Growling is Growling for beginners: how to learn? Growling and screaming - the difference

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Music itself has been a constant companion of man for many millennia. The age of the first found instruments (flutes made of animal bones) is tens of thousands of years. Probably, the craving for a melody, sounds that awaken emotions and an ordered rhythm is inherent in a person at the genetic level. However, as in many other highly developed animals. Today we will dive deeper into the ocean of music: we will find out what growling is. Who first began to sing in this manner? Can she learn? What is the difference between screaming and growling? These questions are also answered in this publication.

Music

In recent decades, a huge number of new genres have appeared among musical directions. Not all of them became popular. But most of them are united by such a feature as informality. It can be considered a bright sign of the times. Quite difficult to perceive, but relatively soft classical instrumental music is no longer the basis and mainstream of modern culture. Now it's rock, punk rock, metal and their varieties. In these directions, there are quite a few different styles of vocals. One of them is growling. What it is? What is its difference from other similar styles of singing? Can it be learned?

Definition

Growl, or growling, is one of the methods of singing, which is carried out with the "splitting" of the vocal cords, resulting in a kind of "growl". Of course, they use it only in those styles of music where such a vocal effect is appropriate. For example, in grindcore, deathcore, black and doom metal. And although this way of using your voice has been known for a long time, it has gained particular popularity in recent years. Growling is a technique that many rock and metal bands use as an experiment. True, it is not always successful. Simply put, this is a rough and aggressive "growl", which is not loved by all fans of heavy styles of music. With what it is, we figured it out. Now let's briefly tell the story of the emergence of this vocal technique.

History

For the first time in 1982, the band Hellhammer delighted their fans with this style of singing. Later, something similar could be found in a number of American bands performing in the genre of gothic, doom and death metal. In the last two, one can increasingly find a kind of cocktail of rough male growling and pure high female vocals. This combination is the most popular. Although growling is a technique that in our time can be heard in female performance. True, quite rarely, due to the peculiarities of the anatomy of the speech apparatus. Therefore, women are more likely to use another "aggressive" way of singing calledscreaming.

If we talk about such varieties of metal as black and death metal, then sometimes there are virtuosos who use a peculiar combination of screaming and growling. Also, this style is often used as an addition to other aggressive and extreme methods of singing and playing musical instruments. Heavy, low, growling bass, behind which it is sometimes difficult to make out the words - this is exactly what growling is. How to learn it, we will consider a little lower. But first, for a proper understanding of the subject, let's take a closer look at the growling technique.

Technique

If we talk about the scientific definition, then growling can be called diaphragmatic bass. Such a vocal technique basically contains the extraction of sounds on a support from the diaphragm during a strong exhalation and a further process of splitting the vocal cords. It is the combination of all this that creates the effect of a rough and terrible growl. And by the way, growling and screaming are often confused. There is definitely a difference between them. So, screaming is a very high-pitched wheezing scream, the technique of which also uses the method of splitting the vocal cords. But very often vocalists use it incorrectly. The result is the usual high-pitched screech. Well, what is growling, we already know.

Safety

Also, we must not forget that everyone who starts to practice screaming has a sore throat at first. And sometimes very strong. True, over time, the pain disappears. The main thing is to fixperformance technique. But, if the discomfort persists after a long time, this is a sure sign that you are singing incorrectly. You also need to monitor your breathing - if it is set incorrectly, severe dizziness will definitely occur as a result of hyperventilation of the lungs. As for the negative impact of this vocal technique on the voice as a whole, there is no evidence of this fact, since with proper screaming, the vocal cords practically do not participate in sound generation.

Growling: how to learn?

Almost everyone can learn this vocal technique. And for this it is not at all necessary by nature to have a low and rough voice. But, of course, if there is one, then growling with it will be much easier. And the sound will turn out more saturated and juicy. Also, for the period of training, cold drinks should be excluded from the diet, as well as too hot.

And it's important to remember that despite the fact that you can find a lot of videos and articles with the title "Growling for beginners", a really good and safe technique for ligaments can only be obtained by practicing with someone who already has this skill. But still, we will consider one of the most popular methods:

1. First you need to learn the technique of regular vibrating vocals. Suitable for this style of both regular and progressive rock or one of the varieties of metal. At this stage, it is most important to learn to control breathing, to maintain a balance between the tension of the vocal cords and the diaphragm. If you try to "roar" preciselybundles, then it definitely won’t end with anything good. Mostly a diaphragm should be used to push air out. And the ligaments themselves should be left relaxed.
2. Before and after training, it is advisable to drink something warm. You can also do this between songs. And it's best to avoid alcohol and milk.
3. You always have to "warm up". You should not try to growl without a vocal and partly even a general warm-up. You can use for this purpose articulation gymnastics, Strelnikova's breathing technique, or exercises of other systems developed for vocalists.
4. Take a deep breath, and then push some of the air out of your lungs, tightening your tonsils and throat. This should be done at the same time, but without strong tension. You should try to make a guttural and high sound, gradually lowering the key, returning to the usual style of singing, and then vice versa.
5. Imagine that a powerful column of air passes from the diaphragm through the chest and palate. In this case, the larynx must be kept open and relaxed. This technique will greatly improve the already acquired growling skills and make them melodic.
6. The air must be pushed with the stomach. Ideally, growling is when all the power of singing should come solely from the diaphragm. The same is true for opera singers. This is helped by a straight back and relaxed muscles around the spinal column. Then inhale deeply and exhale powerfully, letting out a growl with your vocal cords open.

Conclusion

And most importantly - do not be sad ifgrowling fails. This skill comes with time. You need to train carefully. In addition, each singer uses his own style. It just needs to be found. Listening to professional growling during training will also be a good help - since our body is familiar with a kind of empathy, the body will try to assume the same position that is characteristic of the singing “nearby”. This, together with direct comparison of sounds and their adoption, can greatly facilitate the task. So, now we know how to learn this technique and what it takes. In addition, we answered the question of how screaming and growling differ from each other.