8:44AM
Big, Bad (Incorrect) Belts!

For all you Musical Theater singers with big bad (incorrect) belts who are losing your top notes due to a tight larynx (because that was how you were taught to belt), here is why I start new singers on breathing and exercises to relax the larynx and open up the pharynx FIRST:
Professional level breath support skill allows the pharynx to open and the larynx to relax. Professional level breath support skill refers to what singers with international careers utilize to power their voices and protect them, giving them long and satisfying careers. It does NOT refer to a generalized "sort-of" knowledge of "abdominal breathing". When a new singer comes into my studio, I ask them what they know about breath support. When they put their hand on their stomach and say "I breath here" or "I support here", I know they do not understand what professional level breath support skill is. We must first work to establish that skill level before we can work on their belt and high mix.
Professional level breath support skill involves the lower abdominals (NOT the intestinal area or the stomach area), the transverse abdominals, the intercostals and the "lats". While some involvement of other muscles in the intestinal wall are involved, overly focusing on those other muscles is not helpful and is often detrimental and defeats the goal of the singer to achieve powerful sounds with a comfortable, open throat.
Once breath support skill is established, the singer will experience an incredible release of the throat, and the belt/high mix work will seem quite easy compared to the struggle and disappointment of singing without proper breath support. Usually a singer will experience this release at least once or twice in the first lesson, often several times. With diligent practice, this beautiful release of the throat will become the norm for that singer. Once this release is achieved, it is possible to move on to other important areas of the voice: opening the pharynx, vowel work, registration issues, power, flexibility, developing stamina for 8 shows a week or tours, etc.
I taught a female musical theater singer in NYC a few months ago who had a huge breakthrough with her belt, from her chest voice on up to her top notes, all in the same lesson, due to the diligent work she has done on establishing excellent, professional level breath support skill. After all her work, we had this exciting breakthrough lesson! As she continues her work, that exciting sound will become HER sound, all the time. Life is good!
