It's funny how people who know about opera are always saying different vocal styles ruin your voice, but never talk about the opera singers who's voices are ruined, some famous and some not. Any style of singing can destroy your voice if done improperly. Cool video though

what a lovely teacher!

This needs a million views.

This video is so interesting - love my CVT book. Catherine Sadolin is a genius.

You have to take into account the video quality here too of course. Like I've mentioned in other comments, I like Cathrine Sadolin and what she does. I feel that we should be pushing boundaries and researching these types of sounds (let's not forget all the people who said and still say Belting is damaging to the voice) we just don't have the research yet to say this is 100% safe and can be produced without damage everytime. Yes anything is damaging to some degree of you don't create the sound appropriately, but when so much of this sound directly affects sub glottis pressure and the way air passes through the folds, I would like to see some clinical research as to the safety of this and that isn't in her book. I think she knows what she's doing and has obviously been singing like this for a long time, but the thought that anyone can buy her book and practice at home makes me a little nervous. But Good for her for pushing boundaries and exploring it. And the technique has been refined for a number of years now that if people were doing actual harm, we would hear about it.

this vocal technique changed my life... it works!

What I'm trying to say is that this is just great!! I love her way of teaching, and wish I could study with someone like that. I'm definately going to look into her stuff.

I bought the CVT book and have all the examples and exercises. What a fantastic book and method. I'm running through all the effects now. Not easy and challenging = I like that!

I love love love the art of singing!

amazing.. thank you for this!

THIS IS AMAZING!!!!! LOVE IT

I was taught to trill the soft palate to produce distortion - like how a cat purrs or Chewbacca from Star Wars sounds. Its like gargling without water. I can do this for hours because I'm not involving the cords much to produce the sound. Jaime Vendera teaches this method. I'm not happy about doing anything that involves glottal attacks but I'll give this technique a try myself and see how it feels.

Lovely to see this on the internet, I recognize it from my own CVT classes, and I agree: We can learn to use effects in a healthy way. CVT-coaching is too expensive, but effective!

Hi everyone Thanks for your nice comments - glad you like it. The good thing is that it is not that hard to learn distortion. Most trained singers get the hang of it in 10-30 minutes like in Suvi's case, but some has to spend a few weeks to get it. Then it can take some training to master it and use it musically. Best wishes :) Henrik

started to read her book and it's really clever book, no poses. reading carefully, so far - it is good

exactly. I saw him on the Heaven & Hell tour in '07 and although his voice is a little dark because of age but he still sounds amazing.

Hi PhreeSoul. I totally agree. Stop the unreasonable fear and unnecessary limitations and set the voice free. This is the way I se it :)

WOw....I like it!!! Want to learn it!!!! WHOOOAAAA

that's really cool

Lol the woman on the left sounds like lois out of family guy

So good.

Dear distediste Don't be so afraid for these sounds. If you don't like them or for some other reason don't want to use them in your singing, there is absolutely no reason to train them. However if done correctly they do no harm at all to the voice (see my other videos). I have 17 years of experience in working with this, and have seen thousands of singers learning distortion without any problems. And many has been singing like this for more than 17 years. Best wishes :) Henrik

Thanks for your kind words! I agree with you that many classical teachers don't know much about other styles, and I think this is partly because they have learned that non-classical singing sounds "wrong", and maybe even that it is harmful for the voice. But this is changing now. All teachers educated at CVI can teach and demonstrate all sounds the human voice can make, so I know of several classical teachers who can teach distortion an other effects. Best wishes :) Henrik

Thanks for your kind words! You're right. Distortion (and all other sounds by the way) can be produced in a healthy way. Not only is Cathrine a good example on this, but also all Authorized CVT Teachers (about 50 at the moment, 30 more in a few weeks) can demonstrate and teach these effects. Many thousand more singers has learned it. Regarding larynx, we don't need to agree. As long as we are happy with what we are doing, no need to change it. If it ain't broken, why fix it? Best wishes :)

