When did the trend of belting start?? — Page 2

I dunno. Look at Judy Garland's performances from her TV show. I don't see how it's any different from belting you'd find today.

Garland was a big influence too. I'd say she was sort of a bridge between the 1930s/1940s style of big band / Ethel Merman belt and the vocal style that became prevalent in popular music in the 1950s/1960s.

Garland definitely influenced the musical style of people like Streisand, and a lot of the popular girl singers of the 1950s, but Garland was in turn equally influenced by their music, and her style and musical material from the 1960s reflects that.

But I'd still say its the pop rock Streisand sound from the mid-late 60s that had the biggest influence on the musical trends that eventually led to the Broadway/rock high belt Broadway sound that took off in the 1970s.

Updated On: 7/13/13 at 12:50 PM

While we're all discussing the popularization of belting, I have a question to add on to the OP: when did belting become EXPECTED? Obviously not everyone can belt, but it seems that it's just expected of women to reach at least a C5 without mixing or switching to head voice. When did that come about?

There's a difference between belting and mixing, too, that's not been addressed yet (I believe) in this thread.

Even the chestiest gal has to start mixing by C above middle C; the chest alone can only take you so high. Most dames start mixing around G above middle C.

There are exceptions, of course, like Stritch, who I believe only mixed twice in her life, and was injured both times.

"And that's because it was gin and bourbon."

That's some funny sh!t right there.