| Description |
Belt, mix and classical are three terms for distinguishing the different sounds used in musical theatre vocal repertoire. Each requires different techniques regarding resonance space, vowels, laryngeal position, and breath management. For years, there has been a debate among vocal pedagogues questioning the risk of belt and mix singing. Through my journey at the University of Utah in the BFA Musical Theatre Program, I was interested in demystifying the assumptions and questions presented about belt and mix technique, and defining those sounds in my own voice. I documented my personal discoveries gained through private instruction, at-home experimentation, comments from competition judges, and inspiration from peers, to provide a detailed overview of each technique. In this thesis I discuss the varying opinions on each and compare the outside sources with my own experience. In musical theatre, it is vital for the female singer to acquire maximum proficiency in each register to broaden her marketability, overall vocal health, and opportunities in the industry. |
