Cathrine Sadolin teaching extreme vocal effects - distortion

[LeapingDodo]

Extreme vocals???

Now come with some native american and the munk double tone singing stuff. Then come back and call this extreme. To be honest, i can do this for over 2 years without problems.... O.o

[Millarization]

@LeapingDodo: would like to see your video ... ^^

[Tyisme100]

how do you do that???

[LeapingDodo]

@Tyisme100 follow screaming tutorials, try it. and instead of full screaming you can use your voice and scream at the same time. also, if it hurts. STOP... wait... try again later, do something else wait untill it settles. because if it hurts, and you keep it up. you will end up damaging or at least overworking the mucle you use. and you could even potentially use the mucle in a self destructive way if done impropper. take note tough, you are using a mucle in your thought you normally dont use.

[Tyisme100]

@LeapingDodo Thanx, but is it supposed to come out low b/c i have a really high voice, but when i ever i attempt to do a distortion it comes out real low

[LeapingDodo]

@Tyisme100 yeah, i have a high voice too. (counter tenor myself) you will have to 'think' it a bit higher, so the vibration you make is a bit more above your regular voice muscle or something. then you can use your normal voice along with it to create a much higher and controlled pitch.

[ZEPHprod]

22 just tryed ...

[almightyad]

Wow. love the teacher's voice.

[MaralHM]

so much energy, wow!



[edo77edo]

no distortion for me, thanks

[hfneerd]

@edo77edo Yes, you're right. In certain styles distortion just doesn't make musical sense. It might come though, styles develop. It's all about taste. Thanks for your interest :)

[edo77edo]

@hfneerd Thank you for sharing the video. Actually i am a beginner and that's why i said that. If there is a proper technique it can be applied. But i don't think you can sing 2 hours with distortion :), what do you think?

[cpriicorn]

Need more videos of Catherine, she's very entertaining :)

[nicolas870]

Hideous

[Millarization]

@nicolas870: hideous comment !!

[jacksonvoice]

There is some interesting stuff in there for distorted sounds but honestly the singers don't sound good. But then again I'm not really a fan of screaming or extreme sounds so.

[Millarization]

@jacksonvoice: it's all a matter of taste, isn't it ? Separating taste & technique is very important. If someone doesn't sound according to your personal preferences, it doesn't mean it isn't good. This singer was recorded in a masterclass, which means she was exploring and questioning her art = being in a learning curve. Once people master the fundaments of healthy sound production, they can pass onto colouring, polishing & shaping their sound.

[karym112]

wow i want lessons from this woman its amazing

and verry danger's dont try this at home without a realy good coach

[mjordan1998]

I used to be such a skeptic of CVI but it really has made my voice 1000% percent better. The support section is its bread and butter.... Just hopefully in the book's next version they emphasize that the support inhale/exhale is something that should be put into muscle memory so you eventually don't even think about it, but still do it correctly. That would have saved me a lot of mental effort

[klein3351f]

Wow! This has the potential to truly ruin your voice if done improperly. Even the good advice of giving it a ton of breath support could go terribly wrong if the cords and larynx are doing the wrong thing. I'd suggest using this distortion sparingly, if at all. Quite frankly it is a sign of an untrained singer, being emulated now by trained singers for effect.

[hfneerd]

@klein3351f Yes there are always the possibility to damage the voice if using improper technique. It can happen when singing distortion, or when singing anything else, or when shouting at a football match. The distorted sound is not more dangerous than any other sound. Your suggestion to use distortion sparingly is not useful for for example metal singers. Today we have proper technique for all sounds the human voice can make. No need to fear a particular sound. Best wishes :) Henrik

[basssalad]

I've been singing blues and hard rock for 25+ years professionally, lots of distortion, on and off of course. The most important thing I have learned regarding distortion is MOISTURE. When you are nervous in a large venue performance, or the air conditioner/ dry heater is on, it is very important to keep your pipes moist. Myself, I have a half a piece of Trident gum tucked into my cheek at all times when singing, but I tend to run very dry anyway. And as they say, "pee clear to sing clear!"

[momma43]

Holy shit :D

[Farfetnoogen]

That was so good!

[videosfromCVI]

@Farfetnoogen

Thanks :)

[TheJackHarkness]

LOL the younger one sounds like a dwarf

[Deathjezter213]

Nice video. I sent this to a friend who wanted to know how I achieve massive vocal distortion in heavy metal music. The same techniques apply.

[napilopez]

As for distortion, much if not most distortion happens above the vocal folds, so if done appropriately it's not really damaging on the chords, that's the SS branch of thought, I believe.

The main thing is not high or low larynx, but whether you feel like you're hurting yourself. Pain and singing = No.

