Vocal Coach Explains: Chester Bennington of Linkin Park

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In general, I try to stick with current and/or up-and-coming vocalists here on the Voicehacks channel, but every once in awhile I have so many requests for a legendary vocalist that I have to talk about them. That's certainly the case with today's vocalist, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. This is the first vocalist I've broken down and explained posthumously (may he rest in peace!). Chester left us with an incredible musical and vocal legacy and that's why so many of you requested this analysis and explanation of his techniques. Today's video covers what made Chester's vocals so great and what someone would need to do to begin learning these techniques.
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[@voicehacks]

Thanks for watching, everyone! 🎤 Be the first to join my new vocal coaching program: voicehacks.co 🎤 💻 Learn to Scream with me - Book Lessons on Zoom here: voicehacksllc.simplybook.me 🎧 Listen to The Voicehacks Podcast: voicehackspodcast.com

[@christophermondaini]

i want to ask you a couple of questions and eventually start doing some coaching with you. where can i contact you?

[@genkimonkeygaming3027]

Chester is such a legend. We will never forget him.

[@ikaros110]

Sings like an angel, screams like a demon. Thats how we know him. Rest in Peace, Chester Bennington.

[@sakaldeogoswami7803]

A girl wrote it and i agree 👍

[@dustinsterling3248]

I'm stoked for the 20 year anniversary re-release of Hybrid Theory coming out in October (I believe) Chester and LP were one of the primary bands that got me into the heavier stuff when I was in late middle school and throughout highschool. RIP Chester

[@gsusfrk333]

His scream was so musical. There was a vocal quality to it.

[@juliettemcgee9055]

He has amazing cleans and screams. RIP Chester 😢 Thank you for this, Mary ❤

[@thaisbandeiragvm7847]

He’s my all time favourite singer! He is a LEGEND! And what an angel...

[@aliyabolotbekkyzy7689]

I was lucky enough to attend Linkin park concert and Stone temple pilots show when Chester was their vocalist. I am a fan of both bands and was a bit nervous that Chester would change original key for some STP songs because Scott Weiland's voice is just so much more deeper. But Chester didn't do that. He sang low and sounded amazing. He truly was not only an extremely talented vocalist, but a versatile one too. RIP

[@TheHeroSaver]

I'll forever cherish him, it's hard to hear how people talk about him after he passed. I even have their first CDs still in my car that I've had for 10 years

[@JohanaPage]

About time someone in the scream community gave Chester the acknowledgement he deserves. Thank you ♥

[@breath9235]

No one can't beat this guys vocal cords his gonna be always a legend

[@spirefactsyt5559]

This video is EXACTLY what I needed. And I was willing to ask you something. Do you personally think Chester used a lot of mixed voice, or did he push his belting chesty register all the way up to where he sung because of his naturally high voice? If you compare a Chester's B4 to a Baritone like Chris Cornell's B4, Chester sounds super chesty, and Cornell has that beautiful light mix. Thoughts on Chester's mix? :)

[@podrickfookinpayne2329]

Chris was also a tenor, just a lower one.

[@cjbartoz]

Chester Bennington was a lyric tenor and possessed a three octave tenor vocal range, beginning at the low bass G (G2), and reaching its peak at the tenor G (G5). His vocals showed tremendous durability for the entirety of his career.

[@cjbartoz]

Chester Bennington had the same vocal coach as Michael Jackson, namely Seth Riggs. In an interview Seth Riggs did with redbullmusicacademy he talked about working with him: Q: You worked with Tina Turner on Tommy - can you talk about what that experience was like, preparing her to sing “Acid Queen?” A: I was introduced to her by Ann-Margret, whom I also was working with. She would only be singing [imitates Tina Turner’s upper register], that kind of thing. And she says, “People really love that.” I say “Yes, but it’s abuse.” And I said “Of course, with the money that you have made and the young men that you’ve married, you can pay for anything. You don’t have to sing that, but it would help you if you used [singing in a lower chest register].” She said “Yeah, but that doesn’t give you the character that this does.” I said “I know it doesn’t, but that’s what people do that want to save their voices for a longer term.” That’s sort of the same thing that Michael did when he went [impersonates a Michael Jackson shriek]. But he goes in the chest and then flips into falsetto so he wouldn’t hurt himself. Look at this young man that just killed himself, hung himself. Chester [Bennington]. I showed Chester this. He said “But that’s so easy.” I said, “Chester, you have a wonderful facility, but look. We’re sitting in a car now right? Who is that little baby and that lady sitting over there?” He said “That’s my baby and her nurse.” “I see. And who is the lady with the older child sitting in front of her?” “That’s my child, my older child, and my wife.” “What kind of a car are we sitting in?” “We’re sitting in a Mercedes-Benz.” I said, “How much was it?” He said “This was a special one. The fellow didn’t have the money for it and we got it on sale.” But I said, “How much?” He said, “$150,000.” I said, “Wouldn’t you like to continue this, the way you have it now?” I didn’t know about the other things that plagued him, because I had to read about what they were. We didn’t get into that. I’m not a psychiatrist. But I said, “Could you do it? I know that you pull up a lot of chest when you do it the old way, but the new way, you don’t. So, make you a deal. Get me half and half. Do it ‘half-bad.’” He said “OK, I’ll try that.” It gets them the character they want but without killing their voice.

