Cathrine Sadolin teaching extreme vocal effects - distortion

A session with Cathrine Sadolin and singer Suvi Ruotsalainen at a masterclass in Göteborg, Sweden the 10th of September 2007. In 20 minutes Suvi (and an enthusiastic audience of about 50 singers and teachers) learned the basics of this vocal effect. I have here cut the session to 7 minutes.

More info http://completevocalinstitute.com

CVI Copenhagen

Please note: The word BELTING is replaced by EDGE.
The term 'Belting' is used with different meanings by different singing technique methods. To avoid confusion CVT does not use the term 'Belting' anymore. Since mid 2008 CVt has changed the mode name 'Belting' into 'Edge'.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cathrine
• Sadolin
• voice
• singing
• distortion
• belting
• overdrive
• growl
• grunt
• complete
• vocal
• technique
• institute
• effect

[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 :)

[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

[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 :)

[TheJackHarkness]

LOL the younger one sounds like a dwarf

[cpriicorn]

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

[Millarization]

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

[Millarization]

@nicolas870: hideous comment !!

[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.

[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.

[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 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.

[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

[Tyisme100]

how do you do that???

[ZEPHprod]

22 just tryed ...

[almightyad]

Wow. love the teacher's voice.