"You can be technically perfect, but have no ability to tell a story" -Lady Gaga, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

I honestly don't know why I'm so obsessed with these videos. I'm not an awesome singer, I have no desire to be one; so this isn't for educational purposes. All I know is I LOVE watching him be so passionate about it. I smile every time he sings along or mouths the words.

What I find amazing about Lady Gaga is that she understands how to blend. She changes her timbre to blend with her partner. She knows how to compliment who she's singing with. It's true professionalism.

"all that training only existed so that he could sound like him" I wish more music teachers (not just voice teachers) would remember this and teach this from day one of giving lessons. You're not trying to sound like Slash on that guitar, or like Lady Gaga while playing that piano and singing - focus on being you, and on expressing what you want to express instead. (And obviously, I'm wishing someone had told me that years ago!)

At the start, Bradley had literally only just got on stage, he had been coerced out of the audience for this performance. So he had no warm-up at all. He did such a good job :)

I love how you emphasize the beauty in imperfection. It's something all us Type A perfectionists need to hear on repeat. I have come to believe the beauty is in allowing the thing to exist as it is.

Only channel I don't mind ads playing. Sam's getting paid!

7:31 she wrote it herself along side Mark Ronson and two other producers

"Everyone has inside them something very special!" We need more People like you in this World!

“Love the acting” Hush Sam I want to believe they’re actually that close 😩

Sam Johnson is the Mr. Rogers of vocal coaching.

As a mental health sufferer and who has lived through family addictions and suicides this song is literally in my soul. I adore it no matter how it is sung. Imperfection is perfection to me ❤️❤️❤️

NEVER BORING

What i love about Brad his that his singing isnt perfect but you can hear emotion and feel the story he is telling through the words. I have seen the movie but I appreciate what I've heard and hope this isn't the last we hear him in a singing role. Mother Gaga is amazing as always - she continues to blow me away. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts always!

"Bradley Cooper's Extra Squeeze" sounds like a great headline for a gossip blog hahahaha

you arguing with yourself over how great bradley and gaga’s voice are is adorable lmaoo we all agree sis

Come thru sincere positivity 👏 I'm not gonna name names, but there are other vocal coaches on KZfaq that "SPILL THAT HOT TEA YAS SIS" on a bad performance, and it feels like gaudy drama and gossip. Your input though feels so well informed and your intentions are clearly in good faith. Bob Ross of vocal coaching right here 👌

9:35 “There is the potential to be great, I believe, in every single person."

I value emotional connection over technique. All through high school my favorite singer was NOT technically proficient, but his raw emotion in songs hooked me. And a personal anecdote, one of the times I felt most accomplished musically was when a friend listened to a new song I was working on it affected him, he felt pain and sadness and desperation. And I knew I had done my job well.

What made this so good was how impromptu it was and not perfect. It made it so real. You can see that they have become such amazing friends. I love singing this song and seeing the people that made it amazing not be perfect at it is much more encouraging.

I love that you give positive criticism on what they could technically get better on. Everyone is capable of improvement even masters in craft. As long as the technical issues don’t distract you from the performance itself then it doesn’t really matter in that performance. To get something truly raw and intense sometimes requires you to do something imperfect. To show the genuine feeling.

Shes never boring because she is who she is! Monsters love her because she doesn't care what people think or say, she enjoys what she does and just makes you wish you were as expressive as her 🖤

Everything you said about being vulnerable and sharing yourself through your singing is everything that I find difficult about singing/songwriting. I can’t let go and let myself be me or have those difficult feelings even in my own exclusive company. But hearing you say those things made me feel that if I’m ever ready to take lessons, I’d want to have you as my teacher. You’re so understanding and I feel like you could help me love my own voice and own it.

I don't know what you did but it seems that your videos will get even better from now on and I didn't think that was possible

What you said in the end almost made me cry. There was one time (not long ago) I performed a mandarin song in front of my American friends. And for some weird reason I actually remembered my story with the song. I associated the song with my worst part of life and the process of trying to walk out of it. I am a very technical person when it comes to singing. But I was totally overwhelmed by my own experience to the point where I had to force myself not to cry just to keep singing. And that was the night when I totally walked out of the effect of that part of my life. And also, the first time when people come to me and say things like “hey I don’t know the lyrics at all but I can totally feel the heavy emotions coming out of the song” “thank you for sharing you feeling. Now I know I am not alone”... I think you already said the exact relationship between your emotion and technique in videos before. You want to develop a technique you can trust so that you can trust it and concentrate on the story you want to tell. Thank you Sam, you are one of the few voice teachers on KZfaq to talk about this a lot. And I cannot get to the point I said above without your video.