[@cjbartoz]

How do you define singing? Well, artistically speaking, singing is using your voice in a musical manner to communicate ideas and emotions to an audience. Technically, however, singing is nothing more than sustained speech over a greater pitch and dynamic range. “The key to singing well is the ability to always maintain a speech level production of tone-one that stays connected from one part of your range to another. You don’t sing like you speak, but you need to keep the same comfortable, easily produced vocal posture you have when you speak so that you don’t reach up for high notes or press down for low ones. This takes time and patience to coordinate everything so that you can do it well. A teacher needs to know how to get each of his students to sing through his or her range in a connected, easy manner, without any “breaks” or sudden changes of tone quality. This is Speech Level Singing.” - Seth Riggs How do you classify a singer’s voice? It’s wrong to prematurely classify a voice before you really get to know what it can do. Too often, existing range is the sole determining factor in placing a singer into a certain category. The most important factor to consider is the basic quality of the voice. Assuming that your speaking voice is clear and unforced, your singing voice should be based on the quality of that speaking voice. What do you expect the performing range of singers to be once they have studied with you? Everyone has a different vocal ability, but, on the average: · Basses should be able to sing low E to G above middle C. · Baritones should be able to sing low G to B natural just below the Tenor high C. · Tenors should be able to sing C (below middle C) to E above high C. · Altos should be able to sing low C (below middle C) to high C. · Mezzo-Sopranos should be able to sing G (below middle C) to Eb above high C. · Sopranos should be able to sing G (below middle C) to F above high C. All voices should be able to maintain a connected, speech-level production of tone throughout their entire range. Aren’t those extremely high notes for voices in those classifications? They shouldn’t be if the larynx stays resting in a relaxed, stable speech-level position, allowing your vocal cords to adjust freely with your breath flow. Those pitches are well within the technical ability of a great many more people than you’d think. They may not sustain those notes constantly, but they should be able to sing them with good technique. This way they will always have a reserve of notes beyond the usual range requirements of any song they sing. How do you determine what the tone quality of a singer’s voice should be? A singer’s tone should be determined by his or her own individual vocal anatomy and not a predetermined ideal held by a teacher - or the student, for that matter! It should be a blend of the top, middle, and bottom resonance qualities that results when the singer’s larynx remains in a relaxed, stable position. Do you have to change your tone production when you perform different moods and styles? No! Most differences in singing styles are built into the music itself - the sequence of notes and certain conventions of singing that are popular during a particular place and time in history. When you adjust your voice to accomplish certain tonal “ideals,” you run the risk of interfering with your speech-level tone production, which is very dangerous to your vocal health. Your voice can, however, be “colored by your mind.” If you are thinking about what you are singing, there will be slight differences in your delivery, not in your basic production. What is the difference between projection and shouting? Projection is the acoustical phenomenon that occurs when you produce your tone with an efficient balance of air and muscle. Shouting, on the other hand, implies the usage of air “blast,” which causes your voice to “jam up.” Why should I bother so much about my tone quality if I’m going to be singing with a microphone? Electronic amplification and alteration of your voice have an important place in the communication and entertainment media, but they must not be thought to replace healthy and efficient vocal production. Everything you need to know about this is contained in the book/cd combo Seth Riggs published named: Singing for the Stars: A Complete Program for Training Your Voice

[@cjbartoz]

Here you can watch an interview with Seth Riggs where he gives lots of tips and useful information: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXi1doRsbJV_qLc

[@nickx1754]

Lincoln Park really holds a nostalgic place in my heart. I was never a huge fan but certainly liked a few songs. My respect for them and Chester only seems to grow in time.

