Although the death metal singer's signature hoarse vocals sound like growls and screams, it's actually a technique that takes a lot of practice to master. You can learn how to sing like that by warming up your vocal cords properly so they don't get damaged, and practicing how to breathe and sing from your diaphragm while adding growls to your vocals. Once you can do that, get out there and sing death metal songs with passion!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Doing a Vocal Warmup
Step 1. Gargle with salt water and baking soda to moisten the vocal cords
Mix 120 ml of warm water, 5 ml of salt, and 1.2 ml of baking soda. Use the mixture to gargle for 30 seconds to loosen and moisten the back of your throat and vocal cords so you're ready to sing death metal.
- Gargle while mumbling a high-pitched voice to relax and moisturize your vocal cords.
- Do not use water that is too hot or boiling to avoid hurting your throat.
Step 2. Warm up the “hee-haw” vocals
All singers should warm up their vocal cords before performing, but for death metal music, you'll want to heat up the moaning and screaming of your vocals so you don't damage your vocal cords. Imagine the “hee-haw” sound a donkey makes, and then use that sound to practice vocals. Repeat the "hee-haw" sound at different pitches and intensities to prepare the vocal cords for death metal songs.
Start gently so you don't hurt your vocal cords, then increase the pitch and intensity
Step 3. Warm up your vocals by shouting “yah” and growling “wow”
The vocal characteristics of death metal music are deep growls and screams. Warm up your rough vocals by singing while shouting “yah” and warm up your vocal chords by singing while growling “wow.”
- Start screaming and growling more intensely as your vocal cords start to heat up.
- Practice singing the lyrics to a death metal song you know to warm up your vocal chords.
Step 4. Suck on slippery lozenges to protect the vocal cords
Lozenges contain mucus that can coat the throat and prevent it from hurting. Singing can take a toll on your vocal chords, especially if you sing metal songs. As you warm up, suck on the slippery lozenge to help lubricate and protect your vocal cords.
You can buy lozenges at health food stores or online
Tip:
If you can't find lozenges, use cough drops to keep your vocal cords lined and protected.
Method 2 of 2: Growling While Singing Death Metal Songs
Step 1. Relax your neck and leave your mouth wide open
To produce a natural, death metal growl, you need to get the sound out from the inside of the diaphragm. Relax your throat and mouth so that you produce sound only from your diaphragm and vocal cords.
Changing the shape of the mouth can drastically change the sound that comes out. Keep your mouth relaxed and open to produce harsh death metal vocals
Step 2. Take deep breaths with your diaphragm
To create a heavy death metal growl, you need to expel air from your diaphragm instead of just using your lungs. Start by taking deep breaths until your stomach expands.
- Make sure the area around your stomach is filled as you inhale to make sure you're not breathing from your chest.
- Place one hand on your chest as you breathe. If your hands move more than your stomach when you inhale, you are not breathing with your diaphragm.
Step 3. Press air from the diaphragm
Use your diaphragm muscles to squeeze air out of your mouth to make it sound like a puff of air. Don't use your vocal cords just yet to make sure the air is coming out of the diaphragm, not the chest.
Push the air out quickly and hard by strengthening the diaphragm and muscles in the upper body
Step 4. Add a growl from the back of the throat
As you exhale, add a rough growl from the bottom of your neck to the sound. The growl should sound harsh and almost like the sound of someone gargling.
If the sound is painful or tickles your throat, you are not warming up enough or not pushing air out of your diaphragm
Tip:
Place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth to make the growl sound louder.
Step 5. Sing song lyrics while growling
Once you're able to growl and sing with your diaphragm, start adding lyrics to the rough vocals you practice. Start with short lyrics that you already know before singing the entire song. Practice singing the lyrics at different pitches so you can find out which one works best for you.
- Mastering death metal singing takes a lot of practice.
- Practice saying the lyrics while growling to make the words sound clear.