Sam your channel is growing SO QUICK! I'm so happy for you, you deserve it!!! 💖💖💖

The improv angle on this and the raw emotive quality are what makes this song. So glad there was very little if any vocal production in editing. This song gives me tears and I am a metalhead. It did what it was suppoessed to do.

You teach academic vocabulary in context like a perfect teacher. I just learned what the words “post production,” “inears,” and improvisational” mean all because you understand teaching and learning so well.

You are always so supportive! you always point out the "mistakes" to teach a lesson and to make people grow, you always give solutions to problems in such a kind and respectful way, I really love that about you. it's so good to hear someone tell you that you have potential and that you just need to find a way to show it. To me, that's what it's about: technique is a tool, a means, a way to achieve something, but definitely not an end; sharing emotions, connecting with people and creating art that is as unique as the individual you are is.

There can be 100 people in a room and 99 don't believe in you and all it takes is that 1 person to believe in you etc etc

As a painter and sculptor I agree wholeheartedly. Technical skill is the scaffolding on which we build great art.

being picky doesnt make one to become professional but to find beauty and appreciate in different scenario, that is professional. Every performance has its own worth of view, thank you sam. always love to watch and hear your analysis on different performances.

The car analogy is amazing. Love your videos, Sam.

My band and I play out every weekend. We’re successful not because we’re the most phenomenally technical musicians on the planet, but rather because we connect with the audience, they have a blast at our shows, and we make them feel good. I’m a really good singer, but not because i hit every note perfectly every night, that’s unrealistic... I’m fearless and fun and I trust my instrument, which i’ve been honing for years, and let my performance instincts take people on a ride. Some of my best vocals have come when I’ve disconnected my brain from the technical details and join in the fun. On any scale: massive international arenas, or small local rock bars, people crave palpable connective energy. There is honestly no point in making music otherwise, it nourishes souls on both sides of the stage.

I love this guys ability to give constructive positive feedback while being grounded in great vocal technique..

You truly love what you do and it shows. I took piano lessons for a year or so and watch The Voice and that’s the extent of my music experience yet here I am crying at your encouraging and positive nature.

What you said around minute 10:00 really got me... that was beautiful. Was waiting for you to review this, so happy you did! Thank you. Can’t wait to get voice lessons one day!!

I agree with you, 100%. There are vocalists out there who are technically pure and extremely skilled, but who are emotionless to the point of being downright clinical. And there are others - Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen are fine examples - who may not have great range or flawless skill, but the way they connect words with feeling speaks to a person in a soulful level. When a person can marry both technical skills and emotional connection, it's an amazing experience.

Something my mother used to say to me before I hit the stage was "Remember, there are great singers, then great performers, but be a great entertainer" It always put me at ease that I didn't have to be technically perfect. Go out there, be yourself. I agree with you. The lessons and the tech are the foundation. It's what you bring to the song that makes it great.

“Everyone has inside them something very special...if you’re able to let that out, there is the potential to being great.” Forever encouraging. This is one of the reasons I love watching your videos. On another note, Cooper and Gaga sound amazing together. I get goosebumps listening to them.

Everything you said around the 10 minute mark really hit home, and sounded very familiar (painfully so)! I feel that one of the main reasons we want to sing, perform or create things is to express ourselves in some way. While a solid foundation of the technical aspects are key to be able to do that fully and opens up many more options, focusing too much on technique could develop in to being devoid of any personality or emotion, or get in the way of being able to express yourself at all; it would just be so cold and clinical. What would be the point in that? So often people pick on those who perhaps currently lack the technique to show us their personality in a more successful way, but equally it can be a hindrance to focus solely on technique. As you have said in many of your videos, it requires a balance! Sorry for the essay, whoops. Another awesome video, thanks Sam!

Glad you're back Sam! I'm also a voice teacher/singer and your positive outlook and phrasing is always refreshing.

Lyrically and melodically music speaks to most people on a subconscious, emotional level. When we watch live performance even outside of an environment where the performer is required to convey more than just the music, i.e theatre, we still expect an emotional connection between the performer and the music. It doesn’t matter if a singer is performing lyrics about a life changing event they experienced or their neighbours cat! Sam you are 100% correct. We are not mechanical, we are beautifully imperfect, emotional beings and any expression made in that vain is raw, honest and ultimately perfect!

I was there that night and it was such an amazing emotional performance! Their energy and chemistry was palpable. It was during her encore and she asked if it would be okay to bring a friend onstage that had been in the audience.

