Growl, Scream, Distortion: What MRI and High-Speed Imaging Reveal About Rough Vocals!
Thursday 5th February 2026, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (London Time)
The terminology used to describe rough vocal qualities remains far less standardized and considerably less researched than the concepts established in Western classical singing pedagogy. Terms such as vocal fry, fry scream, grunt, death growl, distortion, rattle, and undertone are widely used in contemporary and extreme vocal styles, yet their underlying physiological mechanisms are often inconsistently defined in both pedagogical and scientific contexts.
From an acoustic and voice-physiological perspective, the voice production mechanisms grouped under the umbrella term rough vocals represent a particularly fascinating field of study. Many of these vocal qualities involve double oscillation mechanisms, in which the true vocal folds oscillate in interaction with additional anatomical structures of the vocal tract, such as the ventricular folds or aryepiglottic tissues. These interactions result in complex vibratory patterns that strongly influence perceived sound quality.
This course examines a range of rough vocal mechanisms from a scientific yet practice-oriented perspective. The analysis is based on data from high-speed videoendoscopy as well as three-dimensional vocal tract configurations obtained through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). By integrating physiological imaging with acoustic analysis, the course provides insight into how different rough vocal qualities are produced and how they differ in terms of vibratory behavior, laryngeal configuration, and vocal tract shaping.
Based on these data, a functional classification of rough vocal mechanisms into distinct groups is proposed. Particular emphasis is placed on distinguishing mechanisms that allow for efficient and sustainable voice production from those that may increase vocal load if applied without appropriate technical control.
Throughout the course, scientific findings are directly linked to vocal pedagogy and clinical practice, supporting informed artistic expression while promoting long-term vocal health.
Dr Louisa Traser
Dr. Louisa Traser is a senior consultant, voice scientist, and trained singer at the Freiburg Institute for Musicians’ Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg. Her clinical work focuses on phoniatrics, with particular expertise in the care of professional voice users and phonosurgery.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
Tuesday 5th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 12th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 19th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 26th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9th June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Music Theory Fundamentals for Voice Pedagogues
Dr David Cane
Voice pedagogy has advanced significantly in the last decades in relation to knowledge of the vocal apparatus (anatomy and mechanics), acoustics, and performance psychology (to name just a few subfields) – this is a wonderful thing! Nonetheless, musicianship and the foundations of music theory are still relevant to the teaching and coaching of singers and this course aims to empower voice teachers and coaches with skills to support the fundamental musicianship development of their students.
Thursday 14th May 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 15th May 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Vocal Health Challenges for Actors and Singers!
Leda Scearce
Two part course! Vocal health principles are inextricably and symbiotically linked with singing and acting voice pedagogy: Good vocal health allows the singer and actor to more easily and effectively achieve their technical and artistic goals, and good teaching reinforces vocal technique that diminishes the risk of vocal injury. We now also recognize the necessity for singers and actors to understand how their instruments work, how to take care of their voices, and what to do when something goes wrong. Singing and acting teachers are indeed on the front lines of vocal health!
Tuesday 19th May 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Staging A Coup: History meets science for the coup de la glotte!
Kourtney Austin
Historical vocal pedagogy, voice science, voice health, and performance practice come together in this presentation from Kourtney Austin! The session addresses the historical context for teaching the onset as a fundamental skill, along with a review of a recent publication examining the acoustic effects of different types of onset, and practical studio implementation of onset training. The aforementioned publication is the first known research to objectively measure the acoustic implications of the coup de la glotte, and delineate it from the hard glottal attack.