AHHH!!!! My band is having problems!!!!

IbanezroadstarII · #1 05-11-2005, 05:04 PM

hey,

Im finally in a new band... but we're having issues! We are a metal band with REALLY agressive vocals. Think Children Of bodom, In flames, Strapping young lad vocals... now hes doing really good!!!.... but... the day after pracitse his voice will be shot!!! we had 2 rehersals yesterday and by today he could barley talk! whats he doing wrong? what can he do to heal it? advice? We're really desperate... his he singing too loud? is this normal for this kind of metal? My friend said to eat lots of cheese and apple juice? I dont think I have time to stop and buy that voice stray

Thanks!
BTW the reason we're playing so much is we have a big gig on the 17th at the school!

johliatay · #2 05-11-2005, 05:40 PM

Unfortunately it sounds like they are not in their vocal range. They will always have problems with recovery whenever they push their voice to hard or to far outside their range. Some times water with lemon in it can sooth the vocal chords, but they should really find their comfort zone and see how that works. Also work on how loud they sing. Drop it down a little bit and you will save stress on your vocal chords.

Dr. Funkenstein · #3 05-12-2005, 06:07 AM

I would worry about this right now, as your vocalist could do serious damage in the long term. Aggresive vocals or not, it may help to get some professional vocal coaching in order to learn how to use the voice properly. Alternatively, Alexander Technique lessons can help. I study Alexander Technique quite seriously, and a vocalist I worked with went for a series of professional vocal lessons a while back - we compared notes and much of the theory is the same in both. FM Alexander created this technique after losing his own voice as a result of overperforming on stage.

Whatever you do, tell your vocalist not to ignore the problem, as it'll be harder to fix a few years down the line than it is now. It can be overcome but may require a different approach to screaming into the mic!

Regards,

Dave

whatshisname · #4 05-12-2005, 08:57 AM

Let me get this straight. The guy spends hours screaming at the top of his lungs, and then wonders why his voice is shot the next day...

The only response I can give is... DUH!

Dr. Funkenstein · #5 05-12-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatshisname

Let me get this straight. The guy spends hours screaming at the top of his lungs, and then wonders why his voice is shot the next day...

The only response I can give is... DUH!

Not very helpful though. There's more than one way to scream into a mic.

Dave

Shaker3 · #6 05-12-2005, 09:26 AM

Check out a book called Find Your Voice...very helpful. It sounds like your singer is doing the number 1 thing NOT to do. It sounds like he's tensing up his throat/vocal chords.
It sounds like he needs to learn how to breathe properly.

whatshisname · #7 05-12-2005, 09:26 AM

Obviously. I always wondered how people like Phil Anselmo could bark like that day after day, and just keep on going.

Sorry, I just found it funny that someone would wonder why their voice is shot, after attempting to perform like that. I can't possibly be the only one that finds humor in this.

Shaker3 · #8 05-12-2005, 09:27 AM

oops. sorry. The book is called Set Your Voice Free by Roger Love.

**elcid** · #9 05-12-2005, 01:04 PM

Don't feel bad whatshisname, I'm with you on this.

Flobanez · #10 05-12-2005, 01:40 PM

My singer had that same problem only because it was dry and winter time. Still, when he has this problem with his voice being shot, He just consumes alot of water.

gmeanie · #11 05-12-2005, 02:36 PM

I thought people used honey for this problem LOL

Shaker3 · #12 05-12-2005, 02:52 PM

Regarding water:
Room temperature water is best. Cold water constricts the vocal chords and warm water swells them.
Also eating food that have their own water content (for better digestion) helps, like fruits!
Avoid dairy for several hours before singing. Avoid alot of eating for that matter. The more you have to digest the less lubricated your chords will be.

All that aside...if screaming your ass off leaves you without a voice...don't do it!

lyconxero · #13 05-12-2005, 03:21 PM

Hmm...I never even understood how people could keep doing that night after night and not lose their voice. Best I can figure is that you have to push your voice a little bit everyday but not so much as to blow it out (in other words, if you start coughing up blood, then you went a tad bit too far).

Two hands31 · #14 05-12-2005, 06:27 PM

I read an article with the producer of Alexisonfire's latest album, and apparently they kept the vocal room at a specific temperature and humidity to avoid drying out his vocal chords, and gave him lots of rests and water when needed.

But then, this is a guy who over-did it so much that he had to have surgery on his throat.