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How to Audition for a Vocal Talent Competition

What is the Belt Voice?

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Jennifer Rutherford
Voice Instructor and Performer, Private and International School of Music, Bethesda
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeylx9b/jenniferrutherfordsingerartist/  
301-365-9358 H 301-657-0763 W (ISM)

Jennifer has sung all styles from opera to jazz.  She has a Master's in performance from the University of Alberta, and has performed opera, oratorio, and her own solo show, in Canada, the US and abroad.  She now specializes in one-woman floor shows for banquets and special occasions, performing mostly show tunes, jazz, and ballads, and incorporating her own written dialog specific to the client's occasion. She recently took her act to Central Europe, where it was very well received, and is now finishing up her next CD.

What is the Belt Voice?

In this video, professional voice instructor Jennifer Rutherford of International School of Music, and private teacher in Bethesda Maryland, describes how to prepare for a competition like American Idol, or any other audition. Some tips on preparation, vocal health, song choice, and audition etiquette are covered. Warm ups are also suggested and demonstrated with student and model, Mair. The video assumes that candidates will have some level of training or natural ability, but would also be useful for the amateur interested in pursuing training for a career in singing.

This series: 91,702 views

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Host: What is the belt voice?

Jennifer Rutherford: Well, it is probably best described as a really full speaking voice with some pitch added. It is a very open throated quality, using a lot of air from the belt that's how they have come up with the terminology Belt voice. You dont want to yell when you do this. It's like speaking in a crowded room, you have to communicate to someone on the other side of the room and it is kind of that bringing it down from the abdominal area quality that you want to use. Good now that's basically how you would sing a belt style of singing rather than -- which is more operatic and everybody will look at you funny if you are trying to do a pop song that way right? So the issue with this though is when you get up to the higher notes. High notes make them work. Because when are doing Opera, voice goes right up into the head and it is no problem when you are doing a high note. You always want to make sure that you are using that open throat especially when you are doing the higher note. Never strive for those high notes, never try to reach up and stretch the throat. It actually has the effect of making a larynx unable to stretch down and get those higher notes. So you want to make sure your throat is very open and full and then project from below. Let's try that now, good.

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