How do professional artists scream without (permanently) damaging their voice or vocal cords?

I know a heavy metal singer who sings with several local bands. When he screams, he actually is singing. I don't know what he is doing physically, but I do know that he employs a very well-developed POWERFUL falsetto (he has a very wide vocal range as it is). He also knows how to work a microphone and how to set up the sound so that his voice is balanced with the loud electric instruments he has to heard above.

I also was speaking to his wife, and she said he was EXTREMELY careful about the care of his voice (he's been struggling to quit smoking since it's costing him his upper notes), and has refused to sing anything that is too "growly". He lets the other band members to that gruff, growly stuff. It's too hard on the vocal cords. He works on his breath management so that his voice is properly supported and controlled. The "scream" is ALWAYS a controlled sound done on a specific pitch. I also noticed that the sound is clearly resonating "dans la masque" much like an opera singer does. This takes considerable stress of the throat.

Cherallison is better at the technical things since she is a vocal coach, but I'm just adding my personal observations. (I know a LOT of different types of singers). I noticed that properly trained Broadway-style "belters" also have most of the resonance eminating from their face, and much more mixed and even head voice is used than many people realize. If you know how to quickly and smoothly transistion through all parts of the voice, register breaks and changes are not that noticeable unless you make a point to notice them.

Unfortunately, many rock and roll screamers do damage their voices...and damage them very badly. Sometimes beyond repair. Robert Plant is one name that constantly comes up.

Steve Tyler of Arrowsmith has damaged his vocal cords countless times, and eventually realized he would end up losing his career if he didn't make certain changes to the way he "screamed" and sang.

http://www.ohniww.org/steven-tyler-raspy-voice-nat...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MDn5GgyxyU&list=P...

The same doctor has treated other prominent singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtrMiXLHm10&ab_cha...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnDJ1_JCfAI&ab_cha...

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/03/04/givin...

These videos and articles should give you some caution in regard to trying to teach YOURSELF to "scream" . There really are teachers that will teach non-classical singers how to sing safely and effectively as possible. No matter how expensive you think lessons are (and it's a good idea to check into it before you PRESUME they will cost you $100s of dollars for a single session), a visit to an ENT because you messed up your vocal cords is even more expensive. It doesn't always make it clear in these articles that after treatment (medication, vocal rest, surgery if necessary), the doctor makes sure that their patients are sent to a special vocal coach to learn how to AVOID reinjury. Rock stars especially hate to admit that they took any sort of lessons, much less that they may spend time before a concert doing warmup exercises, but they DO.

It's called "Pitch break" and it is air and tone forced out together. It is only within your middle range and should never ever be tried if the larynx is still immature. If you don;t get a qualified voice coach to teach you - you will do damage. This is why so many singers end up with nodules or polyps after 12 months of hard,back to back concerts!!!!!!

Theres a technique, i believe its called "vocal fry". I've never been able to do this well though. Curious what others have to say...