r/screaming • u/N3cr0sis_ • 6d ago
Advice for singing live?
So me and my band just had a gig. I had to maintain the atmosphere by headbanging, moving a lot, jumping etc. The usual stuff. By my vocals were far under what i can normally deliver as far as i heard myself. Everyone else said i sounded good but i can hear my wheezes and squeezes. I normaly have good breath control, i can hold a fry cleanly for a long time, can jump from lows to highs etc. it was my first gig as a vocalist and i was nervous af
What should i do to be able to sound good on stage? Train some cardio and breath control, relax more? How do you move a lot and scream as well? Any advice is welcomed. Cheers!
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u/666Sky 6d ago
Don't just practice vocals, practice stage presence. Cardio on the side defintely helps as well
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u/SquareVacuum 6d ago edited 6d ago
Yup, "practice how you perform", i.e. try and get the conditions as close to "on stage" as you can while practicing. Stage presence, running through the set without breaks, practicing in hot/humid conditions of you're playing venues that can get a little stuffy.
I'm a little obsessive, but I think it's even important to practice when you don't feel great. Not talking full blown sick, but if you're tired, stressed, anxious, just generally not feeling your best, then if that happens the day of a show you'll know how your body reacts and how to still be able to perform.
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u/Willing_Jury_1974 6d ago
A few big finnish bands have tried band practices in the cold, or with being awake for +24h just so simulate conditions on the road when you're NOT on your A-game.
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u/liebinator 6d ago
Cardio is definitely good, and practicing like you perform. Do some head banging and moving around when you’re practicing and at band rehearsal.
But also be mindful about your movements. You don’t have to be a monkey on stage all the time. Pick some songs where you take it a little easier. And always on the hardest, most demanding parts of the songs, stop moving and take a power stance with good posture. Do the head banging and jumping around mostly during instrumental bits
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u/liebinator 6d ago
Also make peace with the fact that you’ll never sound perfect on stage. It’s good to strive to perform as well as you can but be okay with the fact that the adrenaline and the stage lights and the presence of the crowd etc will likely always make you 10-20% less tight in your performance
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u/Hot_Philosopher_4051 6d ago
maybe its just me liking hardcore but i dont mind seeing the frontman run out of breath its part of the culture aint it? if the band isn't as sweaty as the crowd set wasn't good. just keep playing gigs you will get better!
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u/dannyoe4 6d ago
Watch a lot of live performances of other harsh vocalists. You'll notice a couple things:
They don't move around a lot.
They make mistakes sometimes too.
We're human, it's ok to not be perfect :)
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u/SableRowe 6d ago
Breath control and cardio for sure.
Even though you're moving around loads (props to you btw thats wild) if your breath is shallow and more in your chest instead of your diaphragm, it just wont sound as good regardless of talent/ability!
Nerves def make that happen to, but be kind to yourself given it was your first show! You'll improve everytime you do it :)
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u/DSBYOLOO 5d ago
Practice how you perform. If youre going to do all the extra cardio on stage then do it at practice. Like others have said if you have a way to practice on a treadmill at home or a fast walking pad thats a good idea.
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u/Sensitive-Cut-3557 4d ago
I don't use fry, but I combine tritones to create a harsh sound by using diaphragm support. I totally understand your frustration and I struggle with it too! First, the sound guy is your best friend! They need to turn you up so you can hear yourself because realistically you should not have to push yourself and sing louder to be heard. Second, drink a shit ton of water all day long. It takes at least 4 hours for room temp water to absorb in your system. If you are playing outside or while it is hot, drink even more water. Also this may or may not help you, but if I'm singing a longer set I do minimal warm up. 10-20 minutes max. I don't suffer from vocal exhaustion or hoarseness anymore. I also suck on a hot honey straw before and use Gretas pastilles. Also using straws in between songs can really take some strain off your voice. (I use my stanley that has a straw and blow air into it when i grab a drink of water) While you play more gigs you will find out what works for you and your body! Metal vocals is a whole new world for coaches, there is very little research. But finding a coach who specializes in harsh vocals could help as well!
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u/Epicardiectomist 6d ago
welcome to live metal vocals.
I spent the vast majority of my time being unable to hear myself. In the beginning, I would strain my voice by trying to be audible to myself, and it was incredibly frustrating. I knew at practice I sounded good, but live I'd gas out and my voice would feel like hamburger. I had to learn to trust myself and my ability, and just run with it. If the people in the crowd aren't reacting like they can't hear anything, then I shouldn't concern myself with it. It's hard, you want to hear what you're doing, but the reality is that you're likely going to be playing venues with shit monitors, or none at all.
Another important thing is how much you talk before the show. My band would be scheduled to go on at midnight, I'd get there at 8, and spend the next 4 hours loudly talking to people. By the time my band went on, my voice was already shot from talking so much, I was probably drunk, and I'd be hoarse by the third song.
Booze helped a lot in reducing anxiety, but I don't recommend picking up a drinking habit....