I think this is a great video, those with a good enough ear can tell this isn't really damaging the folds. Sadolin has clearly been doing this for a while, and she seems all right doesn't she? XD

[hfneerd]

Thanks for your kind words! You're right. Distortion (and all other sounds by the way) can be produced in a healthy way. Not only is Cathrine a good example on this, but also all Authorized CVT Teachers (about 50 at the moment, 30 more in a few weeks) can demonstrate and teach these effects. Many thousand more singers has learned it. Regarding larynx, we don't need to agree. As long as we are happy with what we are doing, no need to change it. If it ain't broken, why fix it? Best wishes :)

[napilopez]

This is a very interesting video! While I am of the SingingSuccess school of thought, which is similar, but also quite different than SLS, I do respect the CVT teachings very much.

I don't think we'll ever agree on larynx issues though XD. Well, I don't know about SLS, but SS doesn't completely dismiss high larynx sounds, but simply uses a neutral larynx as a foundation. SS sounds focus mostly on what I believe you guys would call a curbing, which makes sense since curbing encompasses all range

[MatiKase]

Cool!

[goldchocobo333]

With that being said, I am still trying to obtain the same powerful "projection" as I have with the classical mode of singing. The key is to NOT raise your larynx beyond an acceptable range - trust me, one year of doing that RUINED my voice! The immense tension was awful - it was like hitting a brick wall halfway up my 3rd octave... I had a constricted larynx.

Anyway, there are advantages to both, and at the end of the day, aren't THAT much different to cause so much dissent.

Happy singing!

[goldchocobo333]

Beautiful work in this video, its REALLY helping me get that gravel tone.

I need to say something regarding classical training vs SLS here, since there's so much fighting between the two...

Now I've formally trained classical for 4 years, and completely blew my voice out due to HIGH LARYNX! I then trained SLS, regained my voice, and added 2 octaves to my "chest" or "middle" voice. I went from 2.5 octave range (not including false) to 4.5 octave range.

[hfneerd]

Hi goldchocobo333.

Thanks very much for your kind words :)

I must disagree regarding the larynx though. A higher larynx will make your sound color "lighter", but I have never met a singer who had damaged his/hers voice by too high larynx. I have met many singers with trouble caused by too low larynx. What your teacher calls "dangerous high larynx", might in reality be something else. My point of view on this specific subject is shared by most voice professionals in Europe. Best wishes :) Henrik

[goldchocobo333]

Well you have now met someone who has damaged his voice from a high larynx - and I still suffer pain from it. It is not hoarseness, dryness of throat, a burn or tickle, or anything of that more common sort. It is the supporting muscles in and around my larynx have swelled and bruised. The sensation is like that of my throat "falling out" of my neck - like my larynx is being pulled down unwillingly, with the sensation increasing whenever I raise my larynx beyond reasonable limits.

[goldchocobo333]

Now I mean no disrespect whatsoever, and I do respect your opinion in the matter. The raised larynx position I utilized that damaged my throat was an EXTREME CASE; not like that of a normal high larynx intended to give the voice a nice lighter tone.

I will however I will be so bold as to say that if someone is raising their larynx quite high, combined with more air pressure (giving a high, upfront, almost shouty tone), they will eventually start straining their larynx muscles.

[hfneerd]

Different people have different points of view, and the only way we get better is to discuss and exchange experience and knowledge. That is showing respect in my opinion :) I still don't think your symptoms is caused by too high larynx. I know that some voice methods teach that too high larynx is bad for the voice, but from a CVT point of view, that is not the case. I have met many singers, shouting all day long with extreme high larynxes without any problems :)

[hfneerd]

.... and it is MUCH easier, and safer for the voice, to make distortion with a higher positioned larynx.

Best wishes :) Henrik

[Darkhopeproyect]

Hi Henrik! I've tried to do distortion and i've had to stop because i was hurting my throat. I have to learn the correct way but I'm from Spain and I don't know where I can teach this. Can you give me some ideas or tips to not hurt my throat? Thanks for ur help! seems to me a fascinating technique.

[videosfromCVI]

@Darkhopeproyect

Thanks for your kind words. You can:

1) Buy Cathrine Sadolins book "Complete Vocal Technique" with step-by-step guides how to do distortion and much more.

2) Book a skype lesson at Complete Vocal Institute, or come to Copenhagen for a face to face lesson, or...

3) sign up at one of the many courses offered.

4) Find an Authorized CVT Teacher by visiting the Complete Vocal Institute website under 'Education and courses' and 'Find a teacher'

:) Henrik

[Darkhopeproyect]

thanks henrik! see u soon!

[Aarondefyinggravity]

This method isnt really that safe and by that i mean i think that the way she teaches is alright, however she is creating different sounds that are quite questionable! try the Estill method znd i would imagine that in Distortion the muscles in the neck and torso are anchored, the tongue raised and the pharynx closed!

[hfneerd]

Why are you writing this? Do you have a question to the video? Or do you have any arguments to support your point of view, so we can have a possible fruitful debate. I mean "Vocal nodes, maximum 1 performance a week"??? It is easy to write such a statement, but it has no connection to any professional singers reality I know of. Mercury sounded great, even when sick, and made more demanding concerts than most will ever dream of.

