Topic: Learning to growl/scream. (Read 10862 times)

Thrillho · « **on:** 31 Oct 2007, 13:02 »

I'm extremely happy with my voice. Pretty much through research and practice I've taken my voice above and beyond my own hopes and expectations and I'm thrilled with the level it's at.

However, I want to be able to growl. Or whatever it is that the other version that soudns like screaming is called - maybe it is just screaming.

I'd prefer to be able to do the latter, the kind of vocal that's associated with Refused, or hardcore in general. However as far as I can tell that's not great for the voice and can shred your throat pretty sharpish.

As I understand it, growling, which is more associated with metal and the like, is the much healthier, better, more powerful version to do. Though it's not my preference, I'll gladly learn this instead or as well as the other one.

Are there websites with step-by-step guides? Because I'm starting from scratch here so just tips won't necessarily help me out.

I beseech thee, humble forum. I have helped ye vocalists, now help me, please!

Gridgm · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 13:36 »

i'm not particulally sure about hard core screaming but i know that with death metal vocals and such you should actually go see a doctor to learn how to do it because doing it wrongly can seriously screw up voice box

this fun tibbit of information was brought to you by me spending far to much time on wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_growl#Technique

Ã¶de · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 13:43 »

West · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 14:25 »

Seasoned Doom Metal front man here,

I learned to polish my technique using the Zen of Screaming DVD, produced and created by Melissa Cross,that got some big hype from Angela of Arch Enemy a couple years ago.

Z.O.S comes with some metal cultural info and has alot of guest stars like Randy from Lamb of God and the front men of God Forbid and Killswitch Engage.

For the DVD go to www.zenofscreaming.com. I think it's around $24 dollars and comes with a vocal warm-up CD that I use driving to practice and gigs.

Also, drink LOTS of tea. Cold or hot, doesn't matter. Try to cut back on milk as well.

Take frequent breaks during practice, and try not to scream or strain your voice when not practicing. I tend to keep a calm demeanor and don't talk very loudly anyway, which might contribute to me never developing polyps or irritations.

Hope this helps!

Johnny C · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 19:13 »

I just get excited and howl towards the mic. It works!

KharBevNor · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 20:39 »

Bottle of Nyquik.,

RAWR

done

Johnny C · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 21:11 »

I love that Khar celebrates Halloween the way other people celebrate New Years' Eve.

Joseph · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 Oct 2007, 21:13 »

Alone, posting on message boards?

KharBevNor · « **Reply #8 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 08:35 »

I had friends over and went to a club as well. And I dressed up. And I listened to Misfits records.

pinkpiche · « **Reply #9 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 09:57 »

Whatever you do, STOP if it hurts. And don't push it, that's the worst thing you can do.

valley_parade · « **Reply #10 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 09:58 »

I gotta say Varg would say you're wrong.

mediumrare · « **Reply #11 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 10:28 »

Yes, but if you ever find yourself agreeing with Varg Vikernes it is time to take a long hard look at yourself.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #12 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 10:29 »

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!

What's that Hitlerjugend Varg? You saw a monster? Can you describe it?

THEEEE HEEEAAAAD IS THE HEEEEAD
OOOOF A SEEEEERPEEEEENT
FROM ITS NOOOSTRIIILS
MUUUUCUUUS TRIIIIIIIIICKLES
THEEEE EEEAAARS AREE THOOOSE
OF A BASILIIIISK
IT'S HOORNS ARE TWIIIISTED
INTO THREEEEEE CUUUUUURLS

Do you have any idea what it was?

AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHH, EEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAA, LOOOOORD OF THE DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPTHS

Thrillho · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 13:31 »

Right, most of this I already knew because it's the same as taking care of your voice, though thanks anyway.

I'll look into that DVD. Hell maybe there's stuff on youtube about it.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 15:34 »

Well, for practical tips, it would really help to know what SORT of screaming you want to do. You mentioned hardcore, and that's basically just shouting, unless you're referring to something different. The type of screaming basically depends on where you vocalise, if that makes sense. Classic death metal screams come from the back of the throat, up top. Black metal vocals come from way deeper down in the throat, and employ less technical aspects: you really just scream until you start coughing up blood, then you drink some more. Or at least, you do if you want to avoid the cookie monster. Piq squeals come from practically up in the nasal cavity. The real trick is simply to practice. Most people, if they did a proper death metal growl, would probably start coughing or maybe even throw up*. A lot of people never do proper growls, and there's lots of ways of faking up the sound (for example, putting massive overdrive onto whispers can sound a lot like the real thing. I'm reasonably sure that's what Brendon Small uses to do Nathan Explosions singing voice in Metalocalypse).

*I've seen this happen.

ViolentDove · « **Reply #15 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 15:43 »

Learn the Kargyraa style of throat singing. Then you can impress your friends and destroy your enemies with harmonic overtones and undertones.

Quote from some guy: "This style can also be described as the howling winds of winter or the plaintive cries of a mother camel after losing her calf."

