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Belting
Myths
Misconceptions:
 | *The same
singer cannot do belt and classical singing.
— Hogwash! Some of the best belters I have trained have
magnificent opera voices and advanced degrees from world-class music
schools.
|
| *The belt and
chest voices are the same.
— Absolutely not. Chest voice quality is a classical sound
with back resonance; it has a limited range and is potentially
harmful to your voice. Belting uses a twangy, far forward resonance,
no unhealthy pressure on the vocal chords.
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| *Belting is
really a bottom-heavy mix with nasality.
— Many singing teachers call this the
"safe" belt technique, when in fact it is less safe than
the true belt. Belting is not an adaptation of the classical
technique. It is a unique technique with its own range of vocal
colors, and its own aesthetic with appropriate repertoire.
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| *Belting
causes vocal fatigue, hoarseness, nodules and weak laryngeal
muscles.
— Any use of the voice, done incorrectly
(including speaking), can be harmful. Correct belting puts no more
pressure on the vocal apparatus than classical singing.
|
| *Belting is
always loud and one-dimensional.
— Wrong. High chest singing can only be loud, but there are
variations of the belt technique, which allow for dynamic
variations. These variations include: the quasi-belt, pop or soft
belt, pop-legitimate or middle gospel, and soul.
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| *Belting
comes naturally, and can't be taught.
— I wish all of you could attend one of my
workshops and see a fine classical singer belt for the first time.
It is really quite exciting, and the breakthrough is invariably
accompanied by great laughter, shouts of joy and waves of
enthusiastic applause. |
Conclusion:
Belt singing is a natural, healthy and
extremely expressive form of human communication. It must be approached
with care under the guidance of a skillful teacher, but most people can
learn to do it. For theatrical singers, the ability to belt greatly
increases the number of roles for which they can audition, and it opens
a wide new world of self-expression.
-Bill Reed |
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