New Zealand Heavy Metal Forum & Discussion

[Jacob_Inferno]

Hey guys, I've been having a problem with my voice after singing gigs.. especially the morning after! I sing a gig, and my voice is fucked the next day and I can only half talk and I really don't get why because it doesn't hurt or strain my voice at all, it just happens! The vocal style I do is James Hetfield but a bit cleaner so not much raunch, so if there is any help you guys can give out to prevent the voice loss then it would be appreciated!!

Cheers

[Crud-bucket]

Try and grab a copy of The Zen of screaming dvd dude.I just managed to get a copy the other day finally.

[Jacob_Inferno]

You think that would help? Even though I don't do screaming?

[Death]

Its all about Diaphragm Support. Simply, when you are singing, pretend you are taking a shit. By that I mean the same muscles you use to take a poo are the same ones that support your lungs/throat in singing/screaming.

Without this support you rely completely on your vocal chords for power, and yeah end up killing your voice.

I mainly scream/growl, and never have a sore throat/fucked voice the next day.

Failing that, get some singing lessons! You'd be amazed at what you'll learn!

[Obzen]

Simply, when you are singing, pretend you are taking a shit.

best.
advice.
ever.

[Skoll]

Learn to use your diaphragm/get vocal lessons.

[Death]

I love how you really add to the threads skoll!

[Dead Kid]

Simply, when you are singing, pretend you are taking a shit.

Or if you're GG Allin, just ignore the pretend part. I'm surprised more singers don't have 'accidents' on stage now.

[Skoll]

I love how you really add to the threads skoll!

...

[Jacob_Inferno]

Thanks Skoll! I'll try that for next practice/gig and I'll tell you if it helps me Thanks alot everyone else

[Burning Beard]

Learn to use your diaphragm/get vocal lessons.

That's pretty much it.

And get savvy soon, because the damage you can do can be irreparable.

Do you warm up Jacob?

[Martli]

Also, if you're going to drink water (probably a good idea) drink warm water. Cold water shocks the vocal chords too much, it'll fuck them up.

[Trendkill]

Also, if you're going to drink water (probably a good idea) drink warm water. Cold water shocks the vocal chords too much, it'll fuck them up.

learn something every day!

some good tips in here
will have to practice diaphram support next time im on the booze screaming along to metal

[Skoll]

Also, if you're going to drink water (probably a good idea) drink warm water. Cold water shocks the vocal chords too much, it'll fuck them up.

Yep, water at room temperature is very important also.

Also good to go through some exercises that warm up your vocals chords, hard to explain how to do that though.

Lying on your back or standing up straight rather than crouched is also helpful for diaphragm exercises and ensures less strain on your vocals than need be.

[Death]

Stance can help, chin in (not right in just be looking straight not up), shoulders back, knees unlocked, feet same distance as shoulders are among other things a vocal teacher will tell you.

Can also teach you to control your false folds so you can use them for effect rather than thrashing them and relying on them for power.

[Jacob_Inferno]

The really gay thing about Vocal Lessons at high school is they focus more on getting NCEA credits than actually getting you better.. How about doing bass as 2nd instrument rather than vocals?

It's a hell of a lot different singing with an acoustic guitar than singing with a band so it's good to get feedback from people that actually sing in bands.

[Death]

Um, to be honest, it feels different, but its not that different at all. Loudness can give you confidence and noise to hide behind, but really...

[Rob]

Also, if you're going to drink water (probably a good idea) drink warm water. Cold water shocks the vocal chords too much, it'll fuck them up.

Yep, water at room temperature is very important also.

Also good to go through some exercises that warm up your vocals chords, hard to explain how to do that though.

Lying on your back or standing up straight rather than crouched is also helpful for diaphragm exercises and ensures less strain on your vocals than need be.

yeah our vocalist does that so much. all i hear every day. is la la la la la la la la
no,no,no,no,no,no,no etc. haha he does it driving to work also. im gettin concerned. im wondering if he's ever gonna sing the song.. is it better to practice the song or practice technique? ive told him i think he's focusing to much on technique. ideas? its strange having a drama/actor as a vocalist.

[Obzen]

Probably a good thing.
I think a lot of singers (especially in metal) arent comfortable with doing weird sounding vocal exercises.
Its kinda like a drummer practicing rudiments and shit, of course you gotta practice both the songs and techniques.

[Crud-bucket]

Ha yeah i feel stink practising vocal exercises at the back of the bar beforehand so hardly ever do which is bad.I cant afford vocal lessons so i leave it up to singing along to the stereo.Used to have a vocal coach on my performing arts course years back which helped.So will keep on with the stereo and Zen of screaming DVD for now.

[soundstorm]

Warm ups are essential.

I used to never warm up before shows and I was fine. After screaming for a couple of years it got to the point where I would lose my voice midway through the set - I'd never be able to get the really low gutterals nor the high stuff - only the mid-range growl that comes most natural to me. Now I use the Zen of Screaming warmup CD before shows, the difference it makes is incredible.. Only takes 15 mins for me to get fully warmed up and since using it I've been feeling great.

The vocal warmups aren't aimed specifically at screamers - in fact, the first Zen of Screaming DVD mentions very little about screaming; it focuses mostly on teaching you to use your vocal chords correctly with singing, correct delivery, etc. The second is more focused on screaming though.

In short, if you haven't already, I highly recommend getting some warm-up discs or something of the like.

[Trendkill]

Sounds like the Zen of Screaming is legit as

[Jacob_Inferno]

Sounds like the Zen of Screaming is legit as

This.

Where abouts is the dvd available?

[soundstorm]

I think it's difficult to find in NZ.

This one seems like a pretty fucking sweet deal - around USD$20 shipped. http://cgi.ebay.com/ZEN-SCREAMING-NEW-D ... 1e602a0eef - includes CD too.

ZOS2 - http://cgi.ebay.com/ZEN-SCREAMING-2-NEW ... 1e602a1d0d - same seller as above, may be able to do some sort of combined deal or something?

However, I just found this one here - http://www.amazon.com/Art-Screaming-Sus ... 880&sr=8-3 - The Art of Screaming. Haven't heard of it before but may be worth checking out?

[Rob]

yeah i said to our vocalist get the zen of screaming dvd's. he's like. oh ive got both of them. haha awesome. im like thats great. cause now i can watch them!..