LEARN HOW TO SING BETTER- BELTING

Singers who want to learn to sing better often wonder about belting in commercial music or musical theater, and often ask me”What exactly is belting?  Do I need to be able to belt to be successful in commercial music or theater?”

Poorly trained singers often “yell”, particularly on the higher notes of a song, or when pushing for stronger notes. Directors and producers may demand that a singer “belt”  a song for greater dramatic effect.  Certain types of musical theatre roles are known as “belt” roles, while others are known as “legit” styles of singing.

Rock and gospel singing have traditionally required a loud and powerful upper register, which many people think of as “pure chest” voice.

When a singer sings entirely in chest voice, pushing for the high notes and spreading the mouth to a widened position, the larynx will hike and the vocal cords are stretched and hyper-extended. The results are: swollen vocal cords (which may develop nodules), distorted pronunciation, a decrease in vocal quality and control, and an inevitably shortened career. Belting, using only the chest voice, is unhealthy because you are using muscle to force the vocal cords to function in a way in which they were not designed to be used. The voice is not balanced, and the vocal range becomes severely limited. There are many teachers who teach so-called “broadway belt” or “rock” singing, by basically pushing chest voice up too high.  This is a very limited and vocally damaging approach to singing.

What is needed instead is a strong and powerful “mix” voice that sounds like the chest voice, but feels easy and free from strain.Unfortunately there are few teachers out there who really understand the science of teaching the “mix”, which is essential to a long and healthy vocal career.  Vocal superstition and misinformation abound, and many voices and potential careers are destroyed by misinformed teaching.

With Sing Like A Star™ vocal training, you will build a strong upper register that sounds like chest voice but feels easy and effortless.  This is known as the “mix”.  It takes time to  develop, but the result is a voice that you can count on for any style of singing- a voice that will stay healthy and strong for a lifetime of singing.

Belting incorrectly means pushing the chest voice up too high, but with a strong mix, you will sound like you are belting, without the strain and pain associated with incorrect vocal technique.

For professional singing lessons in the Atlanta, Marietta and Alpharetta GA  area, or to register for voice training online by skype, facetime, or speakerphone,  please visit the website at www.singlikeastar.com, and click on the GET STARTED tab to register for a professional vocal evaluation and consultation.