False vocal folds - distortion

[metaaal]

Hey guys,

ive been working on distortion for 2 days, ive found the distortion using the aiiiirjjj lots of times a day with enough breath support, now i can acces the false folds easier. (never been able to acces them earlier) its very easy for me to create a full distorted sound (not loud).
the problem is that i cannot get loud with distiortion, even when i try to put a mode (overdrive or curbing) underneath it (which is still hard for me), it decreases in volume and sounds like its a bit airy with rasp. i can only use it in my bottom/mid range. when i try to add more twang it hurts

do the muscles attached to false vocal folds strengten by practising or is it that my underlying modes suck?
i did it for 2 days and it didn;t hurt, only when pusing or twanging to hard.

thanks!!

p.s: wanted to post a audio clip but my recording device just died

[Danny]

I'm a relative novice at this , but I had the same experience as you. For me it became obvious that you must really have strong support and use it correctly if you want to distort higher notes. So perhaps working on that may help you as well. I think you're right about adding the twang.

[metaaal]

Today i found how to combine distortion with a normal tone,

this time i sang with a higher larynx and held a tone for a few seconds.
at first i twanged and i twanged but it hurt and i didn;t get the distortion,
but i tried to twang more relaxed without tensing all muscles and i noticed that when i held to note on "i" (curbing) and eh (overdrive) and twanged with a higher larnxy i got a nice gravely sound with alot of volume that sounds awesom, expecially on overdrive.

I do notice that i need to get it in my muscle memory, cause it takes time to find it again.
i also have to put a lot of breath support and try to sing the distortion above the vocal cords, cause i notice that when i dont and i get a darker sound colour it hurts so its still hit and miss for me.

but i finally found it ill post a clip soon

@danny: thanks expeciialy on the support thing, i needed to put more in it

[Danny]

I'm so happy for you, mate. Be aware in what mode you are singing and how to manipulate the distorted vowels to fit that mode. Especially in the beginning until you get the hang of it and do it automatically. And don't sing too loud; singing with a lot of support doesn't necessarily mean singing extremely loud. Rock on!

[CVI Teaching Staff]

Great that you located a distortion with your mode of choice underneath.
Usually it requires a lot of support to add the distortion to metal modes.
At least thats how it can feel initially.
After getting accustomed to this support level, it´ll feel more and more natural to the body to locate it.

If it hurts, it is the mode underneath that is the trouble.
Do less distortion then and never take your eyes off the mode untill its secure.

Light color sure, but when you explain your twanging problems I´m thinking that you are actually impairing whatever mode you are singing in when twanging more.
So...as you say, twang more relax and maybe more emphasis on raised larynx and the tongue position.
Best of luck
Kaare