Belt (music)
Encyclopedia
Belting refers to a specific technique of singing
by which a singer produces a loud sound in the upper middle of the pitch range. It is often described as a vocal register although some dispute this since technically the larynx
is not oscillating in a unique way. Singers can use belting to convey heightened emotional states.
. (The chest voice is a very general term for the sound and muscular functions of the speaking voice, singing in the lower range, and the voice used to shout. Still, all those possibilities require help from the muscles in the vocal folds and a thicker closure of the vocal folds. The term "chest voice" is therefore often a misunderstanding, as it describes muscular work in the chest-area of the body, but the "sound" described as "chest voice" is also produced by work of the vocal folds.) However, the proper production of the belt voice according to some vocal methods involves minimizing tension in the throat and change of typical placement of the voice sound in the mouth
, bringing it forward into the hard palate.
It is possible to learn classical vocal methods like bel canto
and also to be able to belt; in fact, many musical roles now require it. The belt sound is easier for some than others, but the sound is possible for classical singers, too. It requires muscle coordinations not readily used in classically trained singers, which may be why some opera singers find learning to belt challenging.
In order to increase the number of high notes one can belt, one must practice. This can be by repeatedly attempting to hit the note in a melody line, or by using vocalise
programs utilizing scales
. Many commercial learn-to-sing packages have a set of scales to sing along to as their main offering, which the purchaser must practice with often to see improvement.
'Belters' are not exempt from developing a strong head voice
, as the more resonant their higher register in head voice, the better the belted notes in this range will be. Some belters find that after a period of time focusing on the belt, the head voice will have improved and, likewise, after a period of time focusing on the head voice, the belt may be found to have improved.
is applied to the higher register. However, through studying singers who use a "mixed" sound practitioners have defined mixed sound as belting. One researcher, Jo Estill
, has conducted research on the belting voice, and describes the belting voice as an extremely muscular and physical way of singing. When observing the vocal tract and torso of singers, while belting, Estill observed:
Most tutors and some students of the method known as Speech Level Singing, created and supported by Seth Riggs
, regard belting as damaging to long term vocal health. They may teach an alternative using a "mixed" or middle voice which can sound almost as strong as chest voice
. The subject of belting is a matter of heated controversy among singers, singing teachers and methodologies.
Proponents of belting say that it is a "soft yell," and if produced properly it can be healthy. It does not require straining and they say it is not damaging to the voice. However, the larynx
is higher than in classical technique,and many experts on the singing voice believe that a high larynx position is both dangerous to vocal health and produces what many find to be an unpleasant sound.
On the other hand, it is thought by some that belting will produce vocal nodules. This may be true if belting is produced incorrectly. If the sound produced is a mixed head and chest sound that safely approximates a belt, produced well, there may be no damage to the vocal folds.
As for the physiological and acoustical features of the metallic voices, a master's thesis has drawn the following conclusions:
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
by which a singer produces a loud sound in the upper middle of the pitch range. It is often described as a vocal register although some dispute this since technically the larynx
Larynx
The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
is not oscillating in a unique way. Singers can use belting to convey heightened emotional states.
Technique
The term "belt" is sometimes mistakenly described as the use of chest voice in the higher part of the voiceVoice
Voice may refer to:* Human voice* Voice control or voice activation* Writer's voice* Voice acting* Voice vote* Voice message-In film:* Voice , a 2005 South Korean film* The Voice , a 2010 Turkish horror film directed by Ümit Ünal...
. (The chest voice is a very general term for the sound and muscular functions of the speaking voice, singing in the lower range, and the voice used to shout. Still, all those possibilities require help from the muscles in the vocal folds and a thicker closure of the vocal folds. The term "chest voice" is therefore often a misunderstanding, as it describes muscular work in the chest-area of the body, but the "sound" described as "chest voice" is also produced by work of the vocal folds.) However, the proper production of the belt voice according to some vocal methods involves minimizing tension in the throat and change of typical placement of the voice sound in the mouth
Mouth
The mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food andsaliva. The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium lining the inside of the mouth....
, bringing it forward into the hard palate.
It is possible to learn classical vocal methods like bel canto
Bel canto
Bel canto , along with a number of similar constructions , is an Italian opera term...
and also to be able to belt; in fact, many musical roles now require it. The belt sound is easier for some than others, but the sound is possible for classical singers, too. It requires muscle coordinations not readily used in classically trained singers, which may be why some opera singers find learning to belt challenging.