:) Henrik

[RocktheStageNYC]

if you are an SLS singer than you are using the same muscles from speech for singing. I am NOT an SLS practioner - I am Rock & metal vocalist and I do not sing at speech level. its a hellavu lot louder and more aggressive bringing in pharyngeal and more aggressive laryngeal tilting. Something SLS does not teach.

[Michellevca]

oh hey, and all you guys check out Angela Gossow from arch enemy.. she's been doing extreme vocals for something like 13 or 14 years (she's 34 and AAMAAZING) and she does it correctly. she doesn't have any problems after a concert, and she does perfectly well on tours (in which the shows are performed restlessly one night after another). she takes care of her voice, she doesn't smoke or drink and etc...

so come on, how can extreme vocal not be healthy done properly? :P

[hfneerd]

Hi Michellevca

Yes, Angela Gossow is a great singer. She is using a lot of 'Grunting', another vocal effect. The effect here is called 'Distortion'.

Best wishes :) Henrik

[RocktheStageNYC]

a lot of people confuse "grunting" or "gutteral" vocal effects with distortion. "Grunting" is for low pitches like death metal. "Distortion" sounds best with higher pitches and can be sung with melody whereas "grunting" cannot.

[Michellevca]

OH MY GOD the teacher is AWESOME

[hfneerd]

Thanks for your kind words :) Henrik

[lukauskis]

started to read her book and it's really clever book, no poses. reading carefully, so far - it is good

[stablelarynx]

These sound are not helathy and they won't become no matter how often you keep repeating that they are! If you have a skillfull ear you can clearly tell that the larynx goes up on that sounds, the cords are overblown with air and the vowels are totally destroyed! All this means unnecessary muscular tension on the vocal cords which in turn can cause serious vocal damage! And by the way, you should try to base your oppinion on facts instead of what CVI tells you!

[hfneerd]

Hi :)

Skillful ear? I have spend numerous hours listening to different distortions. Have you?

1) The larynx goes up on high notes as it should according to all vocal science the last 25 years or so.

2) The vocal cords are not overblown with air. Distortion is not made by the vocal cords, but by the ventricular folds. See endoscope recordings in my other videos.

3) How do you destroy a vowel?

4) I base my opinion on science, experiments and experience. On what do you base yours?

Best wishes :)

[stablelarynx]

1.) If you think that the larynx should go up as you sing higher pitches you should talk to a good ENT who is specialized in diseases of the singing voice. The ENT will explain you that a high larynx is caused by the activity of the so called extransitive muscles around the larynx which are responsilbe f.i. for swalowing chewing or moving the tongue. This muscular activity can cause an edema on the cords and on the long term also vocal nodules.

[hfneerd]

Hi again

I don't claim to have the one and only truth about singing technique. Far from it. But I have spend many years on the subject and I believe I can back my views.

I work regularly with ENTs about voice problems and scientific research. I also meet many ENTs at conferences etc. In 2004 I heard a singing teacher at a voice conference claiming it is harmful for the voice to raise the larynx on higher notes. Nobody agreed, and his argumentation failed completely.

Best wishes :) Henrik

[stablelarynx]

Okay, one last try!

What is unhealthy for the voice in your oppinion?

Do you know what a passagio is?

Can you teach mix?

Do you ever care for your students range or dynamics? All I have seen from CVI so fare is about effects, but there is no video about the actual work on singing without effects f.i. on how to connect head an chest!

[hfneerd]

I know what a passaggio can be, but I have heard so many different definitions, that I don't find the term very useful anymore. It's the same with mix and head and chest etc: there is no clear definition of what the terms means, and too many different definitions. Effects takes up 37 pages out of 272 in the book, and that includes vibrato and fast phrasing, so there is more to CVT :) Take a look, here in German: kjelinfoto(dot)dk/cvtbook/Komp­letteGesangstechnik2009.pdf

Best wishes :) Henrik

[RocktheStageNYC]

You just joined YouTube so I'm not surprised this is all you've seen for CVI. She doesn't have a lot of videos on here - read Catherine's bookor go to her website. Its about a lot more than distortion effects. It covers everything you mention; support, mix, passagio, tonal placement, range, dynamics and effects. Its quite extensive.

Don't judge her on this one video.

[RocktheStageNYC]

Not true - to get this type of distortion you can't have a high larynx. The throat has to be open and the larynx somewhat neutral.

Cathrine teaches a variation of a vocal trill - which is vibrating the soft palette, with a little pharyngeal contraction to create the distortion.

Over blowing the cords is NOT involved here. That's the way amateurs do it and how you are perceiving she is doing it. Not so. What you describe is the complete opposite of what she is teaching here.

[TheSingingTeacher]

That sound is most certainly NOT healthy- if a singer uses their voice like that on a regular basis they WILL cause damage to the vocal folds.

[hfneerd]

Hi TheSingingteacher

Before writing something so wrong, why don't you read the discussions below, and take a look at my other videos? People has been singing with distortion at least since the technology to make recordings were invented, and many of them has done so for a whole lifetime.

Sorry for the direct tone, but I'm getting a little tired of these unsubstantiated comments. Vocal technique has developed, and I will recommend you and other singing teachers to develop as well.

