An effortless ability to change the voice from screaming to singing is an essential skill for today’s touring active rock singer.   Learning to maintain consistency without rigidity and self-consciousness is the goal of this class.  Most of today’s successful recording artists are capable of blending sounds of authentic human emotion with accurate musical pitch.  The coordination required for quality singing voice is surprisingly similar to the pressure/flow balance involved in tour sustainable screaming.  The adding of musical pitch with accuracy without losing emotional authenticity involves an additional skillsets.  This  class will include a voice type specific exercise regimen, tips on preparing for recording and/or live performance, vocal hygiene, rhythm, phrasing and collaborative song writing. Recording included.

Melissa Cross remains the undisputed choice of headliners in the hardcore, metal genre from its incubation and rise from the underground into the worldwide phenomena that defines the modern rock we hear today. After observing for years two distinct vocal mechanics utilized by her students now known as the community’s OGs , Melissa  introduced the terms “fry screaming” and “false cord” screaming in 2005. Never meant as an invitation to choose, but rather intended to inspire the coordinating of multiple strategies wherein precision and control replace emotional efforting without any loss of authenticity. This 3 hour, one time course is an intensive survey of the essential skillsets that involve the aerodynamics (breathing), source (true vocal folds) function, resonance (space in the vocal tract) and articulation (jaw, tongue, lips) involved in four different screams: Fry screaming, Hybrid, False Cord and Death.  The exercises will enable the control, stamina and integrity required to nail a headlining tour. Mimicry and imitation are the worst strategies for retaining the skill over time.   Access to the class recording is included, because continued practice over time will be in order! Learn like the best, from the best.

The Zen of Screaming is now available as a Digital Download video immediately after purchase.  This new edition is streamlined for practice, annotated, and also includes MP3 vocal exercise warmups for all vocal ranges! 

An iconic conversation with SPECIAL GUESTS!

Veteran heavyweight metal vocalists Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage, Eddie Hermida of Suicide Silence, and Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy talk with vocal sensei Melissa Cross. Don't miss this historic gift of vocal wisdom garnered by decades in the trenches with legendary vocalists in the metal genre!