[@przemysawkuleczko5812]

Can we get M. Shadows analysis? :D

[@-xlntc91x-]

I'd love to get an analysis that compares his voice in around 2010 with his voice nowadays because his technique changed a lot.

[@jonathanvieira9639]

I'm glad you left the 18 sec scream!❤️

[@andycoslet6479]

Chester's voice drew me in. The songs are what hooked me

[@larissaswayze]

I am currently binge watching your videos. I watch a lot of vocal coach channels and yours is the only one that really breaks down the techniques and uses a variety of terminology (not chest head voice/chest voice and that’s it). I love it! I’ve learned so much already. Time to watch more 🤩

[@voicehacks]

That’s awesome! And my goal to be more clear about things which is why I hate the terms chest and head voice because they’re more confusing not less haha

[@vreshita224]

I love chester Bennington❤

[@metalflower9543]

Aww Chester! Rip! 💔

[@wheres_galdo]

For any of you interested, Trashboat did an amazing cover of Given up and replicated chester’s 18 second scream extremely well. RIP Chester.

[@FierceMotorworks]

If men with high vocal ranges is considered special and unique, is the opposite true for women with low vocal ranges (Jinjer & Alyssa White/Arch Enemy as examples)?

[@voicehacks]

Yep!

[@andrewcollet3717]

@@voicehacks Is that also the reason why bruno mars/mj are so much appreciated vocally?

[@roelandmusic3314]

@@andrewcollet3717 yeah, high pitch is always a thing. But if you have an incredibly unique tone in your voice and you can sing perfectly in tune whole using it, you'll be recognized too

[@GERTOV90]

Best video ever tk u for react to Chester legend Bennington

[@mattstorer4638]

I'd like to see you do a video on Anthony Green of Circa Survive and Saosin. If where talking about counter tenor male vocalists that dude is an absolute beast!!

[@toothpaste9203]

What a legend

[@bat613reincarnated]

Rest in Peace

[@maycolespitia6459]

Siempre amaré y extrañaré a Chester. Muchas gracias por hablar sobre las técnicas de semejante eminencia de cantante 🖤

[@alexandersvensson3965]

Would be awesome if you could listen to/analyze Tim McIlrath from Rise Against!

Awesome!!! I was just wondering what range of voice had Chester bennington and voilà!!! You read my mind!!! Now I hope you will dedicate a reaction/explanation video about Nils Molin... Another wonderful tenor voice!!!

[@ethanharrisonn]

Awesome video! I loved it:) you should break down M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold, very good vocalist in the earlier years both soft and scream

[@rizaacosta8172]

Subscribe because of this video of Chester 😍

[@solomonlepcha]

metal music is the best background music to talk over XD

[@teutonicknight3471]

Awesome video! Please Joakim Broden next, please! He really has weird technique(s) that make him sound really unique and therefore awesome.

[@drspody]

Great video!! I would like to see something about mr Lordi!

[@ricblademaster]

Russel Allen Pleeeeease! Ty for your vids!

[@miketreadwell3640]

That was actually a very good insight! I can tackle A Perfect Circle and Incubus and I've amazed myself, however I can't hit those high notes and have to transpose down lol 💁‍♂️ Also been a whole of doing grit aaand still trying to master it. But like everything, it takes time and practice

[@goldskinn]

Would love to see you react to Jarred Deans different type of metal screams next :)

[@jagdkotze]

Jan-Chris de Koeijer from GOREFEST. They were a dutch death metal band in late 90s and again early 2000s. God his voice was so different by the time. "Erase" was one of their bigger Nuclear Blast hits but u can check out his live performance "The Eindhoven Insanity (Live audio)" kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqStl62rhLVlgZY old school death metal, so deep, so raspy \m/

[@hahahadracula]

You should check out Triptykon, Dark Fortress and Keep of Kalessin. they all have really unique vocals.

[@jhipp6009]

Jesus finally! Yesss!

[@amysykes3227]

a breakdown on oli sykes plisss. and also in their older songs i wanna try and make that sound

[@RexySmith]

I wish you could do an analysis of Maria Brink's voice :)

[@gideonhansen5485]

Do Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw.