Best wishes :)

[RocktheStageNYC]

There's is nothing unhealthy about that sound and you don't really damage your cords - fatigue them is more likely.

Distortion (if done right) is produced by vibrating the soft palette so the sound is up and away for the folds. A vocal trill so to speak with A LOT of support. That way there is no glottal attacks or damage to the cords.

[hfneerd]

Hi RocktheStageNYC

Just some clarification: This Distortion is made by the ventricular folds (false folds), not the soft palate. For 90% of singers it is easier in the beginning to find the the distortion with a high positioned larynx. Distortion doesn't cause fatigue if done correctly, and many singers can do it hour after hour without any problems. Glottal attacks are involved, but are just beginnings of notes and not harmful at all. I don't know 'vocal trill', but this is CVT - Distortion :)

[hfneerd]

.... and thanks for your interest :) Henrik

[RocktheStageNYC]

I was taught to trill the soft palate to produce distortion - like how a cat purrs or Chewbacca from Star Wars sounds. Its like gargling without water. I can do this for hours because I'm not involving the cords much to produce the sound. Jaime Vendera teaches this method.

I'm not happy about doing anything that involves glottal attacks but I'll give this technique a try myself and see how it feels.

[RocktheStageNYC]

I bought the CVT book and have all the examples and exercises. What a fantastic book and method.

I'm running through all the effects now. Not easy and challenging = I like that!

[bssb1979]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but that just DOES NOT sound right.

[hfneerd]

Hi bssb1979.

What is right and what is wrong in music? Taste is individual. If you are not using distortion in your own singing, there is absolutely no reason to learn it - endless you want to pass it on as a teacher that is :)

However many singers does use distortion and other effects, and in many different styles of music. As singing teachers we see ourselves as servants for singers, and it is our job to help performing whatever sound a singer wants in a healthy way.

Best wishes :) Henrik

[bssb1979]

Uhm...is that...healthy?

[hfneerd]

Let me put it this way: what you hear in the video is not unhealthy :)

All sounds can be produced in a healthy way, and will then not harm the voice. Equally all sounds can be made in an unhealthy way, and might then harm your voice. With all sounds I mean ALL sounds, distortion, classical singing, throat singing, growl, pianissimo thinnings in the high part of the voice, screaming, etc, etc, etc...

Best wishes :) Henrik

[bssb1979]

Just another truism.

The question is how can you be so sure that what we saw and heard in the video is absolutely healthy, safe and will not damage the vocal cords?

[hfneerd]

Hi again bssb1979

If what I wrote before is a truism to you, why do you then think that distortion might be more damaging to the voice than other sounds? (which is what I guess is the reason for your skepticism?).

The reason I know that what is on the video doesn't damage the vocal cords, is that the singer didn't get hoarse afterwords. Another reason is that I have the same experience from thousands of other singers. And everybody at CVI can make distortion :)

Best wishes :) Henrik

[Niki0808]

and I mean that it's hard for the person taking the lesson, not the person giving the lesson of course :P

[Niki0808]

wow. takes a lot of balls to have a vocal lesson in front of an audience!

[hfneerd]

Hi Niki0808.

You are right that it takes a certain kind of atmosphere to use group teaching in a positive way. The teacher needs to be very aware of how intimidating the situation can be for the singer. At CVI we almost solely use group teaching, because there are so many advantages, and everybody loves it. And the most important thing: We learn from being taught directly, but learn even more from watching other singers in session. A combination is the perfect way.

Best wishes :) Henrik

[Dioptrickz]

Cool video.... man Cathrine could really sing the shit out of most metal singers these days, its like a roar!

Interesting to see how that girl improved as well, although her singing can be very very nasal at times

[hfneerd]

Hi there

I will encourage all to stay on topic. Please avoid the endless discussions that has nothing, or very little, to do with this particular video clip.

Shown here is the effect 'Distortion' which is a part of 'Complete Vocal Technique' (CVT). Even though no other method to my knowledge offers teaching in Distortion, neither I or Cathrine claim that CVT is the only way to teach. Our firm believe is that singers should try out different methods and decide what they like best.

:) Henrik

[RocktheStageNYC]

Seth Riggs (SLS founder) said he started teaching pop singers because there's no money in teaching opera singers (he was teaching Bel Canto to opera singers originally).

Similar perhaps but only on one aspect - connecting or bridging chest & head registers. SLS doesn't teach reinforced falsetto, covered sound, 'Dans le masque' i.e. frontal or forward placement and projection.

SLS and Bel Canto have many significant differences.

[viv3147]

again your wrong. Proper breathing is done without strain. When an average person takes a breathe, there are most likely to lift their shoulders and strain their chests and neck. This cuts off air supply, breathing from the lower abdomen gives a free full supported breathe of air. This isnt only useful for singing, its useful for acting, relaxing, sports, etc.

