How to Add Grit and Distortion to Your Mixed Voice (Sing High With Authority!)

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Maybe you feel like you can sing high, but when you do, it feels and sounds too thin!? You may have heard a lot of people tell you how you can add distortion by using glottal compression, vocal fry, and regulating airflow, but how is this actually supposed to FEEL in your own voice with your own experience? Through noises and explanations revolving around common vocal sensations, I demonstrate how to go from thin high notes, to well-supported, loud and distorted singing! No Thesaurus needed!

[@freeman6231]

Whenever it comes to learning a new vocal skill, I gladly take a liepe of faith.

[@eon5811]

Hahaha

[@matheusferraz486]

same!

[@lance9760]

This made my day !!!!!

[@jamesrara]

Oh easily!!!

[@Haddarus]

That was so bad that actually was good

[@kuanlinpaihan]

4:33 me at mcdonald's drive thru when they ask what I'd like to order

[@brandontruong162]

I CANT BREATHE 😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@muzicalmastermind6163]

😂😂

[@Anthony-wv7ig]

_wheeze_

[@cliftonsneed4240]

Dead 😂😭

[@Dhakadice]

Only one fry? :P

[@theresalwayssomething2397]

I'm watching a man repeatedly yell fry at me like some kind of satanic ritual and I love it

[@chrisliepe]

hehe NICE

[@VaVaBanks28]

I got vocal fry, scream, so much down and still growing. My songs sound much more complete now too. Can't wait to finish this demo tape and perform! Thanx Chris for everything!

[@syzygy3120]

this is chester's bennington's technique, right? omg awesome bro!

[@nicolasamblard7231]

After trying so many different methods, I could finally find my mixed voice thanks to you! That means so much! As it's very new, I'm struggling with precision in my pitch a bit (i have no problem regarding that in chest or head voice). Maybe some pitch exercises would be great for a next video? Thanks so much!

[@pedrokoury1352]

Nicolas AMBLARD Keep going brother. I am, too

[@e-jayloudvibez2000]

Came here to learn how to mix a gritty voice, ended up learning how to use your gritty voice lmao still worth it

[@brentinjapan]

Thanks! I’m trying to get back to singing with grit and rasp again after years of getting my voice “clean”. I’m going through songs working on each word and phrase the way you’re teaching it. It’s coming along.

[@chrisliepe]

You got this!!

[@KhalilVaz]

You deserve so much more views. Great lesson, as usual.

[@konmirror6445]

Wow you’re so great at articulating your points especially for people with little to no actual music experience, and it shows how much you have. You make it enjoyable too so I don’t know why you aren’t one of the top viewed vocal youtubers

[@chrisliepe]

Spread the word!

[@CeLillyMusic]

Wow I can't believe that after seeing so many tutorials I finally found someone who was able to describe it so I was able to sing like that! Can't wait to try it out in a full song! I always thought I just naturally wasn't able to sing with distortion and this video gave me so much hope haha . :D

[@romangehres943]

Chris you are the only guy on KZbin I trust when it comes to vocal coaching. Seeing your videos are reassuring.

[@nickolasheart9661]

Love your channel Chris really helpong me break through to those next levels of singing 🙏 for the love of the art, lets keep singing (:

[@bridgetcraigskull]

Nicely done! You have excellent explanations and your personal examples are a super helpful tool. Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge.

[@higordiniz]

Man, I don’t know how to thank you! I had vocal lessons for a few years, and the drive subject was always a kind of “mith” mainly because of it’s not always understandable application. So, I always had a good fry control, but didn’t get a way to insert it on my mixed voice, until I watch your video. I just got it easily thanks for your excellent explanation! Thanks a lot!!!

