Screaming... some pointers

[Merkaba]

*sigh*

I've got it...Its spring time. Everyone gets the fever...and goes to a concert or two and everyone wants to know how to scream like their fave so they can be in a band. It's in the air.

[JomJom]

I just wanna say thanks a ton Merkaba. Before I read this thread, I could scream, but I was using the wrong techniques so i was messing up my voice and having sore throat after sore throat. After using your technique, I haven't had that problem, and my screams are better than ever. My range has improved too. Thanks a ton man. :thumb:

[Merkaba]

Thanks. Sounded like an infomercial for a second there...but thats good.
Buy now while supplies last. 50$ shipping and handling surcharge. Sorry no c.o.d.'s

[crazypunker22]

I have always been told I have really good screaming voice. I also have had a very adaptable screaming voice. I could do the oi sounds like the unseen and the political stuff like Rise Against and Strike anywhere or even the harder stuff like atreyu on the curse. I always sing along with my music and it came naturally to me. I could sing for 3-4 hours before feeling a little scratchy and stuff. but for the last few months I can't even hit the screams anymore. I don't know what I did wrong. Once in awhile I will get it back but it only lasts 2-3 songs and then I can't do it again for a couple of days. i want my screams back.

[JomJom]

I have always been told I have really good screaming voice. I also have had a very adaptable screaming voice. I could do the oi sounds like the unseen and the political stuff like Rise Against and Strike anywhere or even the harder stuff like atreyu on the curse. I always sing along with my music and it came naturally to me. I could sing for 3-4 hours before feeling a little scratchy and stuff. but for the last few months I can't even hit the screams anymore. I don't know what I did wrong. Once in awhile I will get it back but it only lasts 2-3 songs and then I can't do it again for a couple of days. i want my screams back.

I'm no expert on this stuff, so it'd be better to get an answer from Merkaba. But...doing screams like the guy from Atreyu does isn't really healthy for your vocal chords, but then again...no scream is healthy for your vocal chords. Also, you shouldn't be singing for 3-4 hours at a time. That's way too much, even if you are a professional and have been singing for years. Maybe rest your voice for a little while, and once your screams come back, don't overdo it. Take it slowly step by step, you don't wanna permanently damage your voice.

[FockerTheLopper]

I didn't feel like reading but I know its wrong, all you need to do is clamp your balls with a vice.

[Merkaba]

I have always been told I have really good screaming voice. I also have had a very adaptable screaming voice. I could do the oi sounds like the unseen and the political stuff like Rise Against and Strike anywhere or even the harder stuff like atreyu on the curse. I always sing along with my music and it came naturally to me. I could sing for 3-4 hours before feeling a little scratchy and stuff. but for the last few months I can't even hit the screams anymore. I don't know what I did wrong. Once in awhile I will get it back but it only lasts 2-3 songs and then I can't do it again for a couple of days. i want my screams back.
well...sometimes people just lose it. And then they get it back. Many times they overthink for some reason or another, and this leads to tensing of the throat and muscles. First off how old are you? If youre going through puberty or close to it, you might have some issues because of the larynx growing and etc. There's not much I can tell ya. This is what happened to me once...I was trying to learn how to do some style, i cant remember who...I could get it for a while but I soon lost it and I tried again and could get it but lost it not too longer afterwards again. Then i go it back...but a while later I realized i couldnt do some of the other stuff i was doing. Over time I realized that I had picked up some bad throat positioning and tensing as i had tried to mimmick that one style...and i carried part of it over into my normal singing. I would say this was about a three month period. So be sure youre using proper technique. It should be easy to do just about any style if you know the fundamentals. YOu might not be able to match it perfectly but you'll know how to get there over time. If you can post a sample it might help. Just remember to warm up...and dont over push. Just cant really tell anything by your post. Youre basically saying you cant scream...so thats starting you with everyone else! Is your speaking voice affected any, or are you gravelly sounding, any pain? And perhaps it could be related to the allergy season sinus problems, mucus, etc.

[audaciously accused]

hey whats up guys,

i've read the whole thread and all the posts about screaming emocore style, but i

1) Can anyone give me directtips on how to scream like spencer of underoath

2) whenever i try to scream it has a thin tone, how do i thicken it up?

3) i notice whenever i have a head/chest cold my singing and screaming quality decreses? is it just me or is this common?

first of all....when you scream, don't make it all come from your throat. when you breathe, go from your diaphram (it increases air flow and the ability to scream louder and harder), do not try to scream at the top of your lungs...it sounds like your gonna die or something...sometimes if you try to add your voice at a lower tone it'll turn out great....it is common when you have a cold to decrease the quality in your screams....just keep trying and you'll get it!!!

[JomJom]

Hey Merkaba...I have another question for you. :D You know the band As I Lay Dying? Tim, their vocalist, is one of the most amazing screamers I have ever heard, in my opinion. Can you check out this song for me and tell me how he does his scream? www.myspace.com/asilaydying ...the song is called Distance is Darkness. There are a lot of different screams in the song, but the ones I wanna know how to do the most are the insanely deep screams. They sound so awesome. If you could help me out, I'd appreciate it. :)

[himynameistweek]

Hey Merkaba...I have another question for you. :D You know the band As I Lay Dying? Tim, their vocalist, is one of the most amazing screamers I have ever heard, in my opinion. Can you check out this song for me and tell me how he does his scream? www.myspace.com/asilaydying ...the song is called Distance is Darkness. There are a lot of different screams in the song, but the ones I wanna know how to do the most are the insanely deep screams. They sound so awesome. If you could help me out, I'd appreciate it. :)
ok, here's what you do. this is the exact technique, and you can't stray from it at all. it's really simple. you just grab a bottle of paint thinner, and chug that ****.


















JESUS!

[Peg Dizzler]

ok, here's what you do. this is the exact technique, and you can't stray from it at all. it's really simple. you just grab a bottle of paint thinner, and chug that ****.


Hahaha!

[Merkaba]

Hey Merkaba...I have another question for you. :D You know the band As I Lay Dying? Tim, their vocalist, is one of the most amazing screamers I have ever heard, in my opinion. Can you check out this song for me and tell me how he does his scream? www.myspace.com/asilaydying ...the song is called Distance is Darkness. There are a lot of different screams in the song, but the ones I wanna know how to do the most are the insanely deep screams. They sound so awesome. If you could help me out, I'd appreciate it. :)
Sounds like every other raspy scream to me

[zultone]

I found this site through google, great tips on screaming.


But one thing I noticed-
You said that inhaled screaming is very bad for your vocal chords?
I can do that for hours, except mine is more of a growl, and they don't even feel raspy or used, just kinda tired.

And another thing, my exhaled (normal) scream is real deep.
Is that normal ?
I tried to use whatever that falsetto scream thing was and it came out kinda like a cow dying.

Edit; http://soundclick.com/thezultones
Dying In My Arms Tonight has my inhaled scream (and growl), it's the part with the high's.

[GlBSON]

This post is the bomb. More concise (kinda) than the Screaming 101. G/J
Also, set and setting have everything to do with creating the ultimate scream,
only practicing often will make it consistent and long lasting, I have seen a couple screamers/singers lose complete range over extended breaks. SO practice all the good crap Silver has posted.
One time I heard Chino hit like 3 overtones in a scream, and it was ****'in amazing, and the way he can go straight from the highest pitch to the lowest death growl evenly. Model the greats but don't emulate.

[Merkaba]

Chino is great...but god, live he can really miss alot of notes in his verses. Deftones...tonedef.

[Katana]

How do I scream and not sound like a girl?

[Merkaba]

uh....dont go so high?
that and good strength can help you add body and shape and rasp to the high notes so it doesnt just sound like girly stuff.

[Slaugher Of The Soul]

Anyone know how to scream like the lead singer of Nightrage or Zao?

[Merkaba]

I can, even though I've never heard them before. Because vocal cords are vocal cords. http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219911

[Kosta]

Jesus. Every scream is almost exactly the same. If you learn one scream, the rest aren't hard at all. Yet everyone wants to learn how to copy his favorite vocalist, because originaly, is, of course, a sin in modern day rock music.

To anyone who wonders how "..." screams:

Well, he screams like any other screaming vocalist, some singers just adept the scream to personal preference, and, well, you can do that, too. Just read Merkaba's guides.

[Billie Joe rulez]

YOur AlL ****iNg GoThS!!!! Wots rong with the ****ing world!!! get bent!!! oh and "my technique of how to scream"?!?!?!?! U R ALL ****ING LOSERS> P.S GREEN DAY 4 EVA knob heds! :angry:

[AA-12]

YOur AlL ****iNg GoThS!!!! Wots rong with the ****ing world!!! get bent!!! oh and "my technique of how to scream"?!?!?!?! U R ALL ****ING LOSERS> P.S GREEN DAY 4 EVA knob heds! :angry:
Stop posting. You aren't funny.

[metalguitarplayer]

The key is flem. I let the felm "take the hit" so to speak. but if you push to hard you'll infact clear your throat and then you'll just be ****ed. So i wouldn't recomend that for big screams, but in general it can work to get reaaaly low without pushing on ur stomach to much. :)

[Merkaba]

The key is flem. I let the felm "take the hit" so to speak. but if you push to hard you'll infact clear your throat and then you'll just be ****ed. So i wouldn't recomend that for big screams, but in general it can work to get reaaaly low without pushing on ur stomach to much. :)
Phlegm? As in mucus?

Mucus will only hinder you. If you go on tour what can you count on?
I suggest working the cords and muscles and understanding how they work.

[rabbit]

OK, I think I need to rephrase my question: I am a female singer, what tips can you give me to sing ,well, I guess it is in a falsetto also, to me it feels like a scream, comes out high like an ACDC sound, I have to sing whole verses and refrains in this voice. I lose the power half way through and by the end I'm fighting for it. Is it just that I need to do it more so I get stronger or is there a better technique, one for a female ? My voice is low to middle, no problems rasping (smoker:0), can do the cutting gravely sounds, and the high and girly too. Any help would be appreciated.


"Rock it Heavy"- Rabbit

[ten594]

ffffffffffff

[miku]

Just ****ing sing, you jerks. You're raping music's corpse.

Unless you're just screaming every now and then, sparingly, for contrast. That I can kind of understand.

EDIT: K maybe that was a little mean. To each their own I guess, but bands with screamers instead of singers just piss me the hell off.

[AA-12]

Just ****ing sing, you jerks. You're raping music's corpse.

Unless you're just screaming every now and then, sparingly, for contrast. That I can kind of understand.

EDIT: K maybe that was a little mean. To each their own I guess, but bands with screamers instead of singers just piss me the hell off.
Listen to death metal.

[miku]

Listen to death metal.
Nah I'd rather not.

[AA-12]

Nah I'd rather not.
Haha, it's great stuff. I have so much respect for the singers. They are extremely talented.

[Scottish]

Oy. Gotta break in on this.

It doesn't matter if you're screaming or not. Going to great lengths to learn something is fine - but don't freak out if you can't sound like your favorite singer. You may just have a different kind of throat. For years, I tried to get the tone Chris Cornell had with Soundgarden. One day, I finally noticed that not only was I not going to sound like that, no matter how I tried, but also that his voice was usually TOTALLY FRIED when I saw them live. Obviously, he cooled out and learned some new tactics, or he couldn't be touring with Audioslave and sounding any good. Guess everyone learns the hard way....

What's most important is that you sound like you mean it. If you wanna scream, scream. Just be sure you don't permanently blow your voice out.

Not destroying yourself is all that matters, outside of sounding honest.
Unless, of course, G. G. Allin's your hero. Then, knock yer socks off.

[A_Tossed_Dwarf]

Alrighty, I've got a few more things for people to enjoy:

I did a death metal love song (yes, you read that correctly) for my girlfriend. It starts out with a barbershop quartet (featuring me and a little girl's voiceclip I found on the internet that made me sick with its cuteness) - and yes, my girlfriend was doubled-over from laughter. Anywhoooooo, listen to "Love Song for Mary"

http://www.hxcmp3.com/bands/12455/index.php

I also have death metal versions of I Feel Pretty and Yellow Submarine, but they were recorded with a bad mic so the distortion you hear is NOT your speakers, it's the recording.

Finally, my old band: http://www.myspace.com/condemnedalready
I did the high backing screams and the low death metal one heard at the end of "Opus for a Hypocrite" - this was recorded with a decent universal mic (I actually recorded the whole band track-by-track with the same mic, 'twas quite hard to do), so this is probably the best representation of what my screams truly sound like. I'm very satisfied with the sound...but then again, I broke up the band last month because things just weren't working out (bassist in summerschool 3 hours away without a vehicle, vocalist joining military, other fun things).

Enjoy, and let me know what ya think!

[joebass]

Obviously screaming can do damage to your voice. But there's got to be a way that is obviously less damaging then others. Because there's bands that have singers that do nothing but scream that have been at it for 20 years. But Avenged Sevenfold's singer had been screaming for about 3 years and a blood vessel exploded in his throat.
So what way could you avoid doing permanent damage to your body. Obviously your voice will probably become raspy and such, but how can you avoid destroying your insides?

[Merkaba]

http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219911

[kiros_music]

you have no idea how much this thread has helped my band i still cant scream but someone in my band is really good thanks a lot guys :thumb:

[Merkaba]

:thumb:
Glad to help if I did.

[xBleedingxEdgex]

Hi

Thanks to everyone who has been giving advice towards the screaming! :thumb:

I am pretty new to "trying to scream" I have a pretty big problem, When I try scream , where most males would hit a cut off point , mine doesn't; it hits this amazingly "Help me there is a old man touching me" 8 year old girl scream. It's horrid ! I've tried a scream/growl kind of thing, but that hurts my throat quite a bit... I don't have a girly voice it's only when I scream, which totally sucks! Anyway, any possible way to adapt this or atleast make me not sound like I`m under attack by a paedophile. ?

Thanks

__________________________________________________ _____________

Okay, I know I am going to have everyone saying I can't scream/howl/scream like a girl; whatever it might be. But I really want to learn to get this right... I am not even sure what type of screaming I am doing, I tried following what people say, but the only way I can control the pitch is by pushing down creating a very raspy effect. http://s7.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1DX7V7J9UX74J031KWK38NDDJ4 : Okay, I know! It sucks, it's horrid, it's like a dying monkey being slapped with a leather belt! But please if anyone can notice from the file what I am doing to sound so horrid etc, please help :<

Thanks

[Merkaba]

Hi

Thanks to everyone who has been giving advice towards the screaming! :thumb:

I am pretty new to "trying to scream" I have a pretty big problem, When I try scream , where most males would hit a cut off point , mine doesn't; it hits this amazingly "Help me there is a old man touching me" 8 year old girl scream. It's horrid ! I've tried a scream/growl kind of thing, but that hurts my throat quite a bit... I don't have a girly voice it's only when I scream, which totally sucks! Anyway, any possible way to adapt this or atleast make me not sound like I`m under attack by a paedophile. ?

Thanks

__________________________________________________ _____________

Okay, I know I am going to have everyone saying I can't scream/howl/scream like a girl; whatever it might be. But I really want to learn to get this right... I am not even sure what type of screaming I am doing, I tried following what people say, but the only way I can control the pitch is by pushing down creating a very raspy effect. http://s7.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1DX7V7J9UX74J031KWK38NDDJ4 : Okay, I know! It sucks, it's horrid, it's like a dying monkey being slapped with a leather belt! But please if anyone can notice from the file what I am doing to sound so horrid etc, please help :<

Thanks


you sound like Galim...Galim Galim.....

hehe. thats not a scream man. Sounds like youre using your false vocal cords...only. Not bad because now all you have to do is activate the real ones first and then try to do what youre doing now. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times...Sing the Scream! A good scream comes from the same relative position and feel as a good normally sung, opera like note. Turst me you will see alot of progress if you practice your singing first. Of course good technique is key. Have you checked out my voicehelp hotline? If not then check it out. Practice singing, then singing hard...you've got to use the cords in their usual manner...just with a little extra push/strength...and that push should come from breath support from the diaphragm. Dont make it harder than it should be. I want to hear the other scream though...Maybe you've got some whistle in their.

[xBleedingxEdgex]

Thanks a lot for the response man.Must get pissed off with all the question :) I managed to get it a bit better, with a real scream now , just not good. Stupid voice makes a vibrating sound :/. I take it that it just takes proper breathing and practice to hold the scream for longer. http://s8.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=21F4QTC9C9EZL1GIR82E3KUUFG

[Merkaba]

What do you mean by vibrating sound? When you sing a normal note does it do this?

I dont hear anything too bad in the second sample. Sounds ok. I think with some practice and time you'll have it down. And remember that everyone will have a little different sound.

[xBleedingxEdgex]

Nah, only when I try screaming,,, It's just where some people usually keep a clear scream, mine sounds some-what "non-smooth", Guess it could just be my voice :)
Thanks man

[Alcore]

okay i know you must all be sick to death of the questions, but i'd appreciate some help or even a link to a post/reply to help me out.

i can get the scream, but it totally ****s up, i think im doing the technique right (i followed the instructions on the first page)...but it just completely goes after ive done it once or twice.

thanks in advance

[ILOVESCREAMO]

I am trying to practice screaming but i cant even scream without the rasp. It just goes into a whisper. But i can get the rasp when i dont scream but it doesnt have much "voice"in it. I am hoping to scream like underoath and from first to last. So please help. our band really needs a screamer

[Markdude]

While searching for tips on screaming on Google, I was linked to this thread.
I realized it's ages old, but it still looks fairly active, but I apologize if I rattled anyone's nerves bumping it again.

I've read most of the posts in this thread, but I may have accidentally skipped over someone asking this. I've started to get my scream technique down, but the sound I'm emitting is a mid-high pitched kind of "air"-ish noise. I'm almost sure that I hear this noise as kind of an overtone on some screaming, but I get almost completely that noise and not really much of a scream underneath. It's almost like the noise you make when you hiccup, except exhaling instead of inhaling.

I'm thinking that I'm probably closing my throat off too much in attempt to get a rasp. The thing is, when I open my throat more, I get more of a vocal noise without rasp, like I was yelling instead of screaming. I assume that I'm using the wrong technique to get a rasp sound. Can anyone help me?

[JomJom]

was just wondering...how are really high-pitched screams done? you know...grindcore stuff like daughters or the number twelve looks like you, etc...almost sounds like a cat screeching.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=29643417&Mytoken=22AD33EA-15A2-4E43-ABB37FCD791790292662364328

there's a good example if you don't know what i'm talking about...i suggest "don't get blood on my prada shoes"...that's the kinda sound i want to know how to achieve.

[golfguy]

hi, so we are supposed to use falsetto. I can do an "eeeeeeeeeeee"
sound in falsetto pretty good but im not sure how that would turn into
a scream.

The thing jay was saying about not thinking and just be like shouting
"HEY COME OVER HERE" is kind of a gut scream, but I want to
do more of a higher pitched finch type scream.

Anyway what should i think about to turn the falsetto into a scream? Thanks.

[Merkaba]

Let me guess, you did a search on google or something and found this thread. Go out the jams session and check out better information. Its not always falsetto. Look into the Voichelp hotline.

[tacrae]

I really don't know, at first my teacher said it was very high for a bloke but then she said it was very low. I can hit most of Cornell's notes pretty well (Without his kinda witchey personal sound mind) but I can't hit the second note in about girl by Nirvana. It's weird as hell.:confused:

Chris Cornell belts. Can you explain how to belt? I really want to learn how to belt. He belts Perfectly. I want to know how to belt. Thanks.
PS. CHRIS CORNELL IS THE GOD OF MALE VOCALISTS

[ItsJulzBitches]

I'm a chick, and I'm an alto... should this technique work for me as well?? I seriously have never screamed before... how long will this take to work??

thanks


- Julz

[El Calle Gato]

screaming is pushing more air past your vocal chords than necessary. its exactly like singing, except with more air.