Working With a Raspy Voice

[Sharondipity]

I happen to sing sometimes when I'm by myself, but my voice is kinda raspy and a little husky (kinda like Courtney Love's). I think I have a voice more suited to punky rock than to standard top 40 stuff. If I try to sing a Whitney Houston song it's aweful, but if I sing a Hole song or a Betty Blowtorch song, it works. The rockin' stuff is what I prefer, anyways. If I were to do music, stuff like Betty Blowtorch of Hole is what I'd do. I think that stuff is more honest and expressive than any top 40 pop-ish stuff.

[froggie]

I'm the same way.

I think about trying out for American Idol, but I know I wouldn't do very well because I don't have that pop sound... (A guilty pleasure wondering "what if")

I karaoke a lot, and I can sing some Jewel but I mostly sing Joan Jett, Melissa Etheridge, stuff like that.

I wish I had a higher range, but I like singing that stuff too. And it seems that there are more songs you can sing with a "huskier" voice. Celine Dion will always be limited to a certain type of song and music style. Melissa Etheridge can sing a ballad or a rock'n song... Just depends on what you want!!

[Sharondipity]

One singer with a raspy voice is Share Ross from Bubble (she also played in Vixen in the late 80's). She manages to carry a tune, though. She's got a good voice for the good 'ol rock music she does.

[dolly_bedlum]

Another alto! Whoo!
When it comes to contemporary songs, if I want to sing comfortably, I have to sing songs that are usually reserved for males. Contemporary female singers are mostly satanic sopranos.
There's only so high I can go without being in actual physical pain... gah... anyway.

[emmyb]

Hi Ladies,

I've been meaning to join this list forever.....and finally have a chance to get set up.

I'm going to be the voice of doom here and talk about the raspy voice. I think what you are describing when you sing is a richer, or darker, heavier, voice than the satanic sopranos we all pray we don't sound like!

The lower a voice is, male or female, the richer the timbre is. Like a guitar, the thicker the strings the lower the pitch, the richer the color etc. Same thing for the voice.

What concerns me is that you describe your voice as raspy.......raspy often means damaged, and that's not good. That doesn't mean you have a cool style, it means that you will gradually be limited to what style you can sing, and possibly any singing at all. Not FUN!

Because I do vocal therapy, development and production, my goal is always to preserve the unique identity of every voice and artist I come in contact with......regardless of style. Style is a personal expression, not a way of using the voice. I then try to make sure that I can help the artist develop whatever style they want in a healthy manner........or at least show them how to recover when they overdo it.

Creativity is a lifelong process and an ongoing adventure....one doesn't want their voice to be a limited lease option..............so to speak.

My advice would to not put borders, or parameters, on what your voice can and can't do, and assume it can do anything you want it to, and develop it in that manner. When you don't get the sound, or range, or power, you want.......look to see what you might be doing to interfere with your voice. Usually it's stuff on the outside making the stuff on the inside not work well.

Best!
Mary Betj

[roksngr]

Leigh Warner from the female fronted band SLAPBACK. (SF bay area)
Check her voice out at www.slapback.net

I think they call that the "whiskey voice" right?

; )

[divagrrrl]

I am a "satanic soprano." Even when I sing lower, I have to work to get any kind of "grind" into my voice.

Range is easy for me; c to b3 (which is c below middle c, to the next-to-last b on the piano for those who don't know), but timbre is what I have to work really hard to accomplish. I would trade 1 1/2 octaves of range for more richness.

[Kerosene]

I have a low voice, not exactly 'raspy' (not since they removed the tonsils anyway) but maybe a bit growly, but my best mate/bassist has a really sweet smooth higher voice and we've found it great fun to sing together because of the contrast. What I'm saying is, enjoy what you've got, and if it seems like you're always going to produce a certain sound when you open your mouth then you can still write for that sound in whatever style you prefer. Example: (bad one, I know) but Britany Spears has one very strange voice, yet she still sells millions of washed out bland pop tunes. (sorry, claws back in) It's just a case of surrounding yourself with sympathetic musicians who love you just the way you are

btw Courtney allegedly downed neat whisky to get her voice 'right' on 'Live through this' so perhaps is your voice sounds quite that raspy all the time you ought to get it checked out.

[mywarmdecember]

i have to say, a woman vocalist with a naturally raspy voice can be somewhat comforting. you may not make it to "american idol" but then again, how do you know? i don't neccessarily know if you're looking for encouragement or an answer. as some of these people have stated, use what you've got. it could be the one thing that makes you stand out above the rest. i do recommend a vocal coach. just so that you can discover your range and progress the strength it may have. you might even want to get your throat checked out. you could have some "nodes" on your throat. this is not something to worry about, but it could be something to consider. there are plenty of vocalists who have a "raspy" voice. it's not a bad quality to have. all i can say is that men get away with a lot more vocaly than women, and if you sing from the gut full of truth and passion, that is the most inspiring, terrific thing.

[TacyTraverso]

I got a PJ Harvey voice, kinda, but sometimes it gets raspy.... when it does, it hurts me to sing to hard. Does that happen to you? How do you take care of it?

[xxxkissmedeadlyxxx]

I Usually Sing Soprano 2 But I Still Can Maintain A Doomish Raspy Voice ( I'm Like Talking About Hole & HIM )
If I Sing All Night Long I Usually Have A Raspy Kinda Voice By Morning Time

I'm going to be the voice of doom here and talk about the raspy voice. I think what you are describing when you sing is a richer, or darker, heavier, voice than the satanic sopranos we all pray we don't sound Alike!

I Usually Do Vocal Warmup Once A Week Or 3x's A Week

I Can Sing Songs That Are Usually Reserved Or Sang By Males

But I Have To Agree With What emmyb Said

Lotz Of Luck !!!!!,

~ Melinda!!! ~