Don't Think "Belt" When Singing

[@m17434]

"Comfort and control"; thank you.

[@voicelessondotcom]

That's the ultimate target.

[@gabrielzachariasmusic]

Without a question the best singing teacher I've ever come across between 4 in person teachers and dozens of KZbin coaches. Thank you for sharing this incredible content with us Mark!!

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're very welcome! Glad to help!

[@CaitlinGrey]

Totally agree Gabriel. Mark is the best!

[@dianebaileymusicministries]

Agree

[@sacredwomensbusiness6799]

🙌🏽YES🙌🏽 I Love this man!! His knowledge is brilliant! Teaching style is fantastic! He’s so funny & entertaining! One class he cracked me up so much I coukdnt sing - (the vodka one) & he’s really consistent & gentle. (Years ago after an operatic soirée my teacher announced ‘you all sang like pigs’. She was a Holocaust survivor, so I guess her anger was never managed well. She went through some awful things & was extremely brave! Besides that, she was a good teacher & believed in me. RIP LUCY ALTMAN ❤️) In those days many music & ballet teachers were “mean & Nasty”! 😆

[@CharlieKulis]

The best teacher on the internet... or anywhere for that matter!!

[@voicelessondotcom]

Wow - thanks Charlie!

[@joey4010]

Anywhere ??......so that includes the whole universe ?? ....wow mark really is good !

[@michaelbosi8104]

Wish i'd found this guru 20 years ago. Better late than never! Mark makes discovering how to use your voice a lot of fun! Can't thank you enough!

[@voicelessondotcom]

Singing is too important to take seriously! Glad to help!

[@NK-ke6yy]

You are the best when it comes to anything about the voice and singing. And I’m not even a “singer” lol

[@josephn3496]

So glad I found you here! I bought your singing survival guide ages ago! Thanks for your teaching!

[@voicelessondotcom]

Welcome to the channel!

[@ThePianoKeys]

That would be the other kind of open throat. I'm dying. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@neilbonavita8623]

Mark, I really love how you work and how you present and frame content. You've just added access to a lot of color on my palate. Great stuff! Thanks.

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're welcome, Neil!

[@TheSisrob]

This is phenomenal, Mark!

[@voicelessondotcom]

Glad you liked it!

[@catylytica]

GREAT lesson, Mark!!

[@norabody]

Wow! I never could sing loud. I am able to in one minute following you. I am so impressed! Really appreciated!!!

[@voicelessondotcom]

Glad to help!

[@leilanimartin5711]

Mark, I value your opinion, as your videos have proved to save my voice, help me repair after I've sung incorrectly, and I would like to hear your opinion on vowel modifications that are pre-thought out or systematized, as opposed to the passive vowel modification that occurs naturally when we sing certain notes at certain pitches with certain timbres, etc. There's a lot of very detailed info out there on how to modify vowels, yet I don't believe I've ever heard you speak about this. Thanks for providing such a natural, holistic, "appreciate your body and how it's designed to work" kind of approach to singing. I go back to you all the time, especially when I've overstudied an aspect and find myself becoming less loose and more worried about producing a tone rather than communicating a feeling.

[@voicelessondotcom]

Hi Leilani - you're absolutely right about my never commenting on pre-planed vowel modification. The technique has been passed down through Bel Canto teachings and is only necessary when singing un amplified with an orchestra. In order to project the voice in that situation a singer must promote a cluster of overtones around 28K Hz (because that's where an orchestra isn't very strong). To maintain this ringing sound a singer must maintain a particular internal relationship between air, folds and resonators so that the aryepiglottis (just above larynx) is narrow yet the oral pharynx (back of mouth) is wide. This special posture requires that vowel sounds come in to the center towards the neutral "UH". The same requirement is true for sopranos singing as they near high C. I work with very few singers in these situations - and approach it appropriately for their genre. This KZbin channel and most folks I work with sing in contemporary styles. Back in the 70's when I was coming up vowel modification was referred to as "correct" or "healthy" or "legit" singing. I took offense to these terms because they meant what I was doing was incorrect, unhealthy and illegitimate. Turns out these terms are merely a musical bias. It is not necessary to modify a vowel - you can choose to modify the air pressure instead (volume). There's a four way relationship going on all the time between air pressure, vocal folds, resonators and articulators. Whether you ask for a "cultured" Bel Canto sound or a bar-room belt - it's all modified one way or another.

[@cleo0695]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! So much..... I found this really helpfull to get a bright and more attractive. Thank you!🙂

[@richkohl]

Thanks for sharing so much knowledge!

[@pradhamarao]

Thank you so much for your wonderful techniques .🙏

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're welcome - glad to help!

[@myrazuckerman4647]

Fantastic Mark----Doing this while cooking. very helpful.

[@InaValdes]

Amazing channel!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!! Thank you thank you!!

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're welcome Ignacia! I'm here to help.

