3-17 How To Belt Without Straining

Straining when you belt? You’re not alone. But what if I told you there’s a way to hit powerful high notes without killing your voice? I’ll show you a trick I use when training singers for belting, so keep reading if you want to find out how to unlock your full vocal power.

Why Does Straining Happen When You Belt?

Belting is all about power and resonance, but many singers struggle with it because of:

Lack of proper breath support – Pushing too much air can lead to tension and strain.
Insufficient vocal cord closure – If your vocal folds don’t fully connect, your sound may be weak and breathy.
Improper vocal onset – Starting with a harsh glottal attack or too much air can set you up for failure.
Tension in the body – Stiffness in your jaw, neck, