[QUOTE]try staying as relaxed as possible with like 50% push than what you're doing now and gradually work you way back up.[/QUOTE]

I do that, well, but I turn my mic up and my band is all like "Dude, tune your mic down...." I argue and they say, "just do it louder..."... so they don't really understand, but I tell them. Maybe at some point they're right.

But, yeah, the lower screams really do the worst. Higher one are easier because I feel I don't have to apply too much pressure and it suddenly squeezes out and I could hold it for about 7-8 seconds.

[QUOTE]I'll post audio clips if that'll help.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I could imagine it will.

[QUOTE=Reckoning of Fire;14537496]Hey Safety Chaser, your screams don't sound too bad. I can kinda hear you tensing up for the low screams, maybe closing your throat off? Maybe at band practices, try staying as relaxed as possible with like 50% push than what you're doing now and gradually work you way back up.

To be honest, I can't scream very well myself, I have trouble with the basic rasp, and getting my head around the "buzzer" or "dog growl" sound. I'm not sure exactly what I'm supposed to do. I can do the sounds but I'm not sure if I'm doing them right. Someone also said to me screaming is like sighing, can anyone please clear this up? I'll post audio clips if that'll help.[/QUOTE]

Sighing doesnt pressurize the diaphragm it relaxes it, so forget that, But yes, the position in the larynx would be as relaxes as it is during a sigh. I think whoever said this was thinking about that aspect. Its kinda like melissa says, pressurize like youre taking a dump, pushing one out, hold that a split second and you get a feel for what you kinda force you have at your disposal. Then try to get a normal note, non rasped, from this type of pressure, and work on releasing very little. YOu should almost be able to need another breath from lack of oxygen before your note runs out. And remember to imagine NOT blowing out a small candle in front of your mouth. It doesnt take much air release with a normal note, which should be your foundation for all of your other stuff.

[QUOTE=kdash;14506578]another question is how to improve on the 'ee' and 'oo' vowels, i find them the hardest, since i can't open up as much as lets say 'ah'.[/QUOTE]


Practice. plus you've got to make sure youre amplified properly if in a studio or rehearsal setup, or just not singing too hard if in the car or somewhere else. E is the hardest, as its the only vowel that requires your vocal cords to come completely closed during its wave cycles. So it will create a tad more resitance and you'll need everything to be working together to get a good balance. Again, just practicing singing a song with only vowels is a great way to get a hold on trouble vowels at certain pitches. If anything, i would say to try to back off a little when going for e. O is kinda the opposite and is a great way to practice low notes because the mouth itself helps shape the vowel. It can be tough to get an O up high, but you can trick it sometimes if youre holding a note, then start it off by using Ahhh, then switching and rolling it into an OH for the last bit of the note. Kinda disguise it. Ah can be used manytimes as an easier begining for other vowels. Of course this is better suited for aggressive or rock type of approaches.

Practice the notes at minimal push and volume and slowly start rolling on more. Robot face aka expressionless, as I go over in the isolation threads, can help you in practice. If you havent been there, go to the first page of this thread.

[QUOTE=Anubis;14491173]I see. Ill try reading some of the thread, but the 50 pages was off putting. Later.[/QUOTE]

Go to page one it helps "guide" you with a "fable" of contents.

[QUOTE=kdash;14506578]another question is how to improve on the 'ee' and 'oo' vowels, i find them the hardest, since i can't open up as much as lets say 'ah'.[/QUOTE]


Practice. plus you've got to make sure youre amplified properly if in a studio or rehearsal setup, or just not singing too hard if in the car or somewhere else. E is the hardest, as its the only vowel that requires your vocal cords to come completely closed during its wave cycles. So it will create a tad more resitance and you'll need everything to be working together to get a good balance. Again, just practicing singing a song with only vowels is a great way to get a hold on trouble vowels at certain pitches. If anything, i would say to try to back off a little when going for e. O is kinda the opposite and is a great way to practice low notes because the mouth itself helps shape the vowel. It can be tough to get an O up high, but you can trick it sometimes if youre holding a note, then start it off by using Ahhh, then switching and rolling it into an OH for the last bit of the note. Kinda disguise it. Ah can be used manytimes as an easier begining for other vowels. Of course this is better suited for aggressive or rock type of approaches.

Practe the notes at minimal push and volume and slowly start rolling on more. Robot face aka expressionless, as I go over in the isolation threads, can help you in practice. If you havent been there, go to the first page of this thread.

[QUOTE=Safety Chaser;14533615]Merk, so I'm screaming for like a comple of songs during my band practice or whatever, and after that my vocals start feeling like crap. Not hurting, but just that feeling that I got to stop. I was sitting there think and wondering what the hell I'm going to do but I didn't know Melissa Cross's DVD seems a little unfocused on the actual teaching.

So, how do you think I could help my voice feel less restrained from my rasping... I've uploaded a file to stream to show you what I'm currently doing.

[url]http://media.putfile.com/My-RaspScream[/url][/QUOTE]

Doesnt sound that bad, but when youre in a stage or practice setting you might tense up the throat. Again, the best way to make sure you dont do this is to practice normal singing, so you can get in touch with good diaphragm support behind a well placed note. That way you have a good foundation to build on. So many want to scream because its popular. Some can just do it naturally without killing themselves. Others are trying to build a house from the roof down. Get a good foundation. It will lead you to better tone, and more range access.

The next step would be holding that relaxed type of setup and increasing diaphragm pressure, NOT throat squeeze or tension which is what many people do. You really dont need to think much about your throat. When I have trouble it is always from me using my throat to manipulate something that shouldve been done by my diaphragm. And your sample notes sounding like you were in falsetto and I dont think you need to be for those notes. So make sure you can get into and out of HEAD Voice. Many people can access head voice well and skip over into falsetto when they dont need to. This can lead to improper tension and fatigue before your due time. I have a head voice thread on page one. Cant remember how in depth it is but head, from my schooling, is the area of true voice bellow falsetto but higher than chest. Your upper true voice range. If youre a standard baritone you should be able to ring the E, F and G above middle C without going into falsetto. Start on maybe the A below middle C and do vowels up to the next E and F or so to see if youre still keeping the cords closed and in "normal" voice.

[QUOTE=Merkaba;14538975]Practice. plus you've got to make sure youre amplified properly if in a studio or rehearsal setup, or just not singing too hard if in the car or somewhere else. E is the hardest, as its the only vowel that requires your vocal cords to come completely closed during its wave cycles. So it will create a tad more resitance and you'll need everything to be working together to get a good balance. Again, just practicing singing a song with only vowels is a great way to get a hold on trouble vowels at certain pitches. If anything, i would say to try to back off a little when going for e. O is kinda the opposite and is a great way to practice low notes because the mouth itself helps shape the vowel. It can be tough to get an O up high, but you can trick it sometimes if youre holding a note, then start it off by using Ahhh, then switching and rolling it into an OH for the last bit of the note. Kinda disguise it. Ah can be used manytimes as an easier begining for other vowels. Of course this is better suited for aggressive or rock type of approaches.

Practe the notes at minimal push and volume and slowly start rolling on more. Robot face aka expressionless, as I go over in the isolation threads, can help you in practice. If you havent been there, go to the first page of this thread.[/QUOTE]

My problem then becomes being able to the vowel on key but sounding like an opera singer.........

Maybe a bad mix? but i also find it easier with a lower larynx.

[QUOTE=Merkaba;14538925]Go to page one it helps "guide" you with a "fable" of contents.[/QUOTE]

oh yeah my bad.

Merkabas, I'm a begginer singer and I'm starting a little more on the smooth side because I've been a guitar player of 5 years now, so I'm not too bad at hitting the notes I want, but my problem is that I can't hit them LOUD enough! I guess I'm talking about higher notes specifically. Well.. not HIGH notes.. like say, these:

e|--------|
b|-3-2-0-|
g|--------|
d|--------|
a|--------|
e|--------|

So, not really HIGH notes, but for a begginer.. I guess I think of them as high notes lol. So, any exercises, tips, or anything to help me strenghten my singing so I can sing them louder instead of just humming to myself?

Need Feedback for Vocals
 

First time posting, I have read some really helpful things here though. I'm trying to get feedback for some vocal demos I made over backing tracks, on a home digital recorder, they are in .mp3 format. I have an FTP site link where they can be downloaded from. If anyone can give me some constructive feedback please email [email]tom.sterle@earthlink.net[/email], or reply to this post with your email and I will send the link. THANKS

[QUOTE=CKYhellview;14557536]Merkabas, I'm a begginer singer and I'm starting a little more on the smooth side because I've been a guitar player of 5 years now, so I'm not too bad at hitting the notes I want, but my problem is that I can't hit them LOUD enough! I guess I'm talking about higher notes specifically. Well.. not HIGH notes.. like say, these:

e|--------|
b|-3-2-0-|
g|--------|
d|--------|
a|--------|
e|--------|

So, not really HIGH notes, but for a begginer.. I guess I think of them as high notes lol. So, any exercises, tips, or anything to help me strenghten my singing so I can sing them louder instead of just humming to myself?[/QUOTE]
Just practice making the notes you want and add a little more over time WITH THE DIAPHRAGM and not by constricting the throat.Go to page one I have a thread there for strength and flexibility.

[QUOTE=WantVox;14557576]First time posting, I have read some really helpful things here though. I'm trying to get feedback for some vocal demos I made over backing tracks, on a home digital recorder, they are in .mp3 format. I have an FTP site link where they can be downloaded from. If anyone can give me some constructive feedback please email [email]tom.sterle@earthlink.net[/email], or reply to this post with your email and I will send the link. THANKS[/QUOTE]

go to yousendit or something.

Feedback for Vocal Demos
 

Sorry, maybe I was misunderstood. I already have a way to send the mp3 files, it's just a matter of me getting the link (an FTP site with a password embedded in it) to anyone who is interested in downloading, listening and providing constructive comments. I didn't want to just post the link here because I did that once before on a message board and got a lot of unhelpful comments from casual listeners. So I just need a "secure" way to get this link to anyone who can listen and evaluate, who is qualified to provide helpful feedback. Email is the only way I could think of, which is why I included my email address. Thanks again, I really appreciate anyone taking the time to help.

Okay i have a question. I'm the singer and guitarist in a band. I can do both pretty well. The thing is, i am considering of buying a mic. To practice at home. So my questions are:

1. Is practicing with a mic at home really that useful? Will there be a big progress in my voice? Note that i only practice with my band for about 1 hour per week. The other time i'm singing without a mic.

2. I will be connecting the mic to my laptop. Will i be needing an amp or something?? I will be going for cheaper models. Cheaper than SM58..

Any other suggestions welcomed. Thanks.

My vocal style is a bit like Randy Rampage on Alison Hell i.e dirty-clean most of the time with occasional screams.

I'm also getting into screaming a lot lately. Still learning it though.

[QUOTE=WantVox;14563034]Sorry, maybe I was misunderstood. I already have a way to send the mp3 files, it's just a matter of me getting the link (an FTP site with a password embedded in it) to anyone who is interested in downloading, listening and providing constructive comments. I didn't want to just post the link here because I did that once before on a message board and got a lot of unhelpful comments from casual listeners. So I just need a "secure" way to get this link to anyone who can listen and evaluate, who is qualified to provide helpful feedback. Email is the only way I could think of, which is why I included my email address. Thanks again, I really appreciate anyone taking the time to help.[/QUOTE]

oh man, its a chance youre gonna have to take. THis forum is pretty good about giving constructive advice. Youre always gonna have someone that doesnt dig your voice. Personally, I have a full time third shift job, starting real estate sales agency, personal training, and tax pro at H&R block during tax season, plus voice consultation. I do good just to come here, and all I'd be doing is repeating myself. Go to page one of this thread if you havent.

Well here is my sample, hopefully you guys can tell me what i'm doing wrong.

[url]http://media.putfile.com/Rasp-help-please[/url]

thanks in advance for listening

I've got a new file up!
 

Hi there guys!

Recently i asked for your opinions on one my band's songs. We've just uploaded two more songs to our site, and there's one that i'd be glad you listened:

Band: samsara-maya
Song: Eclipse Lunar
Site: [url]http://trig.com/samsara-maya[/url]

It's in a lower key than "paradoxos do jovem artista". I think that helped me get more rasp. It was a first take recording, in a cold environment, so i wasn't totally relaxed, i can hear some clenching here and there.

Merk and everyone, pleaz say what you think.

Thanx a lot. You all rule.

what about death growls? Anyone got a clue on how to do those?

when i scream my adams apple moves higher in my throat. I have to lower my chin in order to scream otherwise my adams apple gets strained. Am I doing something wrong?

[QUOTE=punknmetal4lyf;14574630]what about death growls? Anyone got a clue on how to do those?[/QUOTE]

Toungue to the roof of your mouth, push from the gut and kind of shape the words with your lips nearly closed, exxagerating the vowels. Focus mostly on the ahh and ohh vowels, and for an effect of versatality, throw in some ee sounds... try to keep gutteral, so all low end.

Okay so I've been trying to sing some leonard cohen properly today, and I'm having some difficulties.

I can hit the notes, but when I go that low, I run out of air really fast, and I don't like the way it sounds (I want to get it smoother, like cohen's voice).

Singing it up an octave is more like my normal singing range, but it's just not the same.


Any advice at all? specifically on the air thing; I can't seem to control my airflow that low.

Hey, I was wondering. Do you guys know of any System of a down/Saosin songs that use head voice? Also, I'm sort-of curious but what vocal range would you qualify Tom DeLonge of Blink and Chris Conley of Saves The Day in? Thanks.

Oh, and what would would you say the lowest note a tenor can hit?

[QUOTE=Xero09;14605117]Hey, I was wondering. Do you guys know of any System of a down/Saosin songs that use head voice? Also, I'm sort-of curious but what vocal range would you qualify Tom DeLonge of Blink and Chris Conley of Saves The Day in? Thanks.

Oh, and what would would you say the lowest note a tenor can hit?[/QUOTE]

Um...just about every song? Saosin and system seem to ing in head voice all the time. Head voice, from my teaching, is true voice before you reach falsetto. some people would call this chest voice mechanism, in the upper range. Either way, these two bands and both cove and ant use it all the time. Any of the high runs that arent falsetto. I cant recall ever hearing ant use it, if he does he gets so much resonance on it that it doesnt matter. Maybe in some of his super high double/backing tracks. I dont listen to the other bands enough to know, let me do a little you tubing.....

Ok, the dude from blink is probably a low tenor or "bari tenor" if not a full I didnt listen enough to say for sure. He has a rather light voice I think.
The guy from saves the day is probably in the same boat....
Why does it matter? If you cant access head your singing will suffer greatly. If you can then its a matter of sounding good within your range and not like someone else. A more important questin is can you access head voice?

[QUOTE=Nick;14584046]Okay so I've been trying to sing some leonard cohen properly today, and I'm having some difficulties.

I can hit the notes, but when I go that low, I run out of air really fast, and I don't like the way it sounds (I want to get it smoother, like cohen's voice).

Singing it up an octave is more like my normal singing range, but it's just not the same.


Any advice at all? specifically on the air thing; I can't seem to control my airflow that low.[/QUOTE]

Lip trills/motor boats....

[QUOTE=Nick;14584046]Okay so I've been trying to sing some leonard cohen properly today, and I'm having some difficulties.

I can hit the notes, but when I go that low, I run out of air really fast, and I don't like the way it sounds (I want to get it smoother, like cohen's voice).

Singing it up an octave is more like my normal singing range, but it's just not the same.


Any advice at all? specifically on the air thing; I can't seem to control my airflow that low.[/QUOTE]

Go to page one of this thread....look at the "from the gut" section among others.

Just a quick Q.

Is there any reason my falsetto will just cut out mid-note?
Tis rather annoying. That and I can't hit it consistently without horrifically slaughtering my tone.
Does that just mean I should give up on falsetto? Or just don't know how to use it?

[QUOTE=Grumma;14614717]Just a quick Q.

Is there any reason my falsetto will just cut out mid-note?
Tis rather annoying. That and I can't hit it consistently without horrifically slaughtering my tone.
Does that just mean I should give up on falsetto? Or just don't know how to use it?[/QUOTE]

post a sample. Be sure youre not over pushing. You dont alot of air for a decent falsetto. Just keep practicing. Make sure youre not tensing the back of the tongue and try to keep the tip slightly on your bottom front teeth.

hey merkaba im a 16 year old male , i have tthis little clip of me singing, it was made a while ago, it has some effects on it and its not super great, at one part i am using my head voice, is it done well or if right? and i know i go off key some parts but i did it in one take with a 10 dollar mic(excuses i know hah) This sounds bland and lack of emotion then what i want it tobe, but here it is

[url]http://www.purevolume.com/martinez[/url]

I am wondering how to sing high notes more lightly. my high notes are powerful and have plenty of resonance, but sometimes when i want to go lightly i find it hard. I think this is one of the reason my high notes doesn't sound as emotional? I put too much effort into giving the note so much resonance that it sounds bland?

[QUOTE=kdash;14645108]I am wondering how to sing high notes more lightly. my high notes are powerful and have plenty of resonance, but sometimes when i want to go lightly i find it hard. I think this is one of the reason my high notes doesn't sound as emotional? I put too much effort into giving the note so much resonance that it sounds bland?[/QUOTE]

You could be pushing too much to get the powerful highs, which would explain why you can't do the same notes softly. Split your time up so your working on singing the notes above your break (probably an F or F#) in a powerful head voice half the time, and a soft falsetto or mix other times. I would definitely check out Jaime Vendera's Raise Your Voice book if you don't have it already, because theres a series of exercises that will help you very much with this. Look up the classical exercise Messa Di Voce if you cant afford Jaimes book (which is only 20 in ebook form so get it). Its pretty much the same thing.

[QUOTE=Safety Chaser;14533615]Merk, so I'm screaming for like a comple of songs during my band practice or whatever, and after that my vocals start feeling like crap. Not hurting, but just that feeling that I got to stop. I was sitting there think and wondering what the hell I'm going to do but I didn't know Melissa Cross's DVD seems a little unfocused on the actual teaching.

So, how do you think I could help my voice feel less restrained from my rasping... I've uploaded a file to stream to show you what I'm currently doing.

[url]http://media.putfile.com/My-RaspScream[/url][/QUOTE]

You're using your throat way too much dude. Just take that feeling and aim it from lower.

[QUOTE=kdash;14645108]I am wondering how to sing high notes more lightly. my high notes are powerful and have plenty of resonance, but sometimes when i want to go lightly i find it hard. I think this is one of the reason my high notes doesn't sound as emotional? I put too much effort into giving the note so much resonance that it sounds bland?[/QUOTE]Post a sample, or what note are you talking about? Some people think a note is "high" when, given there range, its not high. If you can only hit it in falsetto then its probably high, if youre a tenor then your high is more than likey gonna have more resonance as you go higher, and some things, physiologically, are gonna be harder to do.

[QUOTE=thursdaythrice;14627947]hey merkaba im a 16 year old male , i have tthis little clip of me singing, it was made a while ago, it has some effects on it and its not super great, at one part i am using my head voice, is it done well or if right? and i know i go off key some parts but i did it in one take with a 10 dollar mic(excuses i know hah) This sounds bland and lack of emotion then what i want it tobe, but here it is

[url]http://www.purevolume.com/martinez[/url][/QUOTE]

Not bad. But where's the singing? lol...I think you had a few notes in head and it sounds like youre able to at least flip up into it so youre familiar with the feel. But you have a whole other level of support you could be getting into that would liven that up if you so wished. If youre interested then go to page one and look into coming from the gut.

[QUOTE=Merkaba;14649767]Post a sample, or what note are you talking about? Some people think a note is "high" when, given there range, its not high. If you can only hit it in falsetto then its probably high, if youre a tenor then your high is more than likey gonna have more resonance as you go higher, and some things, physiologically, are gonna be harder to do.[/QUOTE]

Notes around high C. When i try to use less air to do it more lightly it just cracks and doesn't stay on note too well.

You aren't supporting it correctly then if it doesn't stay on pitch and cracks. Cracking shows your out of balance with too much or too little air, so use it as your gauge to find the perfect amount of air to send up.

[url]http://forum.completevocalinstitute.com/viewtopic.php?t=3281[/url]
In this link it says that the larynx needs to rise as the pitch increases. This confuses me. As a rising larynx is suppose to be what damages your voices due to closing off your throat. If a rising larynx isn't damaging, then what can be damaging in singing?

[QUOTE=kdash;14651108][url]http://forum.completevocalinstitute.com/viewtopic.php?t=3281[/url]
In this link it says that the larynx needs to rise as the pitch increases. This confuses me. As a rising larynx is suppose to be what damages your voices due to closing off your throat. If a rising larynx isn't damaging, then what can be damaging in singing?[/QUOTE]

Not a fan of the Complete Vocal Technique method... avoid it. Your larynx can raise a tiny bit or lower a bit, but NEVER very much at all. If it goes too high, your going to pull a lifter muscle, which is one of the muscles that causes it to raise when you swallow;thats obviously pretty painful.

I downloaded voiceprint and tested my pitch. I reliable do C6's and manage a Db6/D6 sometimes. Is that high enough to be considered whistle? When I tried to tested using what I for sure know is falsetto I did a reliable G5 sometimes hitting Ab5.

[QUOTE]Toungue to the roof of your mouth, push from the gut and kind of shape the words with your lips nearly closed, exxagerating the vowels. Focus mostly on the ahh and ohh vowels, and for an effect of versatality, throw in some ee sounds... try to keep gutteral, so all low end.[/QUOTE]

Dig it dude. I'm gonna start practicing as soon as I get alone in the car. Thx.

Glad I could be a help.

Could you guys tell me if I'm singing wrong in any way?
I drink a lot of water while recording, warm up by singing along to "A Night At the Opera" (not perfectly, of course) andmy throat doesn't hurt as much as it... I can't really describe it, but I don't loose my voice afterwards anyway. here's a demo, I start singing about 1:40 into the song
[url]http://www.myspace.com/danarbed[/url]