In order to increase the number of high notes one can belt, one must practice. This can be by repeatedly attempting to hit the note in a melody line, or by using vocalise
Vocalise
A vocalise is a vocal exercise without words, which is sung on one or more vowel sounds.-In classical music:Vocalise dates back to the mid-18th century...
programs utilizing scales
Musical scale
In music, a scale is a sequence of musical notes in ascending and descending order. Most commonly, especially in the context of the common practice period, the notes of a scale will belong to a single key, thus providing material for or being used to conveniently represent part or all of a musical...
. Many commercial learn-to-sing packages have a set of scales to sing along to as their main offering, which the purchaser must practice with often to see improvement.
'Belters' are not exempt from developing a strong head voice
Head voice
Head voice is a term used within vocal music. The use of this term varies widely within vocal pedagogical circles and there is currently no one consistent opinion among vocal music professionals regarding this term...
, as the more resonant their higher register in head voice, the better the belted notes in this range will be. Some belters find that after a period of time focusing on the belt, the head voice will have improved and, likewise, after a period of time focusing on the head voice, the belt may be found to have improved.
Physiology
There are many explanations as to how the belting voice quality is produced. When approaching the matter from the Bel Canto point of view, it is said that the chest voiceChest voice
Chest voice is a term used within vocal music. The use of this term varies widely within vocal pedagogical circles and there is currently no one consistent opinion among vocal music professionals in regards to this term...
is applied to the higher register. However, through studying singers who use a "mixed" sound practitioners have defined mixed sound as belting. One researcher, Jo Estill
Jo Estill
Josephine Antoinette Estill known as Jo Estill was an American singer, singing voice specialist and voice researcher...
, has conducted research on the belting voice, and describes the belting voice as an extremely muscular and physical way of singing. When observing the vocal tract and torso of singers, while belting, Estill observed:
- Minimal airflow (longer closed phase (70% or greater) than in any other type of phonation)
- Maximum muscular engagement of the torso (in Estill Voice TrainingEstill Voice TrainingEstill Voice Training is a programme for developing vocal skills based on deconstructing the process of vocal production into control of specific structures in the vocal mechanism...
terminology this is known as Torso Control or Anchoring) - Engagement of muscles in the head and neck in order to stabilize the larynxLarynxThe larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
) (in Estill Voice TrainingEstill Voice TrainingEstill Voice Training is a programme for developing vocal skills based on deconstructing the process of vocal production into control of specific structures in the vocal mechanism...
terminology this is known as Head and Neck Control or Anchoring) - A downwards tilt of the cricoid cartilage (an alternative option would be the thyroid tilting backwards. Observations show a larger CT space)
- High positioning of the larynx
- Maximum muscular effort of the extrinsic laryngeal muscles, minimum effort at the level of the true vocal folds.
- Narrowing of the aryepiglottic sphincter (the "twanger")
Possible dangers of belting
Use of belting without proper coordination can lead to forcing. Forcing can lead consequently to vocal deterioration. Moderate use of the technique and, most importantly, retraction of the ventricular folds while singing is vital to safe belting. Without proper training in retraction, belting can indeed cause trauma to the vocal folds that requires the immediate attention of a doctor.Most tutors and some students of the method known as Speech Level Singing, created and supported by Seth Riggs
Seth Riggs
Seth Riggs is an American vocal coach and founder of a technique known as Speech Level Singing. Some of his students have included Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Jackson, Kalil Wilson, Ray Charles, Josh Groban and Philip Webb.- External links :...
, regard belting as damaging to long term vocal health. They may teach an alternative using a "mixed" or middle voice which can sound almost as strong as chest voice
Chest voice
Chest voice is a term used within vocal music. The use of this term varies widely within vocal pedagogical circles and there is currently no one consistent opinion among vocal music professionals in regards to this term...
. The subject of belting is a matter of heated controversy among singers, singing teachers and methodologies.
Proponents of belting say that it is a "soft yell," and if produced properly it can be healthy. It does not require straining and they say it is not damaging to the voice. However, the larynx
Larynx
The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
is higher than in classical technique,and many experts on the singing voice believe that a high larynx position is both dangerous to vocal health and produces what many find to be an unpleasant sound.
On the other hand, it is thought by some that belting will produce vocal nodules. This may be true if belting is produced incorrectly. If the sound produced is a mixed head and chest sound that safely approximates a belt, produced well, there may be no damage to the vocal folds.
As for the physiological and acoustical features of the metallic voices, a master's thesis has drawn the following conclusions:
- No significant changes in frequency and amplitude of F1 were observed
- Significant increases in amplitudes of F2, F3 and F4 were found
- In frequencies for F2, metallic voice perceived as louder was correlated to increase in amplitude of F3 and F4
- Vocal tract adjustments like velar lowering, pharyngeal wall narrowing, laryngeal raising, aryepiglottic and lateral laryngeal constriction were frequently found.