head voice vs. belted sound

There was a video on youtube of the cast recording of "The Wild Party" with Idina singing "Life of the Party" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5j41H6439E). Someone commented that her high head voice note on "free" was impressive, and someone countered, " Oh, that's easy cuz that's her head voice- the high belted note in the middle song is much harder and thus really awesome." Is this kind of the general consensus in musical theatre? Isn't a beautiful head voice just as impressive as someone like Idina or Eden (i.e. Audra McDonald, Rebecca Luker)?

Updated On: 4/30/08 at 04:28 PM

Thanks- I totally agree! Haha- and so true about youtube comments. I just wanted to see what people think in general on the board.

I was a first soprano in a treble choir, so I'm a little biased, but I happen to find a strong head voice much more beautiful and impressive than a lot of belters. it's not that I don't like belters or even the sound, but...there's just something about a really strong clear beautiful head voice.

my favorite example is Rebecca Luker singing "Come to My Garden" in The Secret Garden. the very last "come sweet child" she sings before Colin begins singing...the "child" is perfect. her vowel shape is perfect, her tone is perfect. it gives me chills.

and like TooDarnHot said, there was a really interesting conversation several weeks ago, which also touched on how the belting trend is affecting younger singers.

---

Seth Rudetsky's 101: Head voice vs. chest voice
Part 1

It really depends on the song. There are certain songs that should be belted and aren't impressive in a head voice but then there are songs that would only sound good in head voice. Just think if someone like say Patti LaBelle tried belting "Ice Cream". She'd sound crazy. But someone singing "Rainbow High" in head voice would be equally comical.

Personally I'd like someone with one voice. Someone who can belt impressively, with a killer mix and a hot head voice. They're rare but the do exsist.

Do people like belting because it sounds like it's harder? I remember someone saying on this board once, "Anyone can 'Defying Gravity' in their legit voice- it's not even a particularly challenging feat." Like, is it more impressive to be able to belt an E than to sing a high C in head voice?

Used to really prefer the belted sound but after classical training you get used to hearing that sound. A beuatifully controlled soprano voice is absolutely amazing. There will be a comeback for them.

It's rather hard to put a note on it. I happen to know women who can chest High G's. It really depends on a person's voice. However there is no way Anika is belting a C without a little head. She's doing what all soprano belters worth their salt do, a good pingy forward mix that has some bite in it. I mean really? A C?! Her head would explode.

However, it doesn't HAVE to be all head up there either. Just listen to some of the things Patti LaBelle does. Like I said before, it's a mix...and no not everyone can do that. Most can't actually.