Belting - 2007/07/08 23:46Belting. I know that's what's big on Broadway right now. Whenever I'm around other performers my age, I tend to be the only non-belter in the crowd. My voice teacher thinks belting will kill my voice- she doesn't teach it. My mother (with a music degree) agrees- she doesn't want me to learn. I don't necessarily agree with them, since I'm so often around belters. I can't seem to figure it out on my own, and I'm hesitant to try too hard, since I know it could be bad if I push too far.
My question- if I want to get into college for musical theatre, do I need to learn how to belt in high school? Or can I get into a program as a legit singer? My voice isn't weak or airy- I've got a strong bridge between chest and head, and a decent range. My mom and voice teacher don't see why I want to learn to belt. I know a lot of people on this site belt- is any of what they are saying true? I don't want to lose what I have, but I really want to be a well-rounded singer.
Thanks to anyone who responds! Kris*~Kristina~*
Upcoming: Senior Year! Most recent: Maria in Sound of Music
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Dreams4Drama
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Re:Belting - 2007/07/09 01:17My voice coach is in the same boat as your's - she thinks that belting can be really dangerous for someone without the natural ability. She's taught me a little bit, but has made me promise to only use it if I really need to, and only for a short period (a brief audition, etc.). If I ever get a role that requires belting, she says there are safe ways to practice and improve gradually.
However, I've learned that mixed voice (partially chest and partially head voice) is a safe alternative. With a very powerful and SUPPORTED mixed voice, you can produce a similar sound to that of belting. And it's safer! And although It can never really replace belting, it certainly helps. Try asking your coach about trying that. He or she probably knows your voice best, so I would recommend following there advice.
Best of luck!My Name Is: Lisa! And I'm fifteen! Upcoming Auditions:The Pajama Game Favorite Roles: Tumnus in Narnia The Musical & the Narrator (the Artful Dodger) in A Christmas With Scrooge.
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leland22
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Re:Belting - 2007/07/09 12:30One of my good friends just got into NYU Tisch CAP21 for college which is a really good musical theatre program and although she has a really good strong voice, it is completely legit and she does not belt at all. So I hope that makes you feel better about the whole college thing
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Shannon
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Re:Belting - 2007/07/12 09:31From what I've heard, true belting will hurt your voice in the long run, so don't do it. Instead, learn how to sing in a mix voice, which will create a sound almost, but not quite, like a belt.
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lilbroadwaydiva
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Re:Belting - 2007/08/01 21:29i'm not in college yet so i can't help ya with that. but i believe you should wait until the natural ability comes before you start pushing too hard at it. btw, my voice coach also says that singing in a mixed voice is usually just as good. and not as hard on those vocal chords!! hope i helpedMolly Pylylpciev
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triplethreat
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Re:Belting - 2007/08/02 00:11Belting doesn't have to hurt your voice, IF it comes naturally to you and IF you are doing it properly (under the training of someone who knows what they are doing.) But Lisa is right - a well-supported mix is a good alternative to belting, and even though I can belt I do use my mix (which is very strong) often as an alternative (to the point where people think I am belting when I'm really not.)
Belting is extremely overrated, and is somewhat of a fad right now and I do believe it will pass, the same way the operatic soprano fad passed.
We all need to remember that one of the wonderful things about theatre is that it takes all kinds - old, young, thin, overweight, high voice, low voice..... you get the picture. Don't be in such a hurry to do what "everyone else" is doing - just do what you do best._____________ Kris MTA Admin
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Belting is definitely safe if you are training very carefully and correctly. I am about to start my second year of college with a musical theatre degree. Before I went to college I couldn't belt, but I still got into the program just fine. Most *good* programs will understand that not everyone is entering as a pro. After lots of training from two different voice teachers, belting finally clicked for me. I'm still not great at it, and I make sure I don't push too hard, but it's been pretty good so far.
I think it's really great that you recognize your current vocal talents, but you still wish to improve upon them. I think if you feel ready to train for belt, you should go for it. Personally, it has opened up a lot of opportunities for me to explore different songs that I could never sing before.