Hi Niki0808. You are right that it takes a certain kind of atmosphere to use group teaching in a positive way. The teacher needs to be very aware of how intimidating the situation can be for the singer. At CVI we almost solely use group teaching, because there are so many advantages, and everybody loves it. And the most important thing: We learn from being taught directly, but learn even more from watching other singers in session. A combination is the perfect way. Best wishes :) Henrik

Thanks for your kind words :) Henrik

this is a vocal 'EFFECT" - Catherine is not teaching her to sing this way all the time but to be able to use where he can portray a certain emotion. "Distortion" is one of many vocal tools, like whistle tones or a vocal fry. I agree that "singing doesn't mean screaming" but its not all about Bel Canto either - especially outside the classical genre. This is purely a vocal technique - one of many. There are many singers doing this for decades with no ill effects on their voices.

i would do anything to go study there :(

@Darkhopeproyect Thanks for your kind words. You can: 1) Buy Cathrine Sadolins book "Complete Vocal Technique" with step-by-step guides how to do distortion and much more. 2) Book a skype lesson at Complete Vocal Institute, or come to Copenhagen for a face to face lesson, or... 3) sign up at one of the many courses offered. 4) Find an Authorized CVT Teacher by visiting the Complete Vocal Institute website under 'Education and courses' and 'Find a teacher' :) Henrik

wow i want lessons from this woman its amazing and verry danger's dont try this at home without a realy good coach

a lot of people confuse "grunting" or "gutteral" vocal effects with distortion. "Grunting" is for low pitches like death metal. "Distortion" sounds best with higher pitches and can be sung with melody whereas "grunting" cannot.

I saw Dio gig few years ago, he was awesome.

Hi :) Skillful ear? I have spend numerous hours listening to different distortions. Have you? 1) The larynx goes up on high notes as it should according to all vocal science the last 25 years or so. 2) The vocal cords are not overblown with air. Distortion is not made by the vocal cords, but by the ventricular folds. See endoscope recordings in my other videos. 3) How do you destroy a vowel? 4) I base my opinion on science, experiments and experience. On what do you base yours? Best wishes :)

@Tyisme100 yeah, i have a high voice too. (counter tenor myself) you will have to 'think' it a bit higher, so the vibration you make is a bit more above your regular voice muscle or something. then you can use your normal voice along with it to create a much higher and controlled pitch.

Cool!

You just joined KZfaq so I'm not surprised this is all you've seen for CVI. She doesn't have a lot of videos on here - read Catherine's bookor go to her website. Its about a lot more than distortion effects. It covers everything you mention; support, mix, passagio, tonal placement, range, dynamics and effects. Its quite extensive. Don't judge her on this one video.

at completevocalinstitute-com, you'll find sadolin's practical book, she has been doing solid research for 25 year to complete this book, she is a very well renown expert in this subject atleast in scandinavia - they even thought her technique in my high school, if you just google a danish voice-researcher by name of Catherine Sadolin then you are bound to find atleast some of her work or reference to her work. my college has hundreds of paiges discussing her work, but it's in swedish.

adorable

... A fun thing is that in some cases even highly educated classical singers experience improvements in their classical technique by singing other styles, because it is a way to unlearn 'bad habits' (for example too low positioned larynx) taught by unclear classical training. For in depth singing technique discussions I recommend Complete Vocal Institutes online vocal technique forum. Thanks for your input! Best wishes :) Henrik

.... and thanks for your interest :) Henrik

As for distortion, much if not most distortion happens above the vocal folds, so if done appropriately it's not really damaging on the chords, that's the SS branch of thought, I believe. The main thing is not high or low larynx, but whether you feel like you're hurting yourself. Pain and singing = No. I think this is a great video, those with a good enough ear can tell this isn't really damaging the folds. Sadolin has clearly been doing this for a while, and she seems all right doesn't she? XD

