HOW TO BELT BROADWAY- Larry Bridges

International Thespian Festival 2009

What is “Belting”?

A vocal resonance approach, commonly louder and brighter than Classical singing; common in pop, rock, and some Broadway, accomplished by vowel modification and muscle adjustment. Listen to Betty Buckley, Ethyl Merman, Patty Lupone, Jennifer Holiday, Bernadette Peters, Kristin Chenoweth. Also shows like “Gypsy”, “Dreamgirls”, “ Brooklyn”, “Rent”, etc.

Will it hurt my voice?

Just like classical singing technique, you have to learn how to do it correctly. You have to use good BREATH SUPPORT, SPINE ALIGNMENT, and PLACEMENT, but you have to know how to change the shape of the mouth and use more HORIZONTAL VOWELS.

Check out recent ARTICLES ON BELTING in the JOURNAL of THE NATIONAL ASSN. Of TEACHERS OF SINGING.

How does it differ from Classical voice technique?

1. The vowel positions in Belt are more horizontal.

2. The larynx is generally in a higher position, and jaw is not as low.

3. Female vocal range is similar in Belt for all women, but different than Classical ranges (Alto, Mezzo, Soprano).

4. Male Belt range is comparable to male Classical range.

5. Vocal folds thicker and are together longer than Classical.

6. Belt sound is brighter and generally louder than Classical.

7. The throat is narrower than in Classical.

What are some rules for good belt technique?

-Learn proper breath support (just as important for Belt as Classical)

-Spend time loosening and warming up your voice.

-Learn the “tilt” or “turn-over” going into passagio (the break)

-Keep the spine and neck long and loose.

-Prepare and hold breath before each phrase (quiet surprise).

-Modify vowels more horizontally the higher you go.

-Don’t “swallow” the larynx by letting it go too high.

-Don’t crane the neck to reach a high note.

-Rehearse the “Belter’s Bite” on ascending notes.

-Change the key or modify notes if they are out of your range.