[@whitesox1981]

i wish one of the youtube vocal coaches would react to qwerty live it seems so amazing to me i do not get why none have

[@Bhslion]

I’m not convinced that there’s anyone that could come close to Chester. Especially during the early 2000’s. He was miles ahead of literally everyone else.

[@littleblackshape9150]

Singers who sound not just like hell but also heaven and vice versa are more exciting and can express more emotions.

[@vaniadanilkin3843]

ok the scream is cool and all but at 4:07 when he said ''up'' i got goosebumps

[@777666hxc]

Came here after listening to the punk rock NBA 🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@mathewestrada7486]

ohhhhhhhh please break down Brendon Urie!!!

[@sakaldeogoswami7803]

Let me tell you.. There will be no one like Chester.. Never

[@ruddyoficial]

Great video! Do Amy Lee of Evanescence. 🤘❗

[@Sleepyboiwonder]

Another juxtaposition is Rolo Tomassi. So good

[@ElEternaut4]

he is not a high tenor, i dont think so. he sings in head voice when he sings high. I can sing his songs and can sing a low F note

[@mrmooch2163]

Freddie mercury! If you haven't already. Specifically his rock voice

[@Cicadastudio]

I love u...I need to get marry with u

[@Omarbg95]

Yeah i know linkin park songs are difficult but not impossible wuhaha what's up with my goosebumps?

[@llcbsc5945]

I mean, really? Not to disrespect Chester Bennington, but he was really not that amazing. On record he sounded pretty alright (although screams lacking in range) but live he was very inconsistent. There are tons of more talented vocalists in the metal scene with a broader range of meaner screams as well as much richer high cleans. Both on record and live. People confuse great song writing with great vocals all the time. Chester was a really talented song writer but merely a decent vocalist. It's clear you only made this video to pander to your audience and market your vocal lessons, which is kinda sad. As an expert you know that his technique was lacking.

[@Duskwalker68]

Chester is the reason I got into metal, his unique voice really made a huge difference in my life. Wish he were still here with us.

[@metalflower9543]

Same

[@gsusfrk333]

No doubt.

[@Lvs680]

Same ..

[@Lvs680]

He still lives in our ❤

[@tsfbaf303]

I grew up listening to classical music because of my parents, then someone in school held a speech about Linkin Park and showed some songs as examples and it instantly clicked with my musical taste. So yeah, it got me into rock too

[@eugeneimbangyorteza]

"If you don't have a naturally high voice, try singing in lower key first". Chris Cornell: Hold my mic

[@voicehacks]

Definitely one of the best exceptions to that! 🤘

[@linkinchris603]

After that 17 sec scream he followed it with a high note fucking insane chester is a demigod of vocals

[@regenamiles5011]

Absolutely!!!

[@Maiden_Warrior_Crone]

Chester's voice kept me alive through some dark times. So much love for the man.

[@Driftingmoo]

Same ! ❤️

[@DanielSmith-pq4yc]

His breath support was incredible to anyone has ever tries to sing a linkin park song will know this. He just had a natural ability to play with his voice. People often forget your voice is an instrument.

[@regenamiles5011]

Man, he did vocal gymnastics

[@TheBeast-LPTV]

​@@regenamiles5011what is that? Is that some sort of training your stamina and your vocal?

[@DELTAFUTURE777]

Please give us excercises to train our voice exactly like Chester..

[@voicehacks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoqrm4CKeLuartU

[@ButBigger42]

I remember when One Step Closer came out. I loved it but thought for sure they were a one hit wonder. Damn was I ever wrong. Hit after hit after hit. Was glad to be wrong about it.

[@eric_018]

We miss you Chester!

[@theelestat1981]

Linkin park is the reason why I got into Rock. Plus their lyrics have a lot of meaning I can relate to. To hear chester go soft to loud is just so amazing. One of the most talented person and gifted. Who is missed dearly by us fans

[@matheusimon7316]

I would love to see some Adam Grontier from three days grace as well

[@MrKiraBR]

Chester Bennington molded over 90% of who I'm today. He's simply my hero and I'm sure, that applies to many, many people world wide. Miss him forever.

[@Driftingmoo]

Dude you spoke for many of us ! Chesters death crushed me he was my hero and always will be

[@mish711]

Chester called it “scringing” ... 🖤 miss him so much

[@kaley01yt88]

Chester is by far the best Vocalist of our Generation Hands Down ....

