Growl? (NOT a screaming question)

Small · 03-29-2008, 04:58 AM

I'm puzzled by a vocal effect I periodically hear--a kind of growl, for lack of a better term. It doesn't have the abrasive edge of a scream, more of a burble, than anything, and it doesn't always sound particularly intense--it's just a kind of growl overtop of the note the singer is on. I've heard it a lot in opera/musicals, although I've definitely heard similar sounds on rock songs. The last place I heard it, the catalyst for me reignited interest, was Johnny Depp's rendition of Epiphany from Sweeney Todd.

Is it a technique, or just something that certain people's pipes do naturally? Nodes/callouses?

I'm not looking for help screaming; I'm sure that if it's a technique, my voice teacher will cover it in due time. Mostly, I'm just curious.

EDIT: I'm on dial-up, so I can't be sure of it, but <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI1muWt0vho">this</a> should be a video of the performance by Mr. Depp.

Ax · 04-02-2008, 09:14 AM

It's a technique... or something... I know I do it on occasion and it's really almost like oversinging to get an almost scream on a note... I don't really know how to describe it...

Small · 04-03-2008, 02:50 PM

In other words, it's possibly just a side-effect of training--not necessarily a technique you're taught, but a peripheral skill that is an eventual byproduct of good technique?

Ax · 04-03-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small

In other words, it's possibly just a side-effect of training--not necessarily a technique you're taught, but a peripheral skill that is an eventual byproduct of good technique?

When I growl it definitely comes from the same places as a scream.

CDBongo · 04-30-2008, 03:50 PM

I think what you're talking about is called vocal fry. I'd try to explain it but there are others who can describe it much better. Look it up.

Here's one (of many) sites with information about the subject:
http://www.become-a-singing-master.c...vocal-fry.html

presbystrat · 05-01-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDBongo

I think what you're talking about is called vocal fry. I'd try to explain it but there are others who can describe it much better. Look it up.

Here's one (of many) sites with information about the subject:
http://www.become-a-singing-master.c...vocal-fry.html

That doesn't sound like a healthy technique. Probably something you want to do pretty sparingly. It also doesn't sound like something you would hear in operas and musicals.