Belting takes the chest voice sound into the head voice and out through the mouth cavity. It’s helpful to have a teacher trained in belting who can work with you in person to help you safely learn this technique. See if your teacher can do that – or if they can recommend someone else who can. Remember that good warmups and vocal exercises are important for strengthening your voice and protecting it.

Thanks!

Belting can be challenging to your voice if not done properly. So we highly recommend finding a voice teacher with this expertise who can model proper belting technique and teach you this skill in a way that doesn’t injure your voice. Also consider summer music programs where you can learn healthy belting (see 2016 Summer Music Camps & Programs.)

Thank you for your advice! I shall go enquire.

It’s impossible for anyone to give you the kind of feedback you’re looking for without listening to you and seeing what’s going on with you. We suggest you find a highly qualified voice teacher who is skilled in working with belt voice and knows how to help you protect your voice. Check with the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), a local college or university, or a professional musical theatre program in your area.

Perhaps you can mention your concern, and point to your observation of her body language. Ultimately, it is up to your friend to seek the advice of a well-trained voice teacher with a background in studying and teaching belting. We saw this article recently, about belting vs. mix voice, that you may find interesting.

Fay,
Sounds like you might have a small irritation on your vocal folds that is interfering with your upper middle belt range. Belting is a high-level activity for your vocal folds and even though it “feels OK” it can still cause trouble. The insecurity you feel on the notes in question could also be a technical problem. The only way to know is to see a qualified laryngologist – a medical doctor who specializes in issues that affect the vocal folds. Try to find someone near you and have an exam. After you know if your vocal folds are OK or not, you can proceed to address the issue appropriately. If they are OK, you need help from a qualified voice teacher who understands belting. If they are not, you need to see a Speech Language Pathologist who understands singing. Not all of them do, so be sure to ask. Either way, this will help you get back to easy singing once again.

Good luck!

Jeanie LoVetri