What is Belting? Voice Lessons New York Knows the Best Belting Tips
- Joseph Stanek
- Mar 7
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Voice Lessons New York: What is Belting and How Do I Belt?
Searching “voice lessons New York” is like diving into a sea of endless options. But not every coach dives deep into the science behind singing. Here at Tour de Fierce, we believe that understanding your vocal anatomy is just as crucial as nailing that show-stopping high note. Because it is.
...it really is.
The Birth of the Belt
First, a little history. In the late 19th century, the composer/lyricist team of Gilbert and Sullivan introduced the world to a new style of stage production which eventually became the earliest forms of musical theatre. (Among their hits were The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, and The Mikado.) The natural progression from operetta to what we now call "legit" musical theatre follows the same sort of vocal technique, characterized by Rodgers and Hammerstein. "Legit" musical theatre singing technique prioritizes beauty of tone, consistant vibrato, unified vowels... that sort of thing.
While all of this was developing, New York City's theatre scene was also bustling with vaudeville performances, which focused more on the interactions between singer and orchestra (or band), often requiring the singers to shout, incorporate percussive vocal stylings, and develop a comedic timing that would have the audience in stitches all night.
Legit musical theatre and vaudeville shows coexisted for a time, but they always kept to themselves... until one singer from Astoria, Queens, changed everything.
Enter: Ethel Merman
A girl named Ethel Merman came onto the scene right around this time and shook things up a bit. She had a hugely powerful voice aligned with the vaudeville style of vocal technique, but she was somehow able to bridge the two mediums quite successfully, launching what we now know as the Golden Age of Broadway.
Ethel Merman is commonly accepted as the first belter in history. Not only was her voice large on its own, but this style of singing allowed her to fill the Broadway theaters in a time before sound amplification was a thing. Belting instantly became synonymous with Broadway.
Watch this video:
Belting 101: What is Belting?
Belting in singing is a technique used to sing high notes with a powerful, full tone that resonates with the strength of your chest voice, rather than the lighter quality of your head voice. Think of it as bringing that grounded, chesty color and power up into your higher range.
Here's a breakdown of what that means:
Powerful and Resonant: Belting produces a big sound that can carry over instruments and fill a large space.
Chest Voice Connection: It primarily utilizes the lower register (chest voice) and extends it into the upper range.
Emotional Impact: This technique is often used to convey strong emotions, add drama, and create intensity in a song, which is why it's so common in musical theatre, pop, and rock.
Not Just Loudness: It's important to understand that belting isn't just yelling. It's about maintaining a clear and resonant sound while increasing volume.
How Do You Belt? Is there a Belting Technique?
Learning to belt safely and effectively takes time, practice, and proper technique. Here are some key elements to focus on:
Note: when starting out, you should always have a professional monitor your progress and correct any unhealthy tendencies or habits as you learn. Don't ruin your voice, come on.
Breath Support is Fundamental (this almost goes without saying):
Diaphragmatic Breathing: Breathe deeply from your diaphragm, allowing your abdomen to expand. Place a hand on your belly to feel it move outward as you inhale.
Controlled Exhalation: Engage your diaphragm muscles to control the release of air as you sing. Imagine holding the breath back slightly with these muscles. Exhale slowly and consistently through your mouth.
Alignment and Engaged Relaxation:
Stand Tall: Maintain proper posture in your spine and slightly pull your shoulders back. Good posture supports proper breath control.
Relax Tension: Avoid tension in your neck, shoulders, and throat. Belting requires strong, warm muscles in your core, neck, shoulders, chest, tongue, and face, so ensure your body is warmed up and relaxed. Pay particular attention to relaxing your tongue.
Open Your Mouth:
Natural Opening: Allow your mouth to open naturally, with your jaw relaxed downward. This helps the air flow freely and allows your soft palate to expand.
Wide Vowels: Belting often favors "wider" vowel sounds like [æ] (as in "cat") and [eɪ] (as in "lame") which can help with resonance. (I like to train my singers on words like, "Yeah" and, "Hey" - perfect vowels to open up your belt!)
Finding the Right Placement and Resonance:
Forward Placement: Aim to feel the sound resonating in the front of your face. Some describe it as a "bright" or "forward" quality.
Mixed Voice Concept: While belting leans heavily on chest voice, skilled belters often use a "mixed voice," blending elements of both chest and head voice to achieve power and control in the higher range without straining.