Hi Michellevca Yes, Angela Gossow is a great singer. She is using a lot of 'Grunting', another vocal effect. The effect here is called 'Distortion'. Best wishes :) Henrik

This is a very interesting video! While I am of the SingingSuccess school of thought, which is similar, but also quite different than SLS, I do respect the CVT teachings very much. I don't think we'll ever agree on larynx issues though XD. Well, I don't know about SLS, but SS doesn't completely dismiss high larynx sounds, but simply uses a neutral larynx as a foundation. SS sounds focus mostly on what I believe you guys would call a curbing, which makes sense since curbing encompasses all range

Hi RocktheStageNYC Just some clarification: This Distortion is made by the ventricular folds (false folds), not the soft palate. For 90% of singers it is easier in the beginning to find the the distortion with a high positioned larynx. Distortion doesn't cause fatigue if done correctly, and many singers can do it hour after hour without any problems. Glottal attacks are involved, but are just beginnings of notes and not harmful at all. I don't know 'vocal trill', but this is CVT - Distortion :)

@jacksonvoice: it's all a matter of taste, isn't it ? Separating taste & technique is very important. If someone doesn't sound according to your personal preferences, it doesn't mean it isn't good. This singer was recorded in a masterclass, which means she was exploring and questioning her art = being in a learning curve. Once people master the fundaments of healthy sound production, they can pass onto colouring, polishing & shaping their sound.

There's is nothing unhealthy about that sound and you don't really damage your cords - fatigue them is more likely. Distortion (if done right) is produced by vibrating the soft palette so the sound is up and away for the folds. A vocal trill so to speak with A LOT of support. That way there is no glottal attacks or damage to the cords.

@edo77edo Yes, you're right. In certain styles distortion just doesn't make musical sense. It might come though, styles develop. It's all about taste. Thanks for your interest :)

Hi Paul. Take a look at my other videos with Julian McGlashan with endoscopy footage from some studies we have done on the extreme vocal effects. Thanks for your interest. Bets wishes :) Henrik

that was pretty awesome--not the sound per se, but the way it was produced with minimum abrasion to the vocal cords :)

She sounds like a female Dio :D

WOW !!!

KZfaq search for Vendera shattering glass. In one of them he says he can sing up to 120db to break crystal goblets. He is the first documented human to break glass by voice alone. Babies can scream at 110db-120db as well. Reinforced falsetto does not cause strain if done properly. Frankie Valli has been doing it for 40 years. Ian Gillan for 30 years. Volume is achieved through resonance and support/airflow. None of that should hurt if done properly. Caruso is a prime example.

This distortion can be done using the false folds or the actual vocal folds. The former is relatively safe (false folds being strong and not used while vocalising) trhe latter will end your voice quickly. The problem is that it is very difficult to telll the difference. Somebody watching this video and trying to learn distortion will probably use their vocal cords to achieve it.

Don't mistake taste for technique. You might not like the sound, but that doesn't make it harmful for the voice. At CVI about 80 of the 200 singers are in training to become CVT Teachers, and they all learn to do the distortion as (a small) part of their training. Distortion is not harmful for the voice if done correctly. Just as classical singing is not harmful for the voice if done correctly. All sounds can be made in a healthy, or unhealthy, way. See my other videos for more info :) Henrik

Hi portugal237 & AsSomeday... You have no reason to fear these techniques, they are thoroughly tested during 20 years of work. Since 05 more than 500 singers has completed a longer CVI course, and they can all make a healthy distortion. Not all use this effect because the sound does not fit their musical choice, and that is absolutely ok. Just as there is no reason you should train it if you don't like it. But because you don't like the sound doesn't mean it is against nature or unhealthy :)

