This course is for singers and singing teachers who want to explore the mechanism of belt in its many guises. It doesn't set out to give you all of the answers, because no course, teacher or "method" can. 

This isn't a method, it's a gateway; what I have done is bring together many strands of the existing research, the wisdom of other practitioners, and four decades of my own singing and teaching experience and research. Here you will find everything you need in order to establish or improve belt, whether in yourself or your students. However, please be advised that this course is not intended for very inexperienced singers or novice teachers.

Like everything else in singing, the mastery of belt cannot be rushed, so if you're looking for a quick fix or a "Push button A, get result B" approach, you're in the wrong place. Patience, practise and time are required in order to master this range of techniques, all of which can be modified to suit your particular voice. If you rush, your body will not have time to adjust to and embed each new stage of the learning. I recommend that you spend 4 - 6 weeks fully exploring the contents of each module and then applying it in your own singing, or in your teaching studio (there's no better way of deepening your understanding of a subject than by teaching it)!

Everything you study in this course is rooted in science and research conducted by some of the greatest brains in voice geekery, but it is deliberately not presented in a sciencey, intellectual way because as you will discover, thinking about belting is the Number 1 way to prevent it from happening. Belt is a feeling, and a primal instinct; we have to learn not to let intellect get in its way. (That's actually the hard part, right there). 

Whatever you do, take your time with each module, and complete the course in order. You can go back to any lesson, exercise, video or concept to review it at any time, and I recommend that you build revision into your study as a matter of routine. You'll find that the second (or third!) time you dip into a module, the techniques make more sense and feel more natural. And of course, that's what we're going for! 

If you've never belted, or if you've been told that you can't, or you've tried but ended up hoarse and frustrated with your progress, then you will find here everything you need to start your journey to power vocals. More experienced singers will find new ways to explore and develop their skill-set.

I have set out to explore belt in all its forms, and in all registers. There are many advocates of certain "methods" out there who will tell you that "belting can only occur above the first passaggio", or "belt only exists in chest voice", and that it can't be done in head voice at all! As ever, I lean towards the opinion that those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it...

Is this "the ultimate guide to literally everything there is or has ever been to know about belting?" Of course not - such a thing doesn't exist. But it is a deep dive into some of the most important - and above all useful - techniques and approaches that I have found to the mysterious and dark art of sounding as though your soul is being ripped out via your throat, while minimising potentially damaging wear and tear on your precious vocal instrument! There is so much to explore here. I really hope that you find joy and new means of expression in it. 

With huge thanks to my former and current students and colleagues, from whom I am constantly learning; to those practitioners whose wisdom and knowledge informed the creation of this course; to Christine Jones and Darren Martyn for their enormous help with feedback and edits, and to my Dad - a life-long professional singer - who taught me that although belting is great, shouting is stupid, and never to be that singer who is simply trying to be louder and higher than everyone else.

Enjoy!

Ria Keen, for The Voice College