[viv3147]

How can you talk down on bel canto its real singing. Its the most purest and healthist way to use the voice. Those who unlock the voice through bel canto and experience different ranges of style can more or less sing anything. Technique is the stepping stone ( i geuss next to talent and range) and then you build off from there with style. If you are a teacher saying bel canto is a lie, you are a pretty lousy teacher

[RocktheStageNYC]

I never said Bel Canto is a lie - "GiefarN" said classical techniques of vocalizing are lies that have been passed down for 400 years. I was being sarcastic in agreeing with this stupid comment of his.. He's been indoctrinated into the Cult of SLS.

Bel Canto is a fantastic technique - but its not the ONLY technique. I teach Rock & Pop singers so Bel Canto doesn't figure into my pedagogy much. But I do incorporate teaching methods from every approach - Bel Canto, SLS, Classical and Modern.

[RocktheStageNYC]

Yes that's right - classical singing has been a big lie for 400 years. Caruso and Pavarotti, Sutherland and Horne continued the lie correct?

Lets just face it - you have been conditioned by your SLS instructor to believe that everything but the SLS way of singing is a lie.

This is why I call SLS believers "Cultists". You're like Scientologists in your thinking.

I have studied SLS and do use some of it in my teachings, but its not the be-all-end-all of singing technique. Open your mind.

[RocktheStageNYC]

My point exactly. Since you're not a teacher than you don't understand the mistakes 99% of all singers make. You're an SLS practicioner who has the SLS dogma taught to you every week. I am not so narrow minded in my approach the singing as SLS singers are.

Lots of singers have bad habits and breathing from the chest is the most common. Getting people back to the right way to breath for powerful singing doesn't take much - maybe 2 lessons.

[RocktheStageNYC]

you obviously don't teach inexperienced singers - or anyone for that matter. You have NO IDEA how many people come to me and don't know how to breathe "down and low". Simply put: SLS is for singers who don't feel a need to project, classical training approaches are for Rock & Metal singers. We will never agree - period. You are an SLS "cultist" and will never realize that SLS has taken singing away from what its supposed to be - something other than speech.

[RocktheStageNYC]

I studied SLS and had personal vocal sessions with Brett Manning several years ago. Liprolls / tongue rolls teach you to bridge without strain but even they need diaphragm/breath support. Especially the complicated liproll scales in "Singing Success". To do liprolls correctly for long scales you must control the airflow / airlfow = breath support. If you havent spent any time on breath support you're missing the KEY ingredient of healthy vocal technique. I'm sure Brett and Seth would agree.

[RocktheStageNYC]

Youtube search for Vendera shattering glass. In one of them he says he can sing up to 120db to break crystal goblets. He is the first documented human to break glass by voice alone. Babies can scream at 110db-120db as well.

Reinforced falsetto does not cause strain if done properly. Frankie Valli has been doing it for 40 years. Ian Gillan for 30 years.

Volume is achieved through resonance and support/airflow. None of that should hurt if done properly. Caruso is a prime example.

[RocktheStageNYC]

Even in SLS you have to support certain things to achieve adducted notes, reinforced faletto etc. There no such thing as unsupported singing.

[RocktheStageNYC]

Sure SLS can be applied to any singing genre but it was "invented" as a way to teach pop singers. The greatest singers in Rock and Metal are not SLS singers. They are classically trained. Dio, Halford, Dickinson. Gillan, Plant, Even guys like Jon Bon Jovi, Steve Perry, Steve Tyler, Freddie Mercury were not SLS. If SLS is what you like fine, but its not the "be all end all" of vocal technique. There's a reason classical voice training has been around 400 years - because it works.

[RocktheStageNYC]

This is right out of the SLS handbook. If singing was the same as speech then why do we have to learn the "proper" way to sing? Because we have to train the proper muscles to sing. You don't have to learn how to use the muscles used in speech do you? Pavarotti was not SLS neither was Caruso. Neither is Bruce Dickinson or Ronnie James Dio. If you want to sing Michael Jackson then SLS is for you. Some of us sing Rock and Metal and SLS ain't for that. You gotta think outside the Seth Riggs box.

[RocktheStageNYC]

Vocal cord pressure does NOT increase with volume. Support & resonance increase with volume. If you're technique is correct there is little or no pressure in loud or high notes. Especially if you're using reinforced falsetto or adducted head voice. If there's pressure or tighness, you're doing it wrong. You think Pavarotti or Caruso has pressure in their cords when belting out high C's. I think not. Go ask Jamie Vendera if singing at 120db while shattering glass hurts his cords.

[RocktheStageNYC]

you are an idiot. I guess you missed the part that I am vocal teacher who has studied singing technique for 10 years. When I said "designed for speech" I meant all forms of communication. The human vocal cords did not evolve with singing in mind. You've swallowed the SLS kool-aid. This discussion was about distortion and if its harmful. The answer is NO. There are countless examples of people who sing this way night after night for decades with no ill effect. To say otherwise is just ignorant.

[RocktheStageNYC]

I apologize. I shouldn't call you an idiot. Thats unprofessional of me as a fellow singer and as a teacher.

