What is Belting and How to Do It?
Your voice is like a musical instrument. The primary parts involved in producing sound are the vocal cords (or vocal folds), which are located in your larynx (voice box). When you sing, air from your lungs passes through your vocal cords, causing them to vibrate and produce sound. This sound is then shaped by your throat, mouth, and nasal passages to create your unique voice.
Belting
Belting, on the other hand, is a powerful singing technique where you project your voice loudly and clearly, often used in musical theatre and pop music. It feels like a vocal rollercoaster – thrilling and dynamic!
Famous Belter
When it comes to belting, these singers bring the heat! Here are some incredible examples for both women and men:
Women Who Belt Like Bosses:
Mariah Carey: The queen of belting herself! Mariah is known for her incredible five-octave range and her ability to belt out powerhouse vocals with stunning ease. Listen to "Hero" or "Vision of Love" for prime Mariah belting.
Whitney Houston: Another belting legend, Whitney possessed a powerful and emotionally charged voice. Her rendition of "I Will Always Love You" is a masterclass in belting with heart.
Aretha Franklin: The "Queen of Soul" didn't just belt, she commanded the room with her powerful voice. Songs like "Respect" and "Think" showcase her belting prowess perfectly.
Beyoncé: A true powerhouse vocalist, Beyoncé can belt with both power and finesse. From anthems like "Listen" to soulful ballads like "Halo," she never disappoints.
P!nk: This pop-rock rebel isn't afraid to belt it out. Songs like "Get the Party Started" and "Just Give Me a Reason" showcase her strong, emotional belting style.
Men Who Don't Shy Away from the High Notes:
Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses): This rock legend has a powerful and raspy belt that perfectly complements Guns N' Roses' hard rock sound. Listen to "Welcome to the Jungle" or "November Rain" for some Axl belting magic.
Freddie Mercury (Queen): Queen's iconic frontman had an incredible range and could belt with incredible power. Songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Don't Stop Me Now" are testaments to his belting skills.
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith): The "Demon of Screamin'" has a unique and powerful belt that's instantly recognizable. "Dream On" and "Crazy" are just a few examples of his belting prowess.
Adam Lambert: Taking the reins as Queen's frontman after Freddie Mercury, Adam Lambert has proven himself a worthy successor. He possesses a wide range and can belt with impressive power and control. Check out his live performances with Queen for some belting fireworks.
Bruno Mars: While known for his smooth vocals, Bruno Mars can also belt with surprising power. Listen to songs like "Runaway Baby" and "Grenade" to hear his belting side.
Here are the basic techniques for Belting:
Head Resonance
Head resonance is crucial for achieving a well-balanced and versatile voice. When you sing higher notes, you want the sound to resonate in your head rather than your throat. This not only protects your vocal cords but also helps you produce a clearer, more vibrant sound.
Imagine the feeling of humming – that buzz in your head is what you’re aiming for! You can check out our blog on How to Find Head Resonance.
Importance of Head Resonance for Belting
Here's why head resonance is so important for belting:
Richness and clarity: When you engage your head resonance, you essentially turn your head cavity into a giant amplifier. This creates a richer, more resonant sound that cuts through the mix and carries your voice. Think of the difference between yelling into a pillow and singing into a microphone – head resonance is like using the microphone!
Effortless power: When you rely solely on pushing from your throat, belting can become strained and tiring. Head resonance helps you achieve that powerful sound without straining your vocal cords. It's like using proper technique to lift a weight – you can move more weight with less effort and risk of injury.
Avoiding vocal strain: Singing from the throat is a recipe for vocal fatigue and potential damage. By engaging head resonance, you ensure your vocal cords vibrate efficiently, reducing the risk of strain and keeping your voice healthy for those epic belting moments.
While the voice can be one of the most challenging instruments to master, seeking professional voice teachers is to learn good habits.
The Diaphragm at Work
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located below your lungs. It's crucial for breath control, which is the foundation of good singing. When you inhale, your diaphragm contracts and moves downward, creating more space in your chest cavity and allowing your lungs to expand. When you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, helping to push air out of your lungs. Proper diaphragmatic breathing gives you better control over your voice, especially when belting out those powerful notes.
Connecting the Registers:
Belting bridges the gap between your chest voice (lower register) and head voice (higher register). The trick is to maintain a connected feeling throughout your range. Think of it as gradually lightening your chest voice as you ascend in pitch while engaging head resonance for a smooth transition. If you want to know your vocal range and register, check out our blog guide on What is Your Vocal Range and Vocal Register?
Vocal Twangs:
Some singers use a technique called "vocal twang" to add brightness and focus to their belting sound. This involves adjusting the shape of your vocal tract (mouth and throat) to create a specific resonance. It can take practice to find the right placement.
Listen and Learn:
Listen to great belters across different genres. Pay attention to how they control their breath, use head resonance, and connect their registers. This can give you valuable insights and help you develop your belting technique.
Practice with Care:
Belting can be demanding on your voice. Always warm up properly before attempting belting exercises. It's crucial to maintain proper technique to avoid vocal strain. Consider working with a vocal coach who can guide you and ensure you're belting safely and effectively.
Here are some additional tips for belting:
Start with lower notes: Begin belting exercises on lower notes to build your technique before moving higher.
Maintain good posture: Stand tall with proper posture to support your breathing and vocal cord function.
Don't force it: If you experience any pain or discomfort, stop immediately and rest your voice.
Be patient: Mastering belting takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress!
By understanding these techniques and practicing with care, you'll be well on your way to belting out those high notes with confidence and power!
How to avoid Voice cracking
Throat Singing
The sound produced when singing from your throat often lacks resonance and richness. It can sound flat, nasal, or harsh because it doesn't make full use of your vocal resonance chambers (chest, head, and nasal cavities).
Without proper breath support and resonance, your voice may lack the power and projection needed for strong, clear singing. This can make it hard to be heard in larger spaces or over accompaniment.
Signs of Throat Singing
Here are the signs that you are using you using your throat while singing:
You feel tightness or scratchiness in your throat after singing.
You need help reaching high notes or sustaining long notes.
Your voice sounds strained or breathy.
Vocal Strain and Damage
Here are some strains and damage you will get if you are singing from your throat
Increased Tension: Singing from your throat places a lot of tension on your vocal cords and the surrounding muscles. This can lead to vocal strain and fatigue.
Hoarseness and Soreness: Over time, the strain can cause your voice to become hoarse or sore. You might experience a rough or scratchy feeling in your throat after singing.
Vocal Cord Nodules or Polyps: Continuous strain can lead to the development of nodules or polyps on your vocal cords, which are growths that can seriously affect your voice and may require medical treatment or surgery to remove.
Limited Vocal Range and Flexibility: Singing from your throat often limits your ability to reach higher or lower notes, as well as to switch smoothly between different vocal registers.
Do you want to learn proper techniques that can improve your vocal health and longevity? Book a call today for a music lesson that focuses on your voice health and quality.