| Belt is a 'hot topic' amongst singers. Some say it's | | | | learning to take independent control of the |
| essential for anyone wanting a career in musical | | | | structures of the voice is what high-class, modern |
| theatre, others say it's dangerous and should be | | | | singing training is all about. |
| avoided at all costs, others that it doesn't even | | | | When to Belt |
| exist! | | | | Songs are very rarely Belted all the way through. |
| I can tell you for certain that belt exists, that - | | | | But all the big show tunes have a 'money' note or |
| done properly - it's completely safe and is vital if | | | | passage where Belting really is the only option - |
| you want to sing in Musicals. | | | | the song's built up to that point and the audience |
| Jo Estill and Belt | | | | is expecting the big pay-off. Nothing but Belt will |
| Belt is one of the six voice qualities defined by Jo | | | | do! |
| Estill as part of Estill Voice Training (EVT), the | | | | To answer the question of whether or not belt is |
| revolutionary method of learning to sing and teach | | | | dangerous: done properly ie with the correct set |
| singing that's based on precise scientific knowledge | | | | up, it's completely safe. But it's a high energy |
| rather that vague imagery and concepts. | | | | voice quality, so it carries with it an inherent risk - |
| Some of the confusion comes from the word | | | | done incorrectly, it can cause vocal trauma. |
| itself. The verb 'to belt' means literally to shout or | | | | This is why it's vital that you're taught to belt by |
| yell. While there are some similarities between | | | | someone who understands the physiological and |
| yelling and Belting (children Belt in the playground) | | | | anatomical nature of the voice and can show you |
| Belt (with a capital B) is not just shouting! | | | | - slowly and safely - how to set up the vocal |
| In EVT, Belt is described as 'happy yelling'. Perhaps | | | | mechanism properly. You simply can't be taught |
| some of the confusion surrounding Belt would | | | | to belt by anyone explaining the voice in terms of |
| have been removed if Ms Estill had simply used | | | | head and chest. |
| another word! | | | | Learn to Belt - properly |
| What Belt isn't | | | | As belt was a term coined by Jo Estill, clearly |
| Belt is definitely NOT 'chest' voice taken higher. To | | | | your best option to learn to belt is to seek the |
| be honest, if you're still thinking in terms of head | | | | services of a trained Estill teacher. Certified |
| and chest, you're probably a long way from | | | | Master Teachers (CMTs) undergo years of |
| understanding how to Belt. | | | | rigorous training and examination to ensure that |
| Whilst there are similarities between Belt and | | | | they can teach Belt - and other voice qualities. |
| other singing styles - even Operatic singing - eg | | | | Only CMTs are allowed to teach Estill Voice |
| the use of body muscles to support the sound, | | | | Training in a private studio. Always ask to see the |
| the main differences are physiological and apply to | | | | CMT certificate before undergoing training in belt. |
| the larynx. In Belt, the larynx is held higher in the | | | | To re-iterate, if you want a career in musical |
| vocal tract and the laryngeal cartilages are | | | | theatre, you need to know how to Belt. But |
| positioned relative to each other in a way which is | | | | learning Belt incorrectly can ruin your voice - and |
| unique to Belt. | | | | your chances of a career. Learn to Belt from the |
| If you're Classically trained to keep the larynx low | | | | people who invented it - Estill Voice Training. |
| and tilted, you'll find Belting very odd initially. But | | | | |