You've just been indoctrinated with the SLS way of thinking and I have not.

[RocktheStageNYC]

"The voice does exactly the same when you sing as when you speak." - absolutely untrue. You use different muscles in speech then in singing. Its a myth that singing is elongated speech. Our vocal cord were not physically designed for singing - they were designed for speech. Seth Riggs himself was not against distortion, just against LOUD distortion that hurts your cords. What she is teaching here does NOT hurt your cords if done properly. People like Bryan Adams does it all night long.

[RocktheStageNYC]

Michael doesn't a genre of music that requires this type of vocal effect and SLS technique can actually be dangerous in some ways. The human singing voice is made to be louder than speech.

[DanteLeblanc]

I came here looking for Deathcore distortion effects for guitars....not a screaming blonde bitch. Fuck..my ears....

[RocktheStageNYC]

it says "extreme vocal" in the title. what was the confusion?

[DanteLeblanc]

There was none. I was just being a dick.

I do not understand these kind of vocals. Then again, I bet these people cannot comprehend why one would do gutteral screams in metal, and call it musical.

What is the purpous of this stuff? You teach THIS as a career?

[flaze3]

that was pretty awesome--not the sound per se, but the way it was produced with minimum abrasion to the vocal cords :)

[vZamfir]

i would do anything to go study there :(

[rv48433]

Wonderful teacher!

The student had great enthusiasm but I don't like the quality of her voice. It's very bright, and this song calls for some soul.

It was really white.

Awesome video!

[copaceticmedia]

This is so interesting. Thanks so much for posting it x

[hfneerd]

Hi PhreeSoul. I totally agree. Stop the unreasonable fear and unnecessary limitations and set the voice free. This is the way I se it :)

[opiekat138]

Yeah you say that, but if you heard death metal growling, you'd be running scared.

[hfneerd]

:o) You might have a point there. On the other hand it can be wise to face our fears once in a while, and that could be an explanation while I'm still around in this field even though I've heard plenty of death metal growl :)

[opiekat138]

yeah but i just find it stupid that you call this extreme and theres so much more extreme shit out there.

[hfneerd]

Hi portugal237 & AsSomeday... You have no reason to fear these techniques, they are thoroughly tested during 20 years of work. Since 05 more than 500 singers has completed a longer CVI course, and they can all make a healthy distortion. Not all use this effect because the sound does not fit their musical choice, and that is absolutely ok. Just as there is no reason you should train it if you don't like it. But because you don't like the sound doesn't mean it is against nature or unhealthy :)

[PhreeSoul]

I have to disagree.

1; countless rock singers have been using these effects for years, and kept on singing whole carreers without loosing their voices. That alone is proof enough that it IS possible to sing like this without harming the voice.

2; using your body while you sing is not harmful. Just look at the operas or musicals, where they have to sing in strange positions or while they dance.

3; Listen how the teacher constantly asks the singer: does that feel ok? It shows great respect.

[AsSomedayItMayHappen]

I agree that this is totally disrespecting the human body. This idea that "all sounds can be made in a healthy way" is ridiculous. This was frightening.

[digitalcatgirl]

damn i would really like to see catherine sadolin singning in a heavy metal band hahahaha i really mean it! (Ô_Ô) that'd be so awesome!! XD it would be an instant hit!

[RickiKeith]

The teachers voice is shredded... the students will soon follow. She is stretching the cords into the area where the passaggio should have already occurred.Her production as she goes higher is thin, breathy and weak. This is awful I would NEVER condone this as the outcome would be "loss of range" and voice - NOT gain.

[hfneerd]

Hi RickiKeith. All you are describing in the slantering of this technique is your own taste. If you don't like the sound then don't use it, but don't be afraid of the sound. All sounds can be made in a healthy way. One fact in your posts can be discussed: your false statement that Dio hasn't been singing since the 80's. This is not true; 27 concerts in 2008, and 97 in 2007 acc to his website. I have been at several of his concerts since 2000 and he sounds great! Best wishes :) Henrik

[RocktheStageNYC]

Bravo. RickiKeith is a SLS kool-aid drinker.

[RickiKeith]

This is just "yelling on pitch". THIS is the stuff that produce vocal nodules ans permanently damage the cords, Ronnie James Dio? Has not sang since the eighties! Where is your head at man! And that screeching sounds like cats fighting! ha ha! Where is the vocal dynamic in that? What Grammy winners employ this trash? I would not recommend this to anyone serious about singing.

[kewnoe]

I saw Dio gig few years ago, he was awesome.

[RocktheStageNYC]

exactly. I saw him on the Heaven & Hell tour in '07 and although his voice is a little dark because of age but he still sounds amazing.

[RocktheStageNYC]

Ricki as usual your opinion is slanted on what you LIKE to sing. There are others that do this well and do it night after night without damage. Dio has ben singing this way since the early 70's, still doing it today and the next Heaven & Hell album out soon. You're an SLS kool-aid drinker.