Boi cutting your hair short was the best decision ever😎

Your enthusiasm is contagious. I enjoyed watching you get so happy & charged-up watching them,

To me, this was absolutely perfect for a non-rehearsed version. So natural and organic

I love that you are willing to talk about how hard it is to be an artist; that self doubt or criticism that we sometimes experience. Love what you are doing =)

Amazing and informative as usual. Also totally agree, love his authentic voice. You can hear the emotions in his voice and I appreciate it so much.

I love your critiques. Don't change a thing. Was feeling down on my performances and watching you always make me feel better.

As a Lady Gaga fan I can say she is an AMAZING musician, performer, entertainer, and human being! Her concerts are AMAZING and she is so authentically her it's beautiful!

You really spoke to me about letting ppl have an emotional experience in my music rather then a ‘perfect ‘ performance. ❤️ So true in making a connection with your audience!

What he said actually reminded me of Ed Sheeran in “Give Me Love” towards the end of the song. How his voice sounded raspy and it kind of almost cracked too. But I felt that emotion when he was singing that line. I felt the hurt of that song. It sounded real.

She is a trained singer, he is an actor. He is better than most, she is darn good. Luv your stuff man, thanks.

Just watching the way they look at each other and seeing there is a genuine connection and love between them gives me goosebumps.

I love the emotion they put into that song

Haircut looks fresh :)

I am a huge Jeff Buckley fan. He dipped in out of key all the time. he would hit a note flat and then raise into it with some beautiful swooning passion. His voice was utterly remarkable but it wasn't because it was a perfect voice. It was fundamentally because of his passion. Same goes for Freddie Mercury. The adulation for him is endless but his voice was never perfect live. He sang lower harmonies because he didn't look after his voice, that didn't make his performances any less mesmerising, or his voice any less powerful. The car analogy is spot on. To me, technique should be accompanied with great emotion. Singing is multi faceted and not just about hitting notes and ticking boxes.

The statements you made regarding how much of ourselves is in our singing, and walking away from a bad practice feeling like a bad person really resonated with me. I used to sing live all the time, in choirs, solos, etc. Now I can't even get the courage to do karaoke because of how deeply personal a relationship with my instrument I've developed. Almost a detriment because I now fear sharing it on stage. Although I will happily belt out a tune anywhere else.

“Everyone has something very special in them”.....wow!..how gracious and kind of you to notice...thank you Sam for noticing that, in each one of us because sadly, too many people are hyper critical of those they know and especially to those they do not!

Loved that! For me, emotion always wins. Always love your enthusiasm.

I absolutely agree with finding value in the imperfections, I find it’s much easier to connect to the music and the Artist when their emotions come trough the music and they aren’t as concerned about being technically correct.

Man, if I had had you as a teacher when I was in college, I would still be singing today. All of your critiques are always on point.

Your love for music is so obvious. There’s absolute joy on your face when you see the audience interacting with the performance. I have no musical background but I really enjoy your videos. Thank you ❤️

I can't get enough of these. A KZfaq gem, you are.

I was there. It was incredible.

Thank you so so much for this. I love your videos and have learned so much from watching almost all of them. I’ve been singing for a while but only began learning some of the technicalities of singing recently, bc before that I sang with emotion but was constantly straining my voice. It is so easy for me to feel like when I’m not technically proficient, the entire song is trash. Your ability to point out the value and beauty in the art you hear has encouraged me to love my voice for what it is. People can be so cut throat and discouraging, and learning to think like this has been so healing for me, bro. Thank you for being such a beautiful example of how we should look at others voices and our own. It’s okay to be imperfect 💜💜

The way I see vocal music is that our instrument has ways of resonating with our heartstrings, and not every note on that scale aligns perfectly (much like our hearts). One thing I really enjoy about your videos Sam is that you use expressive verbal and physical language to help people mirror and reflect those forms of speech as learning tools. I've never in my life considered something "hooty" before this video series, but lordy do I say it now (though infrequently in the context of the voice lol). By describing how people in professional and viral settings perform, you've given millions of people the tools to understand their voice better. I'm not really sure how I wasn't subscribed before, but half a million people at least have been brighter than me so far. Here's to millions more!

Love your videos, and I love the message you shared at the 10:00 mark. It's so important not to expect perfection everytime

I love seeing your editing progress and get more fun 😂☺️

I love how you are so sensitive with voice’s stuff, it really stands out that you love what you do and that you try to give the value that the human part in this process has ❤️ Singing is more than a way to make money, it have such a deep meaning, glad that you want to spread what you’ve learned

I just realized...Sam, you are the Bob Ross of voice coaching. You are always positive, even-keeled, and complimentary...embracing mistakes as wonderful things to be celebrated, not shunned. When I sing now, I don't beat myself up for a voice crack, I embrace it and continue to enjoy the song! Thank you for that!