Hi there I will encourage all to stay on topic. Please avoid the endless discussions that has nothing, or very little, to do with this particular video clip. Shown here is the effect 'Distortion' which is a part of 'Complete Vocal Technique' (CVT). Even though no other method to my knowledge offers teaching in Distortion, neither I or Cathrine claim that CVT is the only way to teach. Our firm believe is that singers should try out different methods and decide what they like best. :) Henrik

Seth Riggs (SLS founder) said he started teaching pop singers because there's no money in teaching opera singers (he was teaching Bel Canto to opera singers originally). Similar perhaps but only on one aspect - connecting or bridging chest & head registers. SLS doesn't teach reinforced falsetto, covered sound, 'Dans le masque' i.e. frontal or forward placement and projection. SLS and Bel Canto have many significant differences.

@hfneerd Thank you for sharing the video. Actually i am a beginner and that's why i said that. If there is a proper technique it can be applied. But i don't think you can sing 2 hours with distortion :), what do you think?

Let me put it this way: what you hear in the video is not unhealthy :) All sounds can be produced in a healthy way, and will then not harm the voice. Equally all sounds can be made in an unhealthy way, and might then harm your voice. With all sounds I mean ALL sounds, distortion, classical singing, throat singing, growl, pianissimo thinnings in the high part of the voice, screaming, etc, etc, etc... Best wishes :) Henrik

oh hey, and all you guys check out Angela Gossow from arch enemy.. she's been doing extreme vocals for something like 13 or 14 years (she's 34 and AAMAAZING) and she does it correctly. she doesn't have any problems after a concert, and she does perfectly well on tours (in which the shows are performed restlessly one night after another). she takes care of her voice, she doesn't smoke or drink and etc... so come on, how can extreme vocal not be healthy done properly? :P

My dad never wanted me to do classical training because he was sure they would "ruin my musicality". I'm not sure if he's right, but I would definately choose my daughter or my son's teacher with a lot of care. I would have loved to have done more voice training, but for me the problem with classically trained teachers has been that most of them haven't a) known anything about other styles, and b) haven't been able to combine technique with improvisation etc. Therefore I've been sceptical...

Hi goldchocobo333. Thanks very much for your kind words :) I must disagree regarding the larynx though. A higher larynx will make your sound color "lighter", but I have never met a singer who had damaged his/hers voice by too high larynx. I have met many singers with trouble caused by too low larynx. What your teacher calls "dangerous high larynx", might in reality be something else. My point of view on this specific subject is shared by most voice professionals in Europe. Best wishes :) Henrik

To clarify, I'm not saying that it's always good. If you do it wrong and force your voice, you're screwed. The whole point is that the actual "effects", should be applied without forcing excessive air through your vocal cords. Most people tend to do it wrong, especially when they're imitating others without having a fully developed technical foundation.

@Farfetnoogen Thanks :)

Hi bssb1979. What is right and what is wrong in music? Taste is individual. If you are not using distortion in your own singing, there is absolutely no reason to learn it - endless you want to pass it on as a teacher that is :) However many singers does use distortion and other effects, and in many different styles of music. As singing teachers we see ourselves as servants for singers, and it is our job to help performing whatever sound a singer wants in a healthy way. Best wishes :) Henrik

I just began with readin her book (dutch ver.) cause i didn't get i when i was younger... (14 now, didn't get the anatomy) i can't believe that didn't hurt! It's awesome. But i probably wouldn't make it even if i wanted too ^.^'' i don't have the confidence to sing hard anymore because i screwed up my voice so many times....

onde encontro o conteúdo completo?

@klein3351f Yes there are always the possibility to damage the voice if using improper technique. It can happen when singing distortion, or when singing anything else, or when shouting at a football match. The distorted sound is not more dangerous than any other sound. Your suggestion to use distortion sparingly is not useful for for example metal singers. Today we have proper technique for all sounds the human voice can make. No need to fear a particular sound. Best wishes :) Henrik

Vocal cord pressure does NOT increase with volume. Support & resonance increase with volume. If you're technique is correct there is little or no pressure in loud or high notes. Especially if you're using reinforced falsetto or adducted head voice. If there's pressure or tighness, you're doing it wrong. You think Pavarotti or Caruso has pressure in their cords when belting out high C's. I think not. Go ask Jamie Vendera if singing at 120db while shattering glass hurts his cords.