[GoddessNeKaRe]

This technique is great! I wish i could have listened to it when i attempted to do AC/DC songs one or two years ago jajaja, i learned in the worse possible way, but i found the way of doing it without getting any wrong result. The power and the might in that technique is amazing. I have a lot to learn and its great you uploaded this video, ill keep searching...And she has a fun and interesting way of teaching it ...She rocks Thanks for sharing this! Greetings form Argentina. NeKaRe

[PopsicleHaley]

This was absolutely amazing! Seems like it would hurt my voice to do it, but I know that's just because I don't know the training behind it! I'd love to put it to use. She sounded great at the end.

[thesingingcoach]

Hi folks..

Can someone please definitively explain whats happening here anatomically when we do this? Massive asymmetric vibration?

I'm busy as hell coaching, get great results with my clients and am always looking for new things. For the life of me though, if I tried that, my voice would be shot within 5 minutes so wouldn't even attempt to coach someone into it.

Kind regards

Paul

[hfneerd]

Hi Paul. Take a look at my other videos with Julian McGlashan with endoscopy footage from some studies we have done on the extreme vocal effects. Thanks for your interest. Bets wishes :) Henrik

[Jeedan]

this style seems to have gone out of fashion in pop recently, if you listen to blues and soul right through to micheal jackson records those guys used to tear it up. Now a little grit is considered not "pretty" enough for pop and left to the metalheads.

I miss it.

[Langealot]

Such passionate singing, people don't understand why people love this type of vocals. I think its simply amazing that a voice can make sounds like this.

[hfneerd]

Dear distediste

Don't be so afraid for these sounds. If you don't like them or for some other reason don't want to use them in your singing, there is absolutely no reason to train them. However if done correctly they do no harm at all to the voice (see my other videos). I have 17 years of experience in working with this, and have seen thousands of singers learning distortion without any problems. And many has been singing like this for more than 17 years. Best wishes :) Henrik

[cbrown6660]

I'm sorry, I am going to have to agree with distediste. This is simply horrible.

[distediste]

thanks cbrown6660 I am happy that someone can hear that horrible thing..

I am very sorry that also people are giving money to these things..Singing doesn't mean screaming..There are many good voices in the world but they are disappearing with these kind of technics.

[RocktheStageNYC]

this is a vocal 'EFFECT" - Catherine is not teaching her to sing this way all the time but to be able to use where he can portray a certain emotion. "Distortion" is one of many vocal tools, like whistle tones or a vocal fry. I agree that "singing doesn't mean screaming" but its not all about Bel Canto either - especially outside the classical genre. This is purely a vocal technique - one of many. There are many singers doing this for decades with no ill effects on their voices.

[djeikop]

I find this technique very interesting! Do you know if there are any teachers of this singing program in Norway? Preferably someone in the capital, Oslo?

[hfneerd]

Hi Djeikop. There are several authorised CVT teachers in Oslo. Call the office at Complete Vocal Institute at +45 3332 7724, and get some contact info. Thanks for your interest. Best wishes :) Henrik

[basv1ld]

distediste,

And what do you base that on??

[distediste]

I just want to say that this is all baaadd!!!

First of all you have to learn how your voice will be healty in the future.I can hear and see that in that classroom(what ever you told to that shit!!)nothing happens about technic.

If you want to sing only 2 years(in that technic its impossible)its ok,then sing like this.But if you want to sing years and years beautifully that is not the right thing you can do.

[quathar]

Interesting distediste, so how about all of the thousands of singers in the world who have been using distortion in their voice for their entire career and still can?

[AMiGR667]

Tell that to Ronnie James Dio, who has been using this technique for 40 years. His voice has only started seriously changing after he hit 60something (isn't he 65 now?).

[AMiGR667]

To clarify, I'm not saying that it's always good. If you do it wrong and force your voice, you're screwed. The whole point is that the actual "effects", should be applied without forcing excessive air through your vocal cords. Most people tend to do it wrong, especially when they're imitating others without having a fully developed technical foundation.

[distediste]

iiiigggghhhh aaaaaaaaagoooooooddaaaaaaaaaaa­aohhh my gooooooddddddd:(

damage your voice damage them:)

one day you will have your vocal cords in your hand:))

[Panserbjorn]

I really, really want to learn how to do this. Is there any workable way that actually and won't have me do anything screwed up that doesn't involve finding a teacher? Just in case I can save my cash for something else, like food. =)

[listenlula]

What I'm trying to say is that this is just great!! I love her way of teaching, and wish I could study with someone like that. I'm definately going to look into her stuff.

[hfneerd]

Thanks for your kind words! I agree with you that many classical teachers don't know much about other styles, and I think this is partly because they have learned that non-classical singing sounds "wrong", and maybe even that it is harmful for the voice. But this is changing now. All teachers educated at CVI can teach and demonstrate all sounds the human voice can make, so I know of several classical teachers who can teach distortion an other effects. Best wishes :) Henrik

[listenlula]

My dad never wanted me to do classical training because he was sure they would "ruin my musicality". I'm not sure if he's right, but I would definately choose my daughter or my son's teacher with a lot of care. I would have loved to have done more voice training, but for me the problem with classically trained teachers has been that most of them haven't a) known anything about other styles, and b) haven't been able to combine technique with improvisation etc. Therefore I've been sceptical...