Start Gradually and Warm-Up:
Begin in Your Comfort Zone: Start with pitches in your mid-range where you feel comfortable and gradually explore higher notes as your technique develops.
Vocal Warm-ups: Treat your vocal cords like any other muscle. Warm them up before attempting to belt with exercises like vocal slides, lip trills, and gentle scales.
Listen and Learn:
Study Skilled Belters: Pay attention to how professional singers who belt effectively use their voices. Notice their posture, breath, and the quality of their sound.
Record Yourself: This can help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress.
Be Patient and Consistent:
It Takes Time: Developing a strong and healthy belt takes consistent practice. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight.
Listen to Your Body: Never push or strain your voice to the point of pain or discomfort. If something feels wrong, stop.
Important Note: Learning to belt correctly is crucial to avoid vocal damage. If you're serious about developing this technique, working with a qualified vocal coach is highly recommended. They can provide personalized guidance and ensure you're using your voice safely and effectively.
Now that we've got the basics down about HOW to do it, let's get into what's going on inside our vocal anatomy to see how this technique is produced.
Vocal Anatomy 101: Tour de Fierce's Voice Lessons New York City Crash Course
Allow me to pull back the curtain and geek out over what’s happening in your body when you belt out that big finish.
The Diaphragm: Your Built-In Gas Pedal
Think of your diaphragm as the engine behind your voice. When you inhale, it contracts and moves downward, creating space for your lungs to expand. On your exhale, your diaphragm remains engaged. I always think of bagpipers manually pumping the bladder (that's the "bag" part) - it's the same concept, except you have a diaphragm to support the air leaving your lungs and don't have to do it by hand!
Fierce Tip: Practice low, intentional breaths. Feel your belly expand instead of your chest and shoulders rising. That’s where true power begins.
The Vocal Folds: Tiny But Mighty
Your vocal folds (often called vocal cords) vibrate to produce sound. For belting, they need support, not strain. I always tell my singers it's a lot smaller than they think it's going to be, and I tell them to place it in the mask like they're putting a tiny, delicate glass trinket on a high shelf.
Pro Insight: Excess tension is the enemy of that pure, rich belt. Learn to use breath support, not throat constriction, to create volume.
Resonance: It’s All in Your Head (and Chest)
Resonance is what makes your voice sound full, warm, and bright. Depending on the pitch and style, you might feel vibrations in your chest, your mask (facial bones), or even the top of your skull.
Try This: Hum a note and gently touch your lips, nose, and chest to see where you feel the buzz. That buzz indicates resonance—and you can learn to direct it. Some people refer to this as projection.
Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect, It Makes Permanent
If you practice incorrectly, you lock in bad habits. That’s where science-based coaching comes in.
Make It Fierce: Get real feedback on your posture, breath support, and phonation. A single tweak can transform your entire vocal experience.
Ready to go from meh to mind-blowing? Check out my voice coaching page and see what real science-based lessons can do.
If you’re in NYC, explore our pricing and sessions page to find our in-person lessons so you can experience that powerful resonance in a professional environment.
At the very least, if you're in New York City, check out my guide to singing lessons in New York City!
Final Thoughts
Mastering the art of singing isn’t just about raw talent; it’s about understanding your own anatomy and using it to its fullest potential. Voice lessons New York style can be the perfect mix of fierce technique and scientific know-how—so you can belt with confidence and slay every stage you step onto.
Frequently Asked Questions: Broadway Belting & Vocal Lessons (Voice Lessons New York and Online)
Q: What is belting in singing?
A: Belting is a powerful singing style where the voice sounds chesty, bright, and speech-like even at high volumes. It’s commonly used in Broadway, pop, and gospel styles.
Q: Is belting safe for your voice?
A: It can be—if you do it right. Proper breath support, twang resonance, and smart technique make belting sustainable. Work with a coach to avoid tension or vocal damage.
Q: How did Ethel Merman belt without a microphone?
A: Merman mastered breath power and cord closure, allowing her voice to project over full orchestras. Her technique made her sound cut through the air like a trumpet.
Q: Can I learn to belt like a Broadway singer?
A: Absolutely. With the right vocal training and progressive exercises, most singers can build a safe, powerful belt—even if they’ve never belted before.
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