Common misconceptions about belting debunked.

	*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.
	*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.
	*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.
	*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