[aulavocal]

aprenda como ferrar a sua voz em uma aula

[nessundorma111]

and anybody can call it vocal technique?

unless you wanna sound distorted for the rest of your vocal life-go ahead-use it.

for me that's anti vocal and ani anything beautiful I learnt

[hfneerd]

Don't mistake taste for technique. You might not like the sound, but that doesn't make it harmful for the voice. At CVI about 80 of the 200 singers are in training to become CVT Teachers, and they all learn to do the distortion as (a small) part of their training. Distortion is not harmful for the voice if done correctly. Just as classical singing is not harmful for the voice if done correctly. All sounds can be made in a healthy, or unhealthy, way. See my other videos for more info :) Henrik

[nessundorma111]

Classical singers, when properly trained, don't sing on the vocal chords but with resonance, this type of singing is more on the throat therefore makes greater impact on the chords tention-may be the suggestion to distort ones voice comes from the actual style(Joplin) and since singers use this style they better learn how to do it in less harmfull way, but from this class I heard only trouble, sorry

[hfneerd]

Well, your opinion can be as good as anybody's. I don't agree with you, but I guess we have the same love for music though :) Henrik

[nessundorma111]

Thanks for being so democratic:)

I think young students, no matter what style they are gonna sing eventualy, fist, should go through classical training and only later when they can control their voicescan do what ever they like. I like Joplin but I would never suggest to learn from that type of singing unless you want to do it for the rest of your vocal life which is not going to be long, for that I'm absolutly, 100% sure,

but I guess it's just my modest opinion:)

[nessundorma111]

One last thing:

Almost(90%) of great instrumentalists(Jazz or Rock) went through serious classical training(O.Peterson n Herbie Hancock-piano,W.Marsalis-trump­et Jimmy Page-guitar etc...) recognize the tremendous benefits from Classical training. Non classical vocalists almost never took Cl.Training for whatever reason(there are exception though), this is a prejudice that soon is going to be changed like in a case of instrumentalists, I hope:)

[hfneerd]

I don't agree that you need to take classical lessons to sing other styles. Classical music was, and by many still is, considered the 'high art' (in Europe and USA at least). This is one reason why classical for many years has been the dominant musical style taught in the institutions of higher education and thereby considered the 'correct' way. The teachers disliked, or didn't know how to train, other styles/ sounds and considered them 'incorrect' and in many cases even harmful for the voice...

[hfneerd]

... Today we have well laid-out techniques for all sounds the human voice can make, and it is not necessarily helpful for non-classical singers to take classical lessons. The overall principles for the use of the voice (support etc) is the same for all styles of music, but unfortunately these principles are not described very clearly in most classical voice training, and therefore it can be hard to compare with the training of other instruments...

[hfneerd]

... A fun thing is that in some cases even highly educated classical singers experience improvements in their classical technique by singing other styles, because it is a way to unlearn 'bad habits' (for example too low positioned larynx) taught by unclear classical training. For in depth singing technique discussions I recommend Complete Vocal Institutes online vocal technique forum. Thanks for your input! Best wishes :) Henrik

[hfneerd]

I just reread my posts above, and realize that one could get the impression that I have no respect for classical singing teachers. I just want to make absolutely clear that this is not the case. I have met many highly skilled classical singers and teachers. In my previous posts I am not talking about 'every single classical teacher in the whole world', but merely describing the development of teaching singing in general as I see it. Best wishes :) Henrik

[nessundorma111]

I don't mean that all classical teachers are great. Vocal technique is a mistery to a certain degree. In order for us to argue, we have to define technique otherwise we will be talking on different subject matters.

It's very well known that pop and other styles are using "technique" of a style that doen't neccesarily improve any resonance or range and make some singers, before they know it, to quit the stage. Classical tech. also teaches a certain style, but it also improves resonance regardles

[hfneerd]

I agree that no matter the style there are good and bad teachers. I don't agree that classical technique is better to improve range, and regarding resonance this is a matter of musical taste. The resonance/ timbre wanted in classical singing is not necessarily the same wanted in other styles. When it comes to 'quitting the stage' there is no reason to believe that classical singing is less straining than other styles. With proper technique ALL sounds can be done in a healthy way. Best wishes :)

[hfneerd]

... she is indeed :) Henrik

[matsou10]

that's really cool

[hfneerd]

Hi everyone

Thanks for your nice comments - glad you like it. The good thing is that it is not that hard to learn distortion. Most trained singers get the hang of it in 10-30 minutes like in Suvi's case, but some has to spend a few weeks to get it. Then it can take some training to master it and use it musically.

Best wishes :) Henrik

[livingdeadrebel]

i LOVE it!

[cbrown6660]

hmm

[mixedroses]

me too!! oh wow

[fleetowhere]

WOw....I like it!!!

Want to learn it!!!! WHOOOAAAA