singing techniques

[IdinaRocks]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 8:47pm

I've been trained to sing classically all of my life (my mother is a voice teacher). I was always tought to not even think about my "chest voice" and "head voice", to get an even tone throughout, with no break- so I've got that down, but I'm having a lot of trouble singing musical theater stuff. I guess you could say that I always mix, but its become so natural for me that I can't do anything but that.

Any advice for getting a stronger "belt" voice? I use that term lightly because I don't think most of the people on here really know what it is (ie, idina does NOT belt the high notes of defy gravity). I've been trying myself but I'm very scared to hurt my voice or lose the technique I've developed already.

[IdinaRocks]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 8:54pm

wasnt exactly my point...

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 9:13pm

"ie, idina does NOT belt the high notes of defy gravity"

Yes she does. If by "belt" you mean in chest voice...yes, she belts them.

Anyway, I used to have the same problem. My advice is NOT to try belting at all without training. I did for a while, and it caused a great deal of problems with my voice. However, with the proper training you can learn to belt correctly, or you can learn to use mix to produce a belt sound (this is what the majority of singers will do). You just need to look for a teacher to do this for you. Call them and ask questions about if they teach how to do it and explain what you want, but don't do it without training. You can hurt yourself.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 9:47pm

"you can learn to use mix to produce a belt sound"

That is the correct way to "belt." Actual belting is very damaging.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 9:49pm

There is a way to sing in full chest voice without damaging the vocal chords, but it takes very specific placement. Again, it should never be done unless you're taught how to do it.

It its hurting your voice...it ain't good.