Nothing constructive relating to my own singing really (what little there is of it) but just something I'm wondering.
How the ever-loving piss does Devin Townsend do that pitched screaming thing?
Example at 6:35 onward:
2:30 (one of my favourite moments in all of recorded music):
All of this, but the best bit's at 3:15:
I mean... obviously he's got a ridiculous range and a great amount of power behind his voice, but how do you actually scream like that, at that volume, and attach an actual pitch to it so you can "sing" melodies?
I should clarify - he's really fucking loud when he's doing it, he's really belting it. I was at the Albert Hall gig in April, which the first video's from, and I remember that even with earplugs in, his voice penetrated right through and still made my ears ring. That scream could strip paint off a wall, it's ridiculous. And it just sounds so awesome.
Anyone know how it's done?
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It's slightly complex as you asked about a vocal technique yet actually it is a style that is almost completely contrary to every bit of vocal technique ever advised. It is basically shouting/screaming in tune hopefully. One very important thing to remember before even attempting this is that at the point Devin does it he is well and truly warmed up and only uses it as an effect for a very short period otherwise he would fuck his voice.
The ability to do it can be helped by tonal qualities of the voice and your range, Jared Leto being an example of someone who floats around this. Ultimately though unless your Bobcat Goldthwait it'll will be putting strain on your voice and damaging your vocal chords. Mind you maybe some chicks really dig lumpy vocal chords.
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@Drew_FX - Not seen any of her vids but just watched a couple. She sounds like she's on a similar mission to Mrs RHC's old vocal coach who made it her mission to take vocalists who had become famous with awful technique and retrain the to protect their voices. Kelly Jones was her first big target.
One thing I really like about what I've so far watched of Melissa Cross's stuff is she helps people accept that sometimes you are going to look like a tit and when you fully open your voice you often do and you feel it. Sometimes even recording Mrs RHC pushes me to do stuff that sets me off pissing myself because I know I look like a dick but it usually works.
So much of vocal delivery comes from genetic make up that I always feel it's a dangerous road chasing a vocal sound, rather than finding your own voice and learning to support it. Very few singers are completely comfortable in a multitude of approaches and ranges. I used to work with a lady who had been Kurt Cobain's vocal coach when they first came over here. Surprisingly to some Kurt had very good technique (or more precisely support of his voice) and the voice he had was natural. Unfortunately though so many people have damaged their voices trying to emulate 'his' sound. Axl Rose and Thom Yorke are two similar case.
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That's nothing check out 0.54 falsetto and 2.54 chest/head voice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keOvm0wl1qI
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
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Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com