Hi TheSingingteacher Before writing something so wrong, why don't you read the discussions below, and take a look at my other videos? People has been singing with distortion at least since the technology to make recordings were invented, and many of them has done so for a whole lifetime. Sorry for the direct tone, but I'm getting a little tired of these unsubstantiated comments. Vocal technique has developed, and I will recommend you and other singing teachers to develop as well. Best wishes :)

... she is indeed :) Henrik

Hi again I don't claim to have the one and only truth about singing technique. Far from it. But I have spend many years on the subject and I believe I can back my views. I work regularly with ENTs about voice problems and scientific research. I also meet many ENTs at conferences etc. In 2004 I heard a singing teacher at a voice conference claiming it is harmful for the voice to raise the larynx on higher notes. Nobody agreed, and his argumentation failed completely. Best wishes :) Henrik

Even in SLS you have to support certain things to achieve adducted notes, reinforced faletto etc. There no such thing as unsupported singing.

Hi folks.. Can someone please definitively explain whats happening here anatomically when we do this? Massive asymmetric vibration? I'm busy as hell coaching, get great results with my clients and am always looking for new things. For the life of me though, if I tried that, my voice would be shot within 5 minutes so wouldn't even attempt to coach someone into it. Kind regards Paul

I agree that no matter the style there are good and bad teachers. I don't agree that classical technique is better to improve range, and regarding resonance this is a matter of musical taste. The resonance/ timbre wanted in classical singing is not necessarily the same wanted in other styles. When it comes to 'quitting the stage' there is no reason to believe that classical singing is less straining than other styles. With proper technique ALL sounds can be done in a healthy way. Best wishes :)

@Tyisme100 follow screaming tutorials, try it. and instead of full screaming you can use your voice and scream at the same time. also, if it hurts. STOP... wait... try again later, do something else wait untill it settles. because if it hurts, and you keep it up. you will end up damaging or at least overworking the mucle you use. and you could even potentially use the mucle in a self destructive way if done impropper. take note tough, you are using a mucle in your thought you normally dont use.

My point exactly. Since you're not a teacher than you don't understand the mistakes 99% of all singers make. You're an SLS practicioner who has the SLS dogma taught to you every week. I am not so narrow minded in my approach the singing as SLS singers are. Lots of singers have bad habits and breathing from the chest is the most common. Getting people back to the right way to breath for powerful singing doesn't take much - maybe 2 lessons.

Can you point us to specific research behind this work? As an Estill follower this method would seem very dangerous. Are there specific research papers or online videos which show how these extreme techniques impact the voice over time? We know for example that several famous singers now in their later careers who use these kinds of sounds have ruined their voices by the time they are in their 40s-50s particularly by over pushing breath as seems to be promoted here. Any advice?

it says "extreme vocal" in the title. what was the confusion?

... Today we have well laid-out techniques for all sounds the human voice can make, and it is not necessarily helpful for non-classical singers to take classical lessons. The overall principles for the use of the voice (support etc) is the same for all styles of music, but unfortunately these principles are not described very clearly in most classical voice training, and therefore it can be hard to compare with the training of other instruments...

Whether it is horrible or not is a matter of taste. I like it. Pretty sure Cathrine hasn't had nodules despite doing this for decades.

:o) You might have a point there. On the other hand it can be wise to face our fears once in a while, and that could be an explanation while I'm still around in this field even though I've heard plenty of death metal growl :)

Michael doesn't a genre of music that requires this type of vocal effect and SLS technique can actually be dangerous in some ways. The human singing voice is made to be louder than speech.