Anyway, I'm sure that you will easily get into a good program with your current strengths, so don't push the belting before you're good and ready to
Good luck!Ü Justine Ü
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Primodon1
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Re:Belting - 2007/08/21 14:47to be honest I actually just discussed this with my voice teach not 3 days ago while I'm a guy and we don't have the clearly defined line between belt and legit but she discussed the fact that belting can be healthy the fact may be that you're not built for belting roles vocally you may be more along the lines of the julie andrews roles and les mis and Lily in Secret Garden and things of that nature not Reno sweeny It might just plain be the voice can't belt.Roles. Imaginary Invalid- Fleurante, The apothacary Urinetown= Enesmble Member
Wish me luck
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rocketlove
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Re:Belting - 2007/08/22 04:50Definitely agree with everyone else. I auditioned for musical theatre programs at many different colleges this year, and found that almost every female audition consisted of belting - both ballas and uptempo. Like Kris, I think this is a bit of a fad. Generally, BFA college musical theatre programs ask to hear different styles - either a song from a classic show and a contemporary show, or a ballad and uptempo - nowhere do they say "BELT OR WE WON'T ACCEPT YOU". There are tons and tons of uptempo pieces that are sung legit or with a mix, as goes for ballads. I sang an uptempo belting piece and a legit ballad - but I did hear a mixture of both. While belting can be harmful when done or taught incorrectly, it certainly doesn't have to be. That being said, do what feels right to you! It's your voice - just make sure you are being safe and smart about it! You want to take care of those pipes Jamie
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alto3
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Re:Belting - 2007/09/05 23:03Yea, I'm a natural belter and no matter how much you practice and stuff, it can still hurt some times (esp if you don't warm up - oh I'm soooo bad for that). So when you do start one, like the others have said, do not push yourself too far. I've certainly learned the hardway. Sometimes after I've done something dumb, I have to stop singing for a while, otherwise I would probably wreck my voice. And what sucks for me as a belter is I can't hit notes that are too high when I belt, so it sometimes limits me in what I can do. However, I'm not really trained at all, so that could just be my problem. But I've noticed my same problems with other belters when I've listened to them. So belting could really just be over-rated. Anyways.Carrying the Banner, Kendra
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Medavinci
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Re:Belting - 2007/09/19 20:02I'm a belter too. I learned the classical way, but I just didn't sound strong. Then one day I sang how I felt most comfortable, and I didn't even know what I was doing when my voice teacher told me I was belting! I still do classical training, Vaccaj, and 30 mins warmup at my voice lesson, then 30 mins of a song...my voice teacher picks a song that will strengthen my head voice so that eventually my mixed voice will be strongest. But it is sometimes a struggle when you do certain songs. A good example for me was over the summer I had to sing My Funny Valentine for Babes in Arms, and I sung most of it belting,but when I hit the high notes, it just wasn't strong and you could hear the difference. I'm working on closing the gap, and learning to sing soprano and not hating it anymore. And yes, you do have to be careful belting - as long as you warm up and follow your voice teacher's advice, you will be okay - it's called "safe belting" for a reason.
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mandalol219
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Re:Belting - 2007/09/19 20:52i started voice lessons this summer and i discovered that i would just belt the heck out of things i sang. she pointed out that you should definitely have the foundation of classical training [ i don't think i'm using the right wording?] she also said that it hadn't harmed my vocal chords, so I'm a bit in the dark as well.Hi! I'm Amanda Dance is my first love.. but Musical Theatre is a close second.
Currently: auditioning!
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DuchessCherryFlower
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Re:Belting - 2007/09/23 19:43What's funny is I'm a natural belter, have been for 18 years, and I have a harder time singing in mixed voice then I do with a strong belt voice. It physically hurts me when I use mixed, but as soon as I try it belting, I keep pitch, it doesn't hurt, and I loose the the strain. I think it's because I've learned how to breathe properly and naturally with belting since I've done it so long and this foriegn idea of "mixed voice" is tripping me.
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megsings
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Re:Belting - 2008/02/28 17:48I agree with the "anti trend" preaching going on above... Not being a belter is what may make you stand out in a sea of belters right now! Sing on, miss thang! Embrace your natural YOUness! Currently playing: Lily! (Secret Garden) YAYAYAYAY!
the things you fear are undefeatable not by their nature but by your approach
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Jbug
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Re:Belting - 2008/03/06 21:50It's all in the training. You must be properly taught. It is all about your support when you sing. I am a 1st soprano who also belts. Fortunately, I have not had vocal problems because I had teachers who knew what they were doing. I must be careful when I belt and use a mix. Because I do both, I can sing almost anything. However, my belt range is limited and I can't belt into the really high belt tones that someone like Patti LuPone can hit. Can't always have everything. All the advice you've received is good. Continue with your legit studies. Someday, if you keep studying, you may come upon a teacher who can help you explore the belt range. If you experiment, just remember everything is all about your support. You can hurt your voice just as bad singing legit as you can with belting if you sing improperly. Don't sing in the back of your throat, the tone is still in the mask and you support with your diaphram (sorry, can't spell, but you know what I mean). Don't be afraid to try someday.
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And I'm fifteen!
