Yes, it can.
Some vocal coaches will argue whether that is the right answer...
However, I choose not to ignore the fact that there are many singers out there who scream, shout, grunt, and distort their voices, performance after performance without causing any damage to their voice.
That means that there is a healthy way to produce these ‘noises’ / ‘dirt’ / ‘raspiness’ / high pitch screams.
Some of these singers are still active and have sung this way for over 40 years!
So instead of disavowing these vocal sounds, there are vocal methods which offer great tools to learn how to produce these aggressive noises in a safe and healthy manner.
One of them with which I work is called Complete Vocal Technique.
This method is based on one of the most up-to-date scientific research through which Catherine Sadolin, the founder of the technique, was able to ratify and prove that her assumptions were right –
Vocal effects (distortion/grunt/growl/ screams etc.) can be done healthily as long as the singer is maintaining some fundamental principles and producing the effect in the right location in the vocal tract.
Simply said:
When produced correctly, the vocal cords should produce the sung note/ pitch, and the added effect should be produced in the vocal tract ABOVE the vocal cords*
Experimenting with these effects without having good control over breath support, vocal tract adjustments, and the sense of knowing when to stop the practice and rest isn’t the most brilliant idea.
Team up with a vocal coach who has the tools to help you produce the sounds you’re looking for!
Here is a cool video about what it takes to screeaaaaamm
For more information about vocal effects visit:
*excepting creak, creaking, Â and hammer vibrato which are produced at the level of the vocal cords