Search - The Zen of Screaming: Vocal Instruction for a New Breed on DVD

Too bad this is more advertisement than lesson...

J. Atwell | Lafayette, CO United States | 10/30/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I heard Melissa Cross on NPR and immediately bought this DVD, excited to learn how to scream without hurting my voice. I was disappointed to find the disk is about 55% advertisement for Ms. Cross, 44.5% standard vocal warmups and exercises, and 1 or 2 minutes of vague information on screaming.

I'm sure the vocal warmups are helpful for those who are too "hip" to take voice lessons, but if you've ever had a voice lesson, there isn't much you haven't heard before here. If you are interested in watching various metalheads praise Melissa Cross, then you'll love this DVD. But if you already have the least bit of vocal training and just want to learn how to apply it to screaming, be aware that the material here is pretty thin."

A little Disappointed...

John Habibi | Detroit, MI | 11/07/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The information you are looking for is in here. The thing that made me disappointes is that for the most part it is an ad for Melissa Cross. She seems like an awesome teacher. I just wish that it was more information on technique than Melissa Cross plugs."

An Absolute Revelation!

Cate Clore | Davidson, NC USA | 02/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great teacher is a rare find and Melissa Cross is a gem. I have read almost every vocal technique book available and The Zen of Screaming DVD is by far the best! I had given up on being able to sing with a healthy voice until I watched this DVD. I feel like I have been given my voice back. Somehow, Melissa gives the viewer years worth of vocal lessons in a little over 2 hours. Although many of the artists on this DVD scream/sing heavily, you don't have to be a death metal singer to appreciate the information. This DVD is for anyone who wants to sing with passion, no matter the genre. Melissa breaks down the information in such a way that anyone, beginner or classically trained, can understand the basic techniques that help to make a passionate but healthy voice. This DVD is also great for anyone who speaks for their profession. It will teach you how to have a powerful voice without vocal damage. I have bought numerous items from Amazon.com, but have never felt passionately enough about them to post a review. Don't wait another minute to hit the "buy" button."

And then I pitched a scream... ...now I'm a believer!

Thomas N. Brogan | United States | 08/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The short review: Buy it and use Cross's advice and exercises!

I've had Melissa Cross's "The Zen of Screaming: Vocal Instruction for a New Breed" for about a month and the breathing exercises and the advice on "Heat and Fire" payed off for me. Today, I was able to put forth lots and lots of tortured death-metal screams and shrieks and am not only not hoarse, but was able to intersperse the screaming and yelling with clean, melodic singing. It was actually less taxing on my vocal folds and larynx than when I try to sing opera as a dramatic baritone (it took death metal screaming to tell me I'm a lighter voice - thanks, death metal and Miss Cross!). And, since I was practicing to "The Wonder Pets" theme and "What's New Pussycat?" while mowing the lawn, I probably freaked out my neighbors.

When you buy this DVD (and you are, aren't you?), please note that the actual screaming/yelling/rasping section is fairly short and it comes after a lot of segments on breathing and some vocal exercises. Do not underestimate either the importance of proper breathing nor the value of the "Heat and Fire" segment. If you've ever torn up your throat singing raspy or beyond raspy and thought screaming was a quick, dead-end stop for your singing career (even if your career would be entirely screaming), you need to learn how to breathe properly and how to use "heat" to add rasping harmonics to your voice and "fire" to make use of the false vocal folds.

Another great thing about this DVD is that Melissa Cross doesn't want to change your voice or change your singing style; she wants you to be able to do your own thing with your own voice over the course of your own lifetime. Very good stuff!"