[@flachlandbraut]

YESSSSSS ❣️

[@prisstribute2628]

Mark Baxter, you have so many wonderful lessons and they all have helped me improve but this ones a NUGGET!! Bless you.

[@voicelessondotcom]

I'm happy to help.

[@diyeimeta3339]

Grandioso Mark!

[@stephenbutler9244]

Take lessons on line from Mark. It will change your life! Great teacher with vocal instruction designed just for you and your needs.

[@khaledqasim]

Mark is the real deal👍✌

[@leilanimartin5711]

How did you know that this is the exact lesson that I needed at this time?? Thank you so much for making the concept of belting so clear. I've been looking at many approaches to this technique, but I haven't found an approach yet that made me feel comfortable and confident in producing this tone -- until now, that is! I've been working this lesson since you first posted it, and it has had an amazing effect on my ability to produce more stinky sweet savory tones! Opens up a lot of repertoire for a lyrical soprano who's switched over to rock! Thank you, Mark!

[@voicelessondotcom]

Keep it stinky Leilani!

[@leilanimartin5711]

I've been working this lesson consistently for the last four months, and -- not to toot my own horn -- I'm sounding pretty darn stinky now and am much more comfortable and confident in asking for this sound and knowing that I know how to be stinky -- what a gift!?! You're awesome!

[@flintlong2937]

I totally agree with Nightingale below. I feel guilty for learning so much without paying you for it! But what the heck, I'm teaching Boogie Woogie piano on KZbin and....same thing!

[@anupk.r.5012]

Have been bing watching your videos and implementing them slowly day by day, thank you for these videos Mark! You truly are a legend! \m/

[@voicelessondotcom]

Welcome to the channel Anup!

[@anupk.r.5012]

@@voicelessondotcom I'm from India and would like to learn from you, do you have Skype classes if yes, how much do you charge?

[@voicelessondotcom]

@@anupk.r.5012 Yes - I'm teaching online Monday through Thursday. Best to contact me at [e-mail] for information about lessons.

[@anupk.r.5012]

@@voicelessondotcom just shot you a mail :)

[@ckhprojectpro777]

thank you thank you thank you

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're welcome! Perspective is everything!

[@sacredwomensbusiness6799]

After doing this exercise a few times, I can’t Not hear you say ‘n a s t y’ now, & see your ‘bad nasty’ facial expression! Love this lesson! Thankyou Mark!!

[@voicelessondotcom]

Ewwww - that's nasty!

[@sacredwomensbusiness6799]

🤣

[@sinistra_handed_guitarist2939]

My Sunday practice exercises has encompassed many of your lessons , thank you , I am feeling and hearing the benefits 👏👏

[@kenk2345]

Doing a variety of voice exercises, perhaps also key to good vocal timbre? Both wide open throat "yawn" sounds AND brighter "twang" scales. These exercises not so much a way of singing, but a means of giving our voice a readiness ...for the full spectrum of life. thx.

[@karlocage]

thank you You're a great teacher

[@sage9836]

Every time I watch one of your videos I learn something so fun it's like a new toy, except it's just my voice with a new skill added. Sure, I have to practice, but it's more like just playing!

[@voicelessondotcom]

That's exactly what practice should be . . . FUN!

[@Mauddekorte]

Hi Mark Baxter, Im a big fan of your videos. Your enthusiasm is really an inspiration to me. I studied singing at the conservatory in the Netherlands six years ago and I teach my own students and use your tips every now and then. Now I am a bit confused. In this video you use the words Twang and Belt together but also refer to both registers. I was told belting is singing hight notes with high pressure, like screaming, in the speaking voice or "modaal" as we say in Holland. As soon as Im in the higher register (falset) you don't say belt but you use twang to make this distinctive sound. I noticed Carolin Saddling (CVT) is also using twang as a word to describe belting. I use twang in both registers, and I think I hear you do the same in this video. Belting can only be done in the lower register right? It may just be a translation thing but can you clear this for me please? Thank you in advance, Im looking forward to your next video! Greeting Maud de Korte

[@voicelessondotcom]

Hi Maud - Your question is exactly why I posted a previous video with the suggestion that we forgo the mechanical descriptions and use colorful adjectives regarding the intended sound. Even while singing in an fMRI machine or while being X-rayed there is no definitive line between any of the vocal behaviors. At what point is the pressure enough to classify a belt? At what point is the thyroaryteniod reduced enough to classify the difference between modaal and falset? It always comes down to very individual observations and perceptions. The difficulty when teaching voice is that people use the words belt, chest, head, falsetto, whistle, scream and yell to describe various sounds - but it locks them into restrictive behaviors when doing so. Twang is simply a vocal color, like ring or hooty that can be present in any mode of singing. Your confusion is the very reason I don't use the word twang when teaching - I use bright. That's just my approach - and I know it's not the approach at the conservatory. But it's been my experience that the most direct connection between brain and voice is to ask for a sound rather than a behavior - no matter the genre. I hope this helps!