I just reread my posts above, and realize that one could get the impression that I have no respect for classical singing teachers. I just want to make absolutely clear that this is not the case. I have met many highly skilled classical singers and teachers. In my previous posts I am not talking about 'every single classical teacher in the whole world', but merely describing the development of teaching singing in general as I see it. Best wishes :) Henrik

Lol she rocks. The distortion comes from the rumbling of the backside of your throat called your pharnx.

Hi again bssb1979 If what I wrote before is a truism to you, why do you then think that distortion might be more damaging to the voice than other sounds? (which is what I guess is the reason for your skepticism?). The reason I know that what is on the video doesn't damage the vocal cords, is that the singer didn't get hoarse afterwords. Another reason is that I have the same experience from thousands of other singers. And everybody at CVI can make distortion :) Best wishes :) Henrik

Different people have different points of view, and the only way we get better is to discuss and exchange experience and knowledge. That is showing respect in my opinion :) I still don't think your symptoms is caused by too high larynx. I know that some voice methods teach that too high larynx is bad for the voice, but from a CVT point of view, that is not the case. I have met many singers, shouting all day long with extreme high larynxes without any problems :)

Dear Heraopera. You really seem to be angry about this. That is sad. Thousands of singers and teachers are happy with CVT, and like the clarity/effectiveness of the method. The CVT method is not new, it's about 25 years of age. Still, quite a lot newer than Belcanto, Verismo and Blues (is that even a method?) And yes, Cathrine is making money, and so am I and 190 Authorised CVT Teachers and many more singers using CVT. That is what makes us professionals. Do you make money as a 'voice expert'?

@LeapingDodo: would like to see your video ... ^^

damn i would really like to see catherine sadolin singning in a heavy metal band hahahaha i really mean it! (Ô_Ô) that'd be so awesome!! XD it would be an instant hit!

Hi Djeikop. There are several authorised CVT teachers in Oslo. Call the office at Complete Vocal Institute at +45 3332 7724, and get some contact info. Thanks for your interest. Best wishes :) Henrik

Dear MrBetweendasheets. You write: "I know for a fact that the false folds don't produce sound" You might believe so, but you don't know it for a fact. To our very best knowledge it is a fact, that distortion, as taught in the video, is produced by the ventricular folds (false folds). Take a look at the two videos "Julian McGlashan,Extreme vocal effects". If performed correctly, distortion is as healthy as anything. Best wishes :) Henrik

Why are you writing this? Do you have a question to the video? Or do you have any arguments to support your point of view, so we can have a possible fruitful debate. I mean "Vocal nodes, maximum 1 performance a week"??? It is easy to write such a statement, but it has no connection to any professional singers reality I know of. Mercury sounded great, even when sick, and made more demanding concerts than most will ever dream of. :) Henrik

I know what a passaggio can be, but I have heard so many different definitions, that I don't find the term very useful anymore. It's the same with mix and head and chest etc: there is no clear definition of what the terms means, and too many different definitions. Effects takes up 37 pages out of 272 in the book, and that includes vibrato and fast phrasing, so there is more to CVT :) Take a look, here in German: kjelinfoto(dot)dk/cvtbook/KompletteGesangstechnik2009.pdf Best wishes :) Henrik

hmm

Anyone who doesn't think Cathrine is amazing needs to listen from 4:00 to 5:00 again. :)

Well, your opinion can be as good as anybody's. I don't agree with you, but I guess we have the same love for music though :) Henrik

.... and it is MUCH easier, and safer for the voice, to make distortion with a higher positioned larynx. Best wishes :) Henrik

she uses a lot of twang after all xD

I have to disagree. 1; countless rock singers have been using these effects for years, and kept on singing whole carreers without loosing their voices. That alone is proof enough that it IS possible to sing like this without harming the voice. 2; using your body while you sing is not harmful. Just look at the operas or musicals, where they have to sing in strange positions or while they dance. 3; Listen how the teacher constantly asks the singer: does that feel ok? It shows great respect.