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Hey Singers! I’m Justin Stoney, Founder of New York Vocal Coaching
here with you for Ep. 123 of Voice Lessons To The World.
I’m joined again by one of the world’s leading
distortion researchers and experts - Nicolás Hormazábal.
Welcome Good Sir!
Thank you very much! [death growl]
Hi everyone!
I’m Nicolás Hormazábal from Chile.
Let’s do it again!
Let’s do it again.
So far, Nicolas and I have walked you through
regular Growls.
[demonstrates]
False Fold Distortion.
[demonstrates]
And today’s topic is even more spicy -
Death Growls.
[demonstrates]
Delightful!
I can’t wait to get into this one.
But first, a few quick disclaimers about Rasp and Distortion
Distortions should not hurt.
They are not loud. The microphone does the work.
They are usually much less aggressive
and much more subtle than we think.
They are not damaging to the voice if done properly.
Distortions take time.
Be patient with yourself and study with an expert if you can.
So, Nicolás - how would you describe Death Growls?
Okay, a death growl is an “unnatural” voice,
it’s more aggressive.
It doesn’t sound like a human voice.
It’s more like a monster or a demon, or whatever.
So yeah, it’s more aggressive than the other ones
we’ve studied.
Yeah!
So why don’t we come up with a formal definition
for Death Growls.
Death Growls are:
A ‘rough’ or ‘monstrous' quality produced by
the aperiodic (unpredictable) vibrations of the false vocal folds,
typically involving the vocal folds vibrating in a ‘headier’
or more decompressed fashion.
Now let’s listen to a few singers using Death Growls…
So, how do we learn to do Death Growls?
Let’s look at three strategies.
First - False Fold Distortion + Low Notes
So we already learned the false fold distortion.
And this is combining it with a low note.
Yep, because when we want to produce a death growl
we want to “disactivate” a little bit the true vocal folds,
or disactivate it all, you know?
And one of the best strategies is going down in pitch.
And if we add rasp, or false fold distortion,
and we use the same exercise going down,
it sounds like this…
[demonstrates]
And I am loosening the adduction of the vocal folds.
[demonstrates]
And that’s a way you can do it.
Because it’s really difficult to explain to someone,
okay do a rasp without using your vocal folds.
Yes it is!
So we’re loosening the folds by dropping the pitch
while keeping the false folds involved.
That’s fantastic.
Now, next up False Fold Distortion + Yodels.
Now we’ve looked at Yodels together in the past.
You can go back and watch a whole episode
on that if you’d like.
But essentially a Yodel is when we go from M1 Chest Voice
to M2 Head Voice in a very abrupt or delineated way.
Like this - OO.
Give that a go!
OO
That's nice.
This is actually one of the keys to this distortion.
To be able to find your false folds first,
and then “let go” of your true vocal folds like you’re
moving up into a yodel.
Right Nicolás?
Yes of course.
It’s a really good strategy to find your death growl.
Sounds like this…
[demonstrates]
And then if you hold the distortions…
[demonstrates]
Yeah excellent. So we have the lowering of pitch
and the loosening of folds into head voice
while that false fold distortion is going on.
Excellent.
Now, third Strategy a sustained cough.
A sustained cough?
For this exercise we have to be really careful.
Because remember, distortion doesn’t hurt.
It should never hurt.
Yeah.
It’s a really simple exercise.
We take a cough…
[demonstrates]
And we try to sustain the sound.
[demonstrates]
And then you got it.
Okay easy as that!
I never knew a cough would have such good benefits.
This is great stuff!
And I hope this gives you at least a small start
with your Death Growls.
Next time we’re going to be talking about vocal fry.
[demonstrates]
And actually taking that deeper than
many people have ever really imagined.
It’s going to be great.
If you’re a voice teacher looking to train distortions
or if you’re a singer looking to master distortions,
here’s how you can really hone your craft…
If you’d like to sing with Rasp and Distortion
visit newyorkvocalcoaching.com/distortion.
If you’re a voice teacher wanting to teach Rasp and Distortion
safely to your singers, please visit voiceteachertraining.com/distortion
and become a part of our worldwide community.
To get your copy of Justin Stoney's book Sing Like Never Before,
visit singlikeneverbefore.com
If you'd like a vocal course that you can do from home,
check out the Voice Lessons To The World Vocal Course.
Our 12 part program takes you on a journey from beginner
to master level vocal exercises.
Find it at VoiceLessonsToTheWorld.com.
Finally, if you'd like free vocal tips sent to you each day,
sign up at DailyVocalTips.com.
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