[@mailtv910]

Great fan of your teaching. I wonder, if a singer makes a "weird" or "funny" face during singing (involuntarily), is this a sure sign that they're using an "unnatural" and harmful technique to achieve a note? I think that from most of my observations, the moment that the facial expression of a singer looks "off", the note usually sounds off, too. Is this the case? Is there such a thing as a healthy note delivered with an unusal facial expression?

[@ninij9692]

I'm scaring the 10 week old kittens with the na na na na na whine lol 😳. I guess I found a voice to use to get their attention...

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Always great real world knowledge. I'm always grateful.

[@deloresrobert8931]

Thank u great i am breathing better great work like a vain get loose between my shoulders thank u

[@voicelessondotcom]

Glad to help!

[@MrDanee22]

Great Stuff DUDE! :)

[@voicelessondotcom]

Free your mind - and your voice will follow!

[@TinaMiller123]

Also I shake real bad, and from what I know that can effect my singing abilities. I went to the doc, and it looks very poss I will be getting botox injections in my neck, and not to look younger, but to stop the tremors. Is painful to have done.. I could end having over 100 shots in my neck. I am so not looking forward to that. These botox injections do work. However, I need to be still to sing, properly. A wobbly head kind of makes it hard to sing. lol.

[@TimD.Morand]

@HeavenlyPeace: Did you have this procedure done? How did it turn out?

[@surtaalrecords4659]

Thank you sir

[@TONDJO-STATION]

I like the voice of Maynard James Keenan (Tools), especially when he sings with the mixed voice (and a little bit of cry). How does he do that ? and what exercises to achieve this ?

[@voicelessondotcom]

You achieve that by NOT thinking "I'll sing in my mix voice with a little bit of cry." You achieve it by diving deep into the lyrics.

[@TinaMiller123]

And one more thing. I read singing makes a person lose weight. Is that true? I am very skinny, but I notice after singing for about a week, that I lost some more weight, not that I need to lose any. I need to gain. I read a person can burn a lot of calories singing, burn even more calories, while standing up. Hey, no more diet pills, just sing and lose weight. No need to for the gym. Sing your way to a slimmer you.

[@into.the.wood.chipper.]

Singing can not tone the stomach, but sneezing can... And after a month of allergies, I once was surprised to find that my normally distended stomach (from Crohn's) was toned and sculpted from all the involuntary ACHOO (non-stop). This greatly impacted my breath support, which in turn helped with singing and projecting. You can get the same benefits from jogging, swimming, or riding a bicycle every day. Any cardio is GREAT for the voice! Just make sure to drink lots of water so that you don't get dehydrated.

[@Potacintvervs]

Lmao. Thats another kind of open throat... that is nasty, LOL

[@voicelessondotcom]

OOOOOOh yeah!

[@SeemoreDunkan]

Would you recommend this exercise if someone has swollen vocal folds? caused by shouting (a lot) and perhaps a ''silent reflux'' in combination? no nodules of polyps, but there are microscopic blisters. my folds aren't closing enough especially when going to the low notes, or even ''breathy'' notes.

[@voicelessondotcom]

Absolutely not. This exercise is like the icing on the vocal cake. First step for you is to address the swelling - then the behavior that caused the swelling and the blisters. Start here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4TKmGWPiql6fpY When that's successful move on to the other exercises in my "Voice Recovery" playlist.

[@SeemoreDunkan]

Thank you so much. Will do.

[@Neidytrozeski]

Loooove it!!!

[@myrazuckerman4647]

rich rich lesson.

[@OdiseasGeorgiadis]

U DA MANNNNN

[@TinaMiller123]

Who farted? That's just nasty. lol. (Excuse me while I hold my nose and sing). On a different note... I also dig your singing in this video. I believe I can sing silly songs to. (I hear cats in heat). ..Oh wait! that was my singing. Thanks for these cool vocal exercises. I love vocalizing with different sounds. You should hear my opera. It's quite entertain'.:)

[@sinkeophommachack1289]

Every good Tec a how to sing thanks

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're welcome!

[@lungisaxiao_llumayekiso2155]

That was so helpful

[@SLP-eb1wp]

The best

[@flachlandbraut]

I have to let go all that mindfck about: BREEZE IN - HOLD YOUR DIAPRAGM ...... over your head ..... or wherever .... 🤩😶 ........ LET YOUR TONGUE BE oben unten links rechts ..... you give me my true FREEEEEE wonderful voice back, dear. Love you much. DANKE❣️

[@mikelarkins5415]

So I am able to do the exercises, but how I convert that into the singing?

[@voicelessondotcom]

By "asking" for the appropriate sound for whatever lyric you're singing rather than thinking about behaviors like chest, head, mix or belt.