[@marioCazares]

I've always wondered how Tyler from Twenty One Pilots does his screams because it almost sounds like there is a note in it but I'm not really sure. His song Goner is a good reference. Also thanks for uploading these breakdowns!

[@snax087]

love and miss chester. My intro to metal/numetal when i was 13. I vote for a review of maynard james keenan of tool

[@heribertodelgado4655]

Chester is the main inspiration behind all the music I create. His voice and lyrics will forever be remembered as one of the best and that makes me so happy! So cool to see you cover him 🤘

[@Taylor1err]

the mans mixed voice was amazing

[@RickRockerMusic]

He’s definitely a counter tenor, the highest male range. I tried singing “Numb” for the first time today and had to Google his vocal range afterwards because it was just so uncomfortable for me (a tenor) to sing the song for a sustained period of time. He’s even more amazing than I initially thought. Props to this legend.🙌🏼🤘🏼

[@trevors1989]

Chester was also able to transition from from singing to screaming like it was nothing and so smoothly like in his live performance of qwerty

[@goukhongsai3796]

Sing like an angel scream like a demon

[@ReedJksn]

im inspired by him,,and im doing an album,gonna release too soon in my channel,, thank you Chester 🖤

[@chayanpanchal2553]

Thank you for this video.❤️. I was waiting for this one. Chester is my inspiration.💕. Please make a video on Oliver Sykes too. The way he sings in different textures and screams, Everyone will love to know more about his technique and also there are only few video on youtube about his singing style.

[@slorr55]

The beauty of chesters screams is that be always held the note under the scream, it added that extra beauty Can you explain the range of Mike Patton?

[@picklemun9770]

May we get a Chris Cornell screaming tutorial?

[@tommysmusic5384]

I've been learning to scream for the past couple weeks and last night on mushrooms with some buddys I fucking NAILED the part from given up and my god was it ever the most satisfying feeling in the world!! Absolutely fucking insane!!!!

[@mj-vz6km]

4:06 Mike was always so proud of Chester. 🙏♥ R.I.P CHESTER 👑

[@Powerslide15]

Linkin Park is my gateway drug into metal music, and still my favorite.

[@Spnkk]

RIP Chester. He helped and still is helping me through all my dark times

[@mattstarkbodybuilding9495]

if you want to sing like Chester you have to sing high

[@eddieeeeeee69]

Can you react/breakdown Anthony Green?

[@evanebodart5746]

Chester is a legend

[@CyclesAreSingularities]

i may be biased but i genuinely think he is the best singer ever. not only does he have some of the best screams i have heard he also has that incredibly singing voice that is so unique to him. but most importantly is his emotion, he carried around so much pain throughout his live and that emotion is something that you cannot fake. and thats what makes him the best IMO, when he does his vocals something magical happens that i have never heard in someone else's voice.

[@hotice951]

you should react to Brody Dalle. if chester is my favorite male vox, Brody is the female

[@dfrservices6974]

Please make a video on Oliver Sykes

[@Ezq_Can]

Idk why but this made me want to go listen to My December and Given Up (live). Bye...

[@makeyourself1988]

You should do one on Brandon Boyd from Incubus too. He has a great voice.

[@leane7902]

Quelqu’un peut me traduire 😅

[@JohanaPage]

What is hilarious is it might take someone years to try to replicate his fry scream and all the techniques, but Chester literally demoed for Shinoda on a tape, and they were all in awe of him, little did they know that was the first time he had every screamed on a song right before hybrid theory, and he also right before our eyes got progressively better ♥ .

[@cjbartoz]

He also screamed in his previous band Grey Daze.

[@merghost6047]

Hello and we are the Linkin Park Soldiers 😂 we are very persistent and are absolutely obsessed with Chester

[@mandiantonucci13]

Chester IS ETHEREAL! My counterpart! 😇 Thank U for this!

[@solid5502]

Rush got me into rock, Linkin Park got me into heavier rock, Asking Alexandria got me into metalcore.

[@jagdkotze]

second suggestion: Mypollux - Jeu kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoLSm2qbptlqsMk french band, french lyrics, but vocally worth a vocal reaction. Not want to spoil too much about it ;^) I think you could like this. The singer Lucie Lebrun was on french version of American Idol 2010.

[@alia53_30]

He is the best.......Legend never die.

[@metal13panda76]

Linkin park is one of 2 band's that helped me with my depression and saved my life