Thrillho · « **Reply #16 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 16:41 »

Quote from: KharBevNor on 01 Nov 2007, 15:34

Well, for practical tips, it would really help to know what SORT of screaming you want to do. You mentioned hardcore, and that's basically just shouting, unless you're referring to something different. The type of screaming basically depends on where you vocalise, if that makes sense. Classic death metal screams come from the back of the throat, up top. Black metal vocals come from way deeper down in the throat, and employ less technical aspects: you really just scream until you start coughing up blood, then you drink some more. Or at least, you do if you want to avoid the cookie monster. Piq squeals come from practically up in the nasal cavity. The real trick is simply to practice. Most people, if they did a proper death metal growl, would probably start coughing or maybe even throw up*. A lot of people never do proper growls, and there's lots of ways of faking up the sound (for example, putting massive overdrive onto whispers can sound a lot like the real thing. I'm reasonably sure that's what Brendon Small uses to do Nathan Explosions singing voice in Metalocalypse).

*I've seen this happen.

I had presumed, or at least hoped, that hardcore wasn't just shouting because:
- I know that can ruin your voice.
- Henry Rollins has been screaming like that for 26 years and it doesn't seem to have done him any major harm, suggesting to me that there was a technique.

I think it is the higher pitched, more throat/nose based one I'm thinking of. Honestly, I don't want to growl like the guy from Machine Head, but being able to do that too would just be helpful for future reference. I think the current vocalist from Killswitch Engage is the best example since he seems to sit between the two (End Of Heartache features him delving into both, sort of), and yet can sing as well. I don't want to learn to growl or scream at the cost of my singing voice, because I've worked my ass of to get where I am and I'd sooner be another simpering James Blunt than piss away my voice just so I can cover 'Six Pack' for a room full of phoney edgers.

Kai · « **Reply #17 on:** 01 Nov 2007, 20:23 »

There is a big section on one of Henry Rollins' videos where he talks about how much the screaming fucked up his voice and how he went to this voice doctor (that Michael Bolton went to) and the doctor was AGHAST

so uh

good luck!

a pack of wolves · « **Reply #18 on:** 02 Nov 2007, 00:51 »

Rollins really does just shout though, from everything I've read proper screaming like that bloke from Killswitch Engage does won't screw your voice up as long as you generally look after your voice and use common sense. I know a few people who've been screaming in bands for ten or so years and they don't experience any problems.

valley_parade · « **Reply #19 on:** 02 Nov 2007, 08:29 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid on 01 Nov 2007, 16:41

I think the current vocalist from Killswitch Engage is the best example since he seems to sit between the two (End Of Heartache features him delving into both, sort of), and yet can sing as well.

Yeah, but they've sucked horridly ever since he joined the band.

Thrillho · « **Reply #20 on:** 02 Nov 2007, 08:42 »

Quote from: valley_parade on 02 Nov 2007, 08:29

Quote from: DynamiteKid on 01 Nov 2007, 16:41
I think the current vocalist from Killswitch Engage is the best example since he seems to sit between the two (End Of Heartache features him delving into both, sort of), and yet can sing as well.

Yeah, but they've sucked horridly ever since he joined the band.

Even if I agreed with that, that's not the point, is totally unhelpful, and would have no bearing on his screaming/growling technique..

mediumrare · « **Reply #21 on:** 03 Nov 2007, 16:26 »

He's vicious like a bear live, but God his clean vocals are shocking. Like an amateur stage musical baritone.

quietnow · « **Reply #22 on:** 03 Nov 2007, 16:32 »

step 1: smoke a pack of cigarettes in rapid succession.
step 2: gargle with coffee grounds, whiskey and gravel
step 3: let go of your inhibition

worst thing is to be inhibited. scream for your LIFE. i'm pretty sure there's no hope of screaming habitually AND having excellent vocal health.

Thrillho · « **Reply #23 on:** 03 Nov 2007, 16:32 »

Quote from: mediumrare on 03 Nov 2007, 16:26

He's vicious like a bear live, but God his clean vocals are shocking. Like an amateur stage musical baritone.

Well I've got the clean vocals down already...

mediumrare · « **Reply #24 on:** 03 Nov 2007, 16:50 »

Quote from: quietnow on 03 Nov 2007, 16:32

step 1: smoke a pack of cigarettes in rapid succession.
step 2: gargle with coffee grounds, whiskey and gravel
step 3: let go of your inhibition

worst thing is to be inhibited. scream for your LIFE. i'm pretty sure there's no hope of screaming habitually AND having excellent vocal health.

Yeah, I always assumed (rightly or wrongly) that it was a choice between the two. The ultimate sacrifice for your art: throat cancer, yeah.

There's a romantic notion in there somewhere.

Jimmy the Squid · « **Reply #25 on:** 03 Nov 2007, 20:06 »

I've been singing in a black metal band for the past 6 years and where I once had a pretty good voice similar to that of croony lounge singers (the good kind) I can no longer hold notes or go very high (for instance I can not even approach singing to the Darkness). Since I was never going to do anything with my ability to do clean vocals I'm ok with this loss but be prepared for the fact that if you are going to go for the metal screams/growls, you are probably not going to be as good at the clean stuff as you were. Even with the Zen of Screaming DVD which is more geared towards not destroying your voicebox rather than still being able to maintain a high standard of clean singing.

Thrillho · « **Reply #26 on:** 04 Nov 2007, 08:17 »

Right, as far as I can tell the only way I'm going to manage this is by sacrificing my singing voice. Fuck that. Thanks for your help everybody, but this can probably get locked now.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Learning to growl/scream. (Read 10862 times)