[@RickSnowdon]

Dude, best vocal coach on KZbin for this style. It took me years to figure this out on my own. Discovered mixed voice from singing Phantom of the Opera tunes quietly in my home (to not annoy neighbours) and realised I could sing higher without straining and reaching. Was a revelation. I then applied to to singing Zep tunes and added grit. Took me about a year of practice to develop that aspect of my voice. Takes maintenance to keep it strong. I find though, if im using it for a full song I begin to lose the range. Is this just a vocal fitness thing? Or not holding back enough? If i sing clean it lasts longer. The range comes back after a little break. Great channel mate, keep it up!

[@chrislestermusic]

I’d love to hear what Chris has to say. It sounds like a support issue from what you describe but I’m not a teacher so...

[@andreaf3324]

actually I've the same problem, I'd like to hear a response from Chris

[@michiel5668]

I have the same problem as well. Very interested in Cris' take on this issue.

[@doomedguy5930]

I also discovered mixed voice by a different way. The puberty hit me when I was 12 yrs, I couldn't sing in my higher register anymore (head voice) so, I came up with trying to reach there from my chest voice but without that much strain, I started to subconsciously bridge. After repeating it trying to get more strength and tune, I managed to get a very decent mixed voice, at that time most I could hit was like A4, maybe B4. Then I started screaming, and by casualties, that recovered the feeling of head voice. I started developing hv, my mix became better and now I can easily reach High C or even high D, not very good since I'm not properly trained, but, at least it's something that I can use fairly well.

[@renemuller6967]

I have a problem with singing with distortion but the funny thing is that I can do fry screams but I'm still not able to find the right dose for aggressive singing. I keep on trying. It's frustrating and interesting at the same time to discover the voice so I am still motivated and think that I can do it one day.

[@josuebz5462]

Love it! Very useful information. Thank you Chris

[@marie-pierruel6474]

Omg! Thanks for that! You're the best teacher in the world!🙏

[@sinjin4005]

THANK YOU so much for showing how it sounds "in between" I kept listening to people doing it straight from clean singing to a perfect distortion tone, and when my voice kept cracking I thought I was doing it wrong, but now I know it's just a transition stage.

[@Krunchforever]

I have been watching your videos back to back over a time period of about a week now. And coming from somebody who’s been self-taught his entire life with singing I couldn’t be happier that I discovered your videos. Just when I have another question about a certain thing another of your videos pop up and answers it for me. I’m excited for more videos and more learning!

[@brandnewnumb5008]

I discovered your channel not too long ago and I just wanna say you've really helped me. I'm trying to use the vocal techniques Layne Staley used. I'm also practicing everything else so thank you.

[@junaidesse]

You're an awesome instructor mah man. Shows how well you understand your game/craft 😍

[@iMaCH]

oh my god... this is the first video explaining vocal fry in higher register that i could understand and have it actually work for me THANK YOU SO MUCH ive been trying to figure this out for 4 years to no avail

[@chrisliepe]

Awesome to hear!!

[@sameochannel7637]

You have a great way to explain complicated things and make it that I grip it fast...Fry, thats brilliant!...great one Chris!!

[@thesho-waz6702]

👍　I have a high tone voice and love singing gospel music. Gospel vocalists have various vocal textures. This video is very helpful. Thank you 🙏

[@Remington_Music]

This video gave me a huge breakthrough. I've struggled with getting my mixed range to fry or distort for awhile without pain. Jumping straight from fry to a high mixed note while keeping your other distortion techniques in mind did it, as well as using falsetto to find the note, I even got my first falsetto distortion which I couldn't even believe. For a moment I actually thought it was a mixed note because it didn't sound at all like my normal weak head voice, it sounded like powerful mix just a little quieter. Incredible thanks man. Changing my life every day

[@samme0311]

You're amazing. Im new to singing (I've only screamed before) but Im trying to learn singing and especially with more harsh and gritty techniques.

[@robinchionna_official3453]

This is just awesome content!!! Wow! That was really helpful

[@chrisliepe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tworadon]

Man, I can't emphasise enough how much observing the transitions you demonstrate in all sorts of ways in your many videos is helping me to navigate all the weird sounds I'm making. I wish it'd be possible to have library of hundreds of few second video clips of you showing all the examples of transitions you've ever made, and then maybe have a description under each saying whether there's too little support or too much tension, etc. Heck I can imagine implementing and search algorithm or even an AI to match the vocalist's weird sounds to some of your examples to guide them. Maybe I'm getting carried away with LiepeNet haha!

