How is singing metal different from other types of singing?
Well, everybody knows, though. Without a doubt, to sing this music genre, you need power, a meaty low voice, and, of course, the high volume. Furthermore, it would be better if you preferably screamed than sang. Yell your lungs out! Metal is power, brutal force, and suffering. Everyone has to hear it in the vocals! It goes straight from your guts! Only then you remain to be a ‘true metalhead!’ Oh, do you? Well, it may be correct when it comes to ideology. However, when speaking about the anatomy of singing, not that much. And if we analyze how our body produces our voice and timbre, it is a complete falsehood. How can it be? After all, even a child can tell the voice of a pop singer and a rock singer. And also a metal growl, harsh voice, or squeak. Why yes! However, the truth is that all those sounds come from the same basis.
Are all those vocal types only overlays that our vocal box takes?
In general, yes. To explain this, we need to go deep into our vocal box. And to understand how it works. While we sing, there are four main body parts engaged in this process. These are the diaphragm, chest, pharynx (as a part of the throat), and mouth. The crucial elements here are the first two, a diaphragm and chest. Although each of these parts contributes to creating what we call a voice, these two are kind of the ‘singing engine.’ So, everything starts and comes from the diaphragm on the exhalation. We call this stage a ‘proper support.’ It also allows us to control our airstream while we sing. Indeed, everything starts here. Rest is only an addition. Next goes our chest. In singing metal, it adds a distortion as the most muscular place in the entire windpipe. Going further, we get to the throat. Its role, in turn, is to be open and creating the tone. And the last stage is our mouth. It does release the sound and form our voice or scream into words.
The basics that remain the same
You do not need to be a professional vocal coach to note that the initial steps in the scheme below are the same for all singing kinds. No matter if you sing metal, rock, or pop, you have first to master the base. When you learn how to control the diaphragm and chest, the rest will be less demanding. Indeed, all later vocal box activities are a kind of adjustment. Of course, there are some capabilities needed for singing at all. But even if you have an average voice and vocal range, you can perform almost any genre you wish. However, a suitable solution in such a case will be a vocal coach. Why? As spoken before, the basics are the most relevant. Frequently, even the very talented singers acquire destructive singing habits that become detrimental during their later careers. A professional singing teacher can help in this matter, regardless of the genre you sing.
Vocal coach Ron Anderson’s clients say:
Alicia Keys
She has sold over 40 million albums and 35 million singles worldwide and was named by Billboard the top R&B artist of the 2000s decade.
Hayley Williams
American singer-songwriter who is best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and keyboardist of the rock band Paramore.
Tom Cruise
American actor and producer. One of the highest-grossing box office stars of all time. Tom trained with Ron Anderson for his role as Stacee Jaxx and he couldn’t be happier for his transformation.