[@VKeurick]

I have that same Endless shirt, Sam!!!

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Omg I want a new one!! Random seller on Reddit didn't respond when I reached out :(

[@donald1379]

great reaction guys thank you

[@UltimoDogLover]

Her singing reminds me of Joni Mitchell's back in the day. Anyone else?

[@shaylaharris7079]

plz do YEBBA - boomerang iTs gonNA fuck your world up man. She scats, hits a c6 with so much control its confusing and just the energy of the song is gross, purely disgusting in a good way.

[@_Schwartz]

Dimples! She's is gorgeous

[@anonymouspanda8300]

Hey… that’s how I sound when I sing, @6:15 😅😂

[@CHlNY]

I hate that I miss so many vid posts. Have to have the notification turned on or I completely miss ~10 vids

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

I'm glad that you still see some ☺️ Maybe someday I will be out of algorithm purgatory, but notifications are very appreciated

[@heavenwithin81]

I would LOOOVE to hear Yebba do something with Lloyiso.

[@enragedhippy]

that "triplet" thing you were talking about is upbeat 16ths not triplets. like the "e" and "a" of beats 3 and 4

[@carolcarol3938]

Love Yebba. You 2 work really nicely together. Would love you to do more on Australian Matt Corby (massive talent); maybe check out KZbin Live version "Matt Corby - Miracle Love (Secret London Show - 17.10.18)"....or really anything of his - you can't go wrong.

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Awesome, thank you carol!

[@carolcarol3938]

@@SamJohnsonVoice or live at the Manchester Cathedral....awesome space

[@alvaroalanis2878]

I don't trust y'all. Everytime you call those offbeats triplets my heart explodes on the inside.

[@roseuhlow]

Ahhh love this crossover! Thank you both for your insight on one of my favorite artists 🥰

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Thank you for watching!!

[@snugbugxxx]

You two are hilarious. 😂😂😂

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Thanks for watching Emily!!

[@bharp4390]

There is definitely a fine, sometimes INDISTINGUISHABLE, line between "forward placement" and nasality. Because of this, I try to avoid thinking about placement if at all possible and just set things up with the breath and the vowel.

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Yeah absolutely. Either thinking the tone you want or the vowel architecture are my favorite focal points to find "forward placement"

[@manhuetto]

would love to see you guys react to Lianne La Havas - Please Don't Make Me Cry - Radio 1 Piano Sessions

[@itzesmi]

More Yebba please!

[@davidkwan9330]

bro that aint no triplet.. syncopated quarter note

[@david.brackett]

YESSSSSS

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

Please react to Carrie underwood doing how great thou art live! 🙏🏾

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Nice suggestion, thanks for the comment!

[@kimmiegoose8932]

Yey finally!!!!

[@alvaroalanis2878]

Those weren't triplets lmao just off beats but very nice still haha

[@petrodrum]

Those weren't triplets.

[@davidhostache6071]

Great video ! Could you do one about Antwaun Stanley with Vulpeck when they play live. (Sorry for Rudy Gobert by the way)

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Thanks for the recommendation! And all good things come to an end :( I will root for him as long as he plays

[@ahmdzki341]

Please react to Gaga's perfect illusion performance at sukkiri.

[@user-eh2ty4mv3e]

Sam!!!!! 🥰

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Hi ☺️

[@fatimapsycho]

atif aslam singer Pakistan his voice incredibel

[@fatimapsycho]

Shreya ghoshal singer india

[@Tuvabaluba]

Ok Vanessa is adorable

[@blakemurdoch1929]

Can you please do a react to jorgen Dahl moe audition Norway the voice

[@pupucaradicu]

runaway aurora nobel prize

[@fatimapsycho]

shreya ghoshal singer india

[@aaronholmstrom2926]

Dominic Thiem is that you?

[@jordanjohn01]

You guys talk too much

[@ceboz]

Those are not triplets but anticipated 8th or 16ths (on the upbeat, depending on how you’re counting). Please revise your rythmic skills.

[@vashaunprice6542]

Pretty sure you’ve seen it already. I wish u reacted months ago when I asked idc i’m hating

[@SamJohnsonVoice]

Nah we hadn't seen it. Decided to do it months ago and our schedules haven't lined up til now so Yebba was put on hold 🤷

[@Nurse808]

Too much talking