Omg! Never have I ever clicked so fast! I looove your analysis vodeos! Keep up the good work!

This wasn’t her best Shallow live, the emotion of singing with Bradley + that’s the last song of the 2h show, that’s why she may seem tired...

You are such a kind person and I love watching you. Thank you for restoring my faith in humanity.

The truths and the feels! So many! Wow, your wisdom is just amazing. And myself, as someone who is new to the whole 'improving my singing', SO MUCH of what you say is so encouraging. I can't even mention which examples, because there are so many of them that hit home for me, have truth and truly help someone like me. I don't have confidence in my abilities, regardless of what my singing sounds like, but thanks to you, I feel that being confident in my ability and my instrument is obtainable. Keep doing your awesome videos !

This is also the first time they performed live together and with this song. I personally thought it was extremely moving. I just honestly love this song and duo regardless haha

You might appreciate the fact that this wasn’t planned... he was in the audience just watching the show and she called him out. So no warm up or jitters to work out.

I loved your comment on imperfections and making someone have an emotional experience when they hear you. I had a voice teacher that always strived for perfections and then told me I couldn't sing, which actually stopped me from singing for 6 years (not even alone in my car or in the shower). With your videos and practice, I started singing live again and feeling comfortable with mistakes but also happy with progress :)

I love how he says Hi Im a voice teacher, while hes a life teacher, great personality, kudos

You have hit my biggest issue with singing right on the head here. To be emotive requires REALLY putting yourself out there, and not everyone is comfortable with that. I'm starting to figure out that I never have been. I AM interested in how a person might go about overcoming some of those barriers... although I suspect it's very individual, so making general comments might be hard.

Thanks so much Sam for your take on Lady Gaga as a performer. I think she’s incredible! Please do reactions on Chester Bennington. He is one of my favorites.

OMG Sam! This song has me emotional at the best of times but your words have got me seriously tearing up. I love you and your outlook on life and people. Thank you

This is my favorite! I love all your explanations. It's so inspiring! Thank you so much!

I love your comments about the imperfections, it's why I love seeing live music! I would love to see you reacting to Kelly Clarkson- Her and John Legend just did a live duet that would be really interesting to hear you analyse.

I got to say you are one of the better vocal teachers on KZfaq. I find majority of the other “teachers” fake. I had a question, lately I have been reading critic articles/reviews on Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett’s Jazz album ‘Cheek to Cheek’ and in the reviews they mention Gaga’s phrasing and comparing it to Tony’s. Can you please do a video on her jazz songs such as ‘I can’t give you anything but love’ or ‘but beautiful ‘. These are her duet with Tony-Bennett and can you explain why critics bring up her phrasing. Also she has two solo on the jazz album that mentions her phrasing and the difficulties of the songs: ‘lush life’ and ‘bang bang’.

I love your videos because I can hear and feel that singing is your passion that's impossible to fake. Also huge knowledge and great ear! Thank you that you're sharing it with us ❤️❤️ xoxo from Poland 🇵🇱

I love watching him so passionate reacting on each videos. His videos are very informative and honest opinions.

Nightwish - Ghost love score (Wacken open air 2013) Nightwish - The poet and the pendulum (LIVE AT WEBMLEY 2016)

Completely agree, I mean, technically it's the worst performance of the song in my opinion, yet it just blows each and everyone away by the power and chemistry those guys have. Thanks for acknowledging that, amazing analysis as always, keep it going!

I have been enjoying your videos for a while now. I really liked this performance. I loved the clear affection the have for each other and how they interacted

Love your perception on all your reactions to any videos you view. You don't focus just on technical critique, but over all performance on individual performers uniqueness.

Keep in mind they sang this song IN CHARACTER in the movie. They aren't the same people as they were portraying in the film so it'll sound a little different hearing it live months later. This comment is mainly towards Bradley

YASSSSS, i was waiting for this for such a long time

Omg you expressed so well why singing is much more difficult than playing an instrument... I totally agree!!

Authentic... YES! Emotion... Yes! Natural... Yes! I LOVE the way you explain things... THANK YOU SAM!!!❤️❤️❤️

Sam have you done Stevie Nicks yet? Named after a Fleetwood Mac song, I grew up listening to them. I adore your explanations and would love you to explain Stevie’s voice

Well she acctually is a Singer and Brad took lesson for the movie and have never Done it before ☺️ .. brads voice reminds me of the voice of Mark Knophler ( dire straits.. because i belive i spelled his last name wrong )

Love this performance and hearing your thoughts on it. Watching your videos just makes me appreciate singers and the beautiful art they make. ❤️