[@hiddentalent123]

I have enjoyed these videos and though I am classically trained it is good to have a few new tools in my arsenal. I especially enjoyed the first video on breath control. I remembered those techniques when I was recently in the recording studio and my vocals came out better than ever even though I did not warm up my voice. Keep up the good work.

[@mekaartstudy]

This is confirmation! I LOVE THIS VIDEO. I am learning this right now.

[@victorgiovanetti8297]

Dude, your job is awesome! It's helping me a lot!

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks! Keep me posted and let me know if you have any questions or video requests!!

[@swannyonstage3693]

This is amazing. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@WizardOfArc]

It amazes me that this screamy sound is from vocal fry. 😮

[@chrisliepe]

right?!? well, fry and moderating air pressure from your support system... but ya, it is crazy.

[@pedrokoury1352]

ooo i was just writing about that! Guess Chris answered my question right here.

[@pedrokoury1352]

ooo i was just writing about that! Guess Chris answered my question right here.

[@christiansmakingmusic777]

Thanks for this, Chris. Just getting mixed voice to work well and starting to learn how to make it fry.

[@Karmic16]

Yes just yes this is exactly what I’ve been looking for!!!

[@apollon5469]

I liked and subscribed You are God sent

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks for the sub!

[@yuridanylko]

Awesome, somebody who explains what to do instead of just lingering on *just* safety.

[@valisvolkova3710]

Great video, thank you!

[@VaultVenturer]

Great Lesson Chris. Greetings from 🇧🇷

[@cantrelband]

This is great 👍🏾 Thank You

[@MikBurlak]

FRY!!!!!

[@absolado126tr]

I'm Japanese!!!!!

[@cantrelband]

You Rock Brother 🤘🏾

[@humanbeing2217]

You ARE AWESOME I really enjoy your videos' both learning and laughing too!! fun Stuff! THANK YOU!

[@whoisnurlan]

thank you, i love you so muchhh

[@ScienceofLogicTV]

"Firelips - Everybody Wants To Win" is one of the best examples of how this technique sounds in perfection.

[@eliasheitmann2652]

05:47 so happy, so proud

[@ulfrik7825]

gonna get your vocal course "Aggressive singing"))) By the way, I successfully graduated the courses "discover your voice" and "mixed voice". Your videos are gold on youtube)))

[@chrisliepe]

Nice!! Congrats!!! So glad you’ve found value in the lessons in the courses and KZbin!

[@pedrokoury1352]

So: 1.) Start with compression 2.) Add fry 3.) Enter voice break territory 4.) Push further 5.) Project outwards through the mask Please correct me or add info if i'm wrong! 😃

[@chrisliepe]

You've got it! It takes practice to make it happen on cue for sure, but that's the process!

[@SeleckPlays]

I took me a long while, but I finally understand what this feels like when I'm singing high notes.

[@junaidesse]

This kinda shit keeps you going through your journey. Gives you ureka moments and motivation to continue your singer journey with zeal. I'm gonna support you for you amazing work when I'm able to earn dough through my craft. Sorry that sounds flimsy right now, but just wanted to point out what your content is doing for people. It could just be the most important thing in their lives for them. Thank you. In gratitude for your craft.

[@chrisliepe]

Kind words. Thank you!

[@ElRubio864]

2:13 Are you ok?? 😂😂😂 Nice video, thanks a lot, the problem is family hearing the weird exercises

[@andrewsado]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!CHRIIIIIIIIS!

[@andregueta]

Cant believe i just discovered this channel

[@chrisliepe]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for being here! :)

[@Dhakadice]

These two points in the video basically unlocked everything for me: 4:57

[@lyanakolivoshko656]

Hi Chris! You're the first vocal coach among many others, whose tips really work for me! Thank you so much for explaining step by step how does the fry scream work and how should it feel if one does it properly - it helped a lot! But I still have a tiny issue - as I try to add fry to my mixed voice, it just turns to pure fry scream, so I can't help my voice to sound gritty( what can go wrong?

[@chrisliepe]

takes some time to get that feel to do tones/pitches and fry... I cover this a LOT in my course. You can check it out at chrisliepe.com if you want :)

[@kirankhuman4839]

Cmon guys Chris deserve 1 M + subscribers.

[@chrisliepe]

I agree! :)

[@s.kanessuperbiatv6464]

Just as I'm about to suggest a specific video for Chris Liepe to make, I find out Chris Liepe has already made a video on it xD

[@navestrauss7275]

Would be awesome if you did a study of Roger Daltrey at some point. One of the best rock n roll screams ever! And a range to boot!

[@dankrisofficial]

U r good, reaally good!! Can u do some sebastian bach? Like "i remember you" at the last part of the song which is absolutely high which i wanted to learn.

[@RockStAR-qp3zu]

I needed this I need some grit and distortion I can’t sing Ronnie James dio without sounding like girl wish my voice would deepen already but now I got this video I can learn how to do distortion and add grit

[@zoranpavlovic9540]

After following your videos, specially vocal fry tips I manage to improve high heavy metal pitch using vocal fry. Not that extreme gritty 'metalcore' scream but it works for true metal. Don't feel any strain + I sing Judas Priest but without mimic Halford since Halford is Halford and no one can sound as he did at his prime. Want myown voice :) You're freakin' amazing!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@chrisliepe]

This is GREAT to hear man!!! Keep it up and keep me posted. I'm so glad you're learning, happy with how your voice is improving and your excitement is awesome!

[@zoranpavlovic9540]

@@chrisliepe You really rock! 🤘 I can post you some record. Started really from nothing...at my 46 and now 47 :) They say it's impossible but it is in fact ;) Far away from perfect but there are those which sound worst than me :) Keep on rockin'!!! ✌️👊

[@enzoqueijao]

I like to watch vocal lesson videos to see people screaming things like "YEAHHHHHHH! FRYYYYYY! YEAHHHH!!! FRYYYYYYYY!!!!"

[@billybobthornton9668]

FINALLY! A video on how to go super Saiyan 😂 Chris working to fulfill multiple childhood dreams 👌😂

[@emkstr]

I've been singing for ages and have had enough classical and broadway training for a lifetime despite rock being my true passion. I can do a vocal fry just fine and understand/can use my different registers just fine. Why can't I do any of the other screaming and distortion skills you show? Soooo frustrating. I would love a video geared specifically at women and unique problems we may experience trying to scream and distort that men may not face.

[@Ravenlee]

you sound just like freddie Mercury😱🔥

[@lucadi-rito6193]

4:35 when bender can’t find his space buddy

[@josephmusic9265]

you sound almost exactly like the rev when you sing higher notes

[@chrisliepe]

I like that :)

[@pedrokoury1352]

EDIT: Chris answered my question in a reply to an earlier comment. He said "right?!? well, fry and moderating air pressure from your support system... but ya, it is crazy.". So that "something" I was referring to was air modulation from the support system. Amazes me too how mature it sounds coming from him. ------ I think I got it but your mixed distortion sounds a lot more dense and round, which makes me think I'm using only fry. What I mean is: the initial experiments (2:40) were in the chest mix which made them sound naturally dense and round. It seemed as though there was "something" plus fry. But when I go to mix I lose that mature quality - that "something". Does that something actually exist or have you taken fry to such a mature state? :) Love your videos

[@a-train5146]

Haha, coming back to this video, I had watched to a point where Chris was demonstrating a gritty mix, so the video started (before I jumped back to the beginning of basically a perfectly cut scream thing. Just thought I'd share.

[@campingwithwindsor1194]

Omg a few times u sounded like you could scream MY LEG lmaooo

[@rid4786]

Hi Chris, thanks for the great video! You always says that that the aggressive sounds doesn't hurt your voice AT ALL Is the correct sensation EXACTLY like when singing clean (almost a good a feeling on the throat) or it is ok experiencing some harshness (need of drinking water). I don't mean feeling pain but still i don't feel the throat 100% comfortable when practicing your video even when the placement of the grit is above the throat and not below. Thank you very much! Fabio

[@chrisliepe]

Yes, I think of it as "heat" in the upper throat (above the larynx) That is totally fine. :)

[@Dadaadad268]

Reminds me of seeing Skid Row live at Wembley Stadium. Seb Bach would talk to the crowd using a tonne of fry! (At the time I thought it was shouting!) It was weird seeing this pretty boy with such an evil sounding voice! It would be great if you did a lesson on him as he often flipped between a super clean high head voice and evil grit!!

[@chrisliepe]

Great suggestion!

[@alexrolletta9833]

Thank you! This is the exact problem I’m having - my higher notes sounding too “pretty” and “nice.” I can do the “talking” fry, and I’m confident in my mixed voice, but I still can’t apply fry to any of those notes. Do you have any more coaching cues for fry? I need more power in my higher notes. I’m an experienced guitarist and punk rock enthusiast, and I’m transitioning to doing my own vocals, and going to a studio to record this year. Thank you for your time! I’ve been watching a lot of your videos 🤘🏼

[@amazin444]

damn video woke me up

[@Maxim_BornDivided]

Hey Chris, do you use glottal compression for distorted vocals ? I've been doing that without failure for years but I like your approach !

[@CarryShout91]

well I can do vocal fry on most of my range but applying the pressure from my ''support'' muscles does't make the fry grow ..my fry will either just become a bit louder but in the same quality (same rasp sounds) ..or it will disappear ...is this a matter of practice and time or am I doing it wrong? ...i'm feeling it above cords and my voice doesn't hurt

[@RandomDude501s]

I'm not even reach that "FRY or YEAH" word in clean vocal. Thanks for sharing.

[@chrisliepe]

Give it some time! :)

[@saladinhodzic5701]

Damn i like to watch this singing tutorials even if i cant use them cause my house is full of people,btw very cool tutorial

[@valentinociancia8645]

Really helpful! Thanks! I've only one question! Studying and watching so many videos on KZbin, about vocal distortion, so many teachers speak about the difference between vocal fry distortion and false cords distortion! In this video I can clearly hear the vocal fry, and Togheter an activation of false cords! Am I wrong? I would Just to understand better this little thing! Because I've got a lot of confusion in my head! :)

[@Veintore]

i really struggle getting the fry up. i can only get fry when i go down from my speaking voice. its hard to move it from there

[@danmenez]

This video is like a bible. I always come back to it.

[@jessebrock7859]

You should do a Devin Townsend video breakdown. That dude is doing so much stuff and a lot of people have questions lol

[@haroldiniho726]

Ok so pretty much with all your videos on this today I managed to get it, but I have a question, it doesn’t hurt but I can almost feel the vibration is that right or should I take a step back and re evaluate, the feeling is more in the top of the throat/mouth Btw you are by far the best teacher on KZbin 👍🤘

[@chrisliepe]

Glad the videos are helping! I'm not sure I can answer your question without hearing you through. Have you thought about joining any of my courses? I can offer you better answers and feedback there!

[@chidisimo23]

So this is where I'm at: At this point I already know how to scream and use distortion, and I can control the amount of distortion I want to use on my low notes (mostly thanks to Liepe btw, so thank you), but when I try to go on the high notes, it's either full distortion or no distortion at all, any tips?

[@Drarck_]

Damn this is hard, especially for someone with a low register like me xd thanks for the video

[@brianlove6953]

It’s not about sounding just like him, it’s about taking the techniques he’s teaching here to apply to your own voice and explore your own voice. So use these techniques in, “your“ higher register.

[@declanludick3022]

Do you by any chance have a singing course?

[@eugeneheats]

but you using falls folds after you adding more power in the voice, there is less of fry or maybe it doesnt including at all

[@mrbouncelol]

I agree, he is using fry to get good cord closure and therefore allowing him to compress, ie increase subglottal pressure with the aid of support. Also, when he mentions that nasally voice I hear twang being addee instinctively. So when you take a good balanced easy phonation, then add compression, support, and twang, you can now add false fold distortion which is what he is doing. So his workflow works, but the final distortion is at the level of falze folds not true folds as in fry (which cannot be healthily mixed with clean tone singing). However getting the false folds to work without adding constriction from other muscles is something many clean singers find difficult, my self included.

[@VladFreimann]

Thank you Chris! Really helpful. However, how can I be sure that I won’t damage my voice trying these techniques?

[@chrisliepe]

Here's how: Remember to always listen to your body and put FEEL before sound. Great tone will follow a good response for your body. It IS easy to do this stuff wrong, but you won't hurt yourself if you don't FORCE yourself to continue to do things wrong. Make sure you're always listening and being intensely introspective whenever you're singing, not just in these "advanced" techniques. It's funny, sometimes I have more of a hard time remembering to release tension and make sure I'm not working against myself with 'easier' songs these days. Especially when I'm doing something live and I don't have the comfort of the studio around me.

[@VioletIceFire]

I feel that part of my problem is that while I luckily have just naturally decided to incorporate vocal fry in my voice to add grit sometimes (nice to hear im not damaging anything) I cant always access vocal fry when I want to its like if I can feel it in the moment I do it but if I actively tried to place it in particular parts of lyrics I cant do it T.T I appreciate your help so much!!

[@anatoly1239]

Hi Chris! Discovered your channel very recently, enjoying it a lot, already made some breakthroughs (like hitting a G#5 in mixed voice). Question about grit/distortion: the one you are showing here I'd describe as "dry" / "metally". Do you have videos on the more "wet"/gurgle-y/blue-sy type? Thanks!

[@chrisliepe]

I do! Search my "In The Style of" Playlist... I'm certain you'll find what you're looking for there :)

[@networkteneverydaysoaps8792]

Are you still able to create a playlist for your grit singing videos?

[@chrisliepe]

Yes!

[@nicozi3664]

wish you could do a video on the technique of riley gale (power trip). can't really tell if it's fry or false chord or neither :D

[@lennartvangensinnerud7923]

I can go up high without breaking by pulling chest, but I think I might be doing to much in my throat, idk.. There’s a break if I don’t watch my coordination, so the mix voice would be really great to learn, but I don’t know what it should feel like or sound like in my head, so I’m kinda stuck with my pulled chest 😅

[@starfaith721]

Tbh it actually sounds like you are progressing from a vocal fry to a fry scream to a false cord

[@invertedfjord]

Hey Chris, Does this technique work for single quick notes? Or is it longer notes that are always eased into?

[@jamestatevanceofficial]

Bro liked the question and didn’t answer😞

[@MrArchie800]

This is NOT a trick question, I'm practicing this and slowly getting the 'feel' but why is this easier to hit when I've been drinking alcohol? (edit) I'm not straining more but my voice seems to go into fry at any pitch easier when I've had even a little alcohol. Thanks! p.s. your tutorials are great!

[@chrisliepe]

Because you’re not overthinking anything!! I have the same freedom with a little alcohol

[@MrArchie800]

@@chrisliepe Good point - cheers.

[@slitter4606]

same here lol

[@justinbond9467]

Whenever he’s recording himself singing to a track, he approaches and backs away from the mic like he’s getting ready to fight someone lol!

[@chrisliepe]

hehe... it's a confrontational conversation with the mic!

[@ryuuzSd]

Hey, i have a problem ( don't know if this is a problem or not yet) but it seems like i can't control the fry in my upper registers. Meaning that the higher i go; my voice's options are solely limited to fry. Any recommendation of excercices to better work on it ?