Vocalists with "soul", rasp, grit... how do you achieve that sound?

For the vocalist, is it something you either have or don't have, or is it a technique that can be learned?

Some vocalists seem to be able to switch from a clean voice to a raspy voice similar to a guitar player kicking on a distortion pedal.

I recently saw an AC/DC tribute band whose vocalist was able to PERFECTLY emulate both Bon Scott and Brian Johnson's vocals, it was truly amazing. How do they do it?

i think you're basically born with it.

Whiskey and tobacco use.



I played in a band with a guy who sang with a growl in his voice all the time.... it almost sounded un-natural.

When I try to put some grit in my vox I end up going hoarse fairly rapidly. So I'm stuck with what I got....

I have to agree with a few others here - a good singer can probably pick up the technique if they knew what it was. Likely to a different degree of success however. I've met a few that can turn the growl (scream) on/off at will - and when asked about it they all say it doesn't strain their voice at all.

The singer that always amazes me in this regard is Jimmy Barnes from Australia. The guy has a 4 1/2 octave range that can be crystal clear from top to bottom, or raspier than Brian Johnson.

For those not familiar with him here is a classic duet with INXS.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN0m5eOpmnU
Jimmy kicks it up a notch on the 2nd verse.

Slugbaby


I think technically-talented singers would be able to turn it on or off. On the other hand, I'd be surprised if one of the AC/DC guys could have crooned smoothly.

According to my vocal teacher, it can really damage your vocal chords and should never be done intentionally.

For the record, i'm almost never able to get that growl. 

Your vocal teacher is incorrect and has not done enough research into this, probably because he/she doesn't personally like rasp.
Obviously Ronnie James Dio, one of the most raspy singers, had done it longer than probably anyone (about 37 years) and never lost his voice or had to have vocal surgery - because he did it "the correct healthy way". He had no training but it must have come naturally. I've read an expert opinion from highly trained vocal coaches who had no exposure to rock / metal at all. They listened to several legendary tracks from Kind Diamond, Bruce Dickinson, Dio, and Rob Halford and concluded that Dio and Dickinson had impeccable technique and weren't doing anything harmful with their singing.

You can learn rasp, but it won't necessarily sound like the singer you're trying to emulate. I wish I had Dio's rasp, but more often it sounds like Sebastian Bach's. Don't overdo it or you might have a very sore throat after a recording session. And drink LOTS of water, keep lubricated.

I can do rasp very well, and no I'm not a smoker or more than the occasional drinker. Smoking is the worst thing a singer can do. Protect your instrument!

Guitarhacker


For what it's worth: a number of years ago, I happened to hear a segment on public radio where a vocal coach/teacher was discussing the vocal techniques used by the death metal singers.

According to her, and she works in LA with these singers on a daily basis, it is a learned technique and if done correctly will not damage the vocal chords, but can cause damage if it's not done properly and a warm up is a really good idea. She described it as being similar to singing in a falsetto voice but of course, a bit different in the results then falsetto. Doing that well takes practice also.

Interesting! I does give me pause to refer to death metal mic users as "singers" per the normal definition. But that doesn't mean that I can do it. It's not an easy style to do vocally so I can appreciate it for that fact even if I don't particularly enjoy it.

Reece, I'm one of those exceptions. :( I remember while working with this vocal coach years ago, I got horribly sick during that time. I was smoking cigs and because I was so sick, I didn't smoke for 4 months. When I was well again, I tried to sing and this beautiful thing came out. Too pretty for my music. I was never a heavy smoker...less than a pack per day and always smoked the lightest cigs known to man. But I was just so clean, I didn't know what to do. My vocal teacher told me that some people can learn to rasp properly while others just may not be able to. Though I have always been quite good at making sound effects with my mouth (I could be a comedian with it on some of the things I can do) rasp isn't one of them.

We tried everything, but my voice no longer fit the music I was doing. We couldn't find a new singer and it was actually depressing for me. It really became a problem when I started working on an album. The voice just didn't fit and was even more unforgiving while recorded. I even grabbed my guitar and tried to play it while singing hoping it would push me a little harder, but that didn't work either. I had always carried my cigs with me even after I quit. I think part of the quitting process for me was to not feel I was lost without them...you know, kinda a mind over matter thing. Well, when I recorded the last part of this song we were working on, I was so upset, I went out and had a smoke. I came in all high from it..lol...because I hadn't had one in over 4 months. Well, I went in and sang, and just from that one cig, I was back to myself.

Like a total transformation in timbre had taken place. I've been smoking ever since....uggh, I know that's horrible and a terrible reason to keep doing this ugly, horrible habit. I just pray to God that it doesn't kill me and do my best not to abuse it. I'm still smoking less than half a pack per day and smoke even lighter cigs than I was back then. I'm singing better than ever and have just enough rasp to make things sound as they should. I've gained range as well from singing for so long and for singing properly. But, I sure do wish I was one that could simulate the rasp thing....because as much as I DO love to smoke cigs, I would quit them in a heart-beat if they didn't alter my voice so much. :(

Nice thread! +1 to all.

"The gift you are born with" -- Mark Baxter

vs.

"Vocal Coaching" -- Mark Baxter

IMHO, all you talents have awesome potentials and dreadful limitations.
Doubtless you and I can let God and/or the subconscious dictate much; also emulating other artists; becoming inspired, and such!

As an amateur producer, having collab'd with dozens of you vocalist talents ... and others (at home)

IMHO, while there may be no such thing as a crap vocalist, every vocalist can sound like crap, when he/she is out of touch, out of tune, out of element, or out of genre.  I'd like to think I can make any vocalist sound beautiful to my ears, with a minimum of vocal coaching.  IOWs, I've never heard a vox I didn't love.

But, it is all relative to the song and heart of this producer, which of you vocalists, I select and choose.

I wouldn't choose Bat (or Robert Plant) to sing hip-hop, because he performs incredibly well with 70's 80's rock.  The same holds true for Philz, Guitarhacker (country), etc.

I wouldn't choose Beagle to sing emotive rock, because he performs well with solid operatics.

OTOH, Yoyofactory has a versatile soul-lifting vox, though he can't sing as polished as Beag or Robbie.  I think of his vox as a pearl of great price; its been tempered by multi-genres and multi-instrument hackings.

I'd choose Twisted-Tony to sing motown or hood-vocals in a heart-beat, but never lush nor raspy country, though he did a splendid motown hybrid with Philz's Southern rock.

Julianna is extremely versatile and powerful; but I'd have difficulty using her vox groanings for hood vocals and the skating rink.  She sings with utmost heart and love.

Rick (NoHow) is pure and raw; that has its followers (including 3 of my collabs)

Clifford is extremely versatile and enthusiastic but may be too raspy for certain genres.

----------------------------------------

Many singers 'arise' and perform greatly, in public; extraverted and emotive.  They wear flashy clothing (including nudity) and are 'charged' by the persons they lust after (sensual and/or sexual) ... those around them.  This holds especially true for so-called Christian performers as well.

Many of us are emotive based on beatz and chord progressions.

Many vocalists practice and aspire to great operatics.

Many use melodyne and sound much better on the dance floor then any rock star.

Many of you defy the new vs. old school definitions, like Alkie.

Many have subconscious and spiritual groanings that oft dictate the utterances, myself included.

Many of us are pro-actors that have no real conviction; we fool most listeners.  I'm the worst.  Hence, I know who you are -- ha ha!

I was born with a gift for singing, and I also was coached/practiced by being in choir throughout school, and in bands afterwards... So I will say, how do you get to Carnagie Hall? You practice... However, natural ability does more than just not hurt? It is essential... It takes both, there are some (many) who would like to sing? And they try (many times later in life) take lessons, practice? I'm afraid it doesn't work that way... :-( It's actually pretty embarrassing in some cases... 

I've seen people with natural ability in other areas? I.e, I've played guitar since I was a boy, but I'll never play the way I hear some play, "regardless" of how much I'm taught, or how much I practice? Don't get me wrong, I can play OK? But, I'm not a great guitarist... I accept that? I'm afraid singers are born. They're taught too, but mostly? They're born (IMO).

Singer nodules will do it. I got them once and said, hey, this growl might be OK. My career is going in a different direction. But I couldn't control it. So I had them snipped.

My voice by nature prob would be classified as "sweet" clear and poppy, however I reckon I can turn on that grit easily enough and not get hoarse that quickly.

I do agree that you need to be born with that gift AND work at it. That applies to all the top people in the world in their field

e.g. english tenis player tim henman, worked his b**lix off and so has got very close to the finals of wimbledon for instance, has he got the same natural talent as roger federer?....no...hence why he never gets or wins the finals!

I agree with philip too however, there is a niche for each vocalist and I know the ones that dont suit my voice and so I will stay away if possible.

Cian

Slugbaby


I think technically-talented singers would be able to turn it on or off. On the other hand, I'd be surprised if one of the AC/DC guys could have crooned smoothly. 

Not to get OT, but Bon Scott in an extra crunchy prog rock band, pre-AC/DC. A little raspy, but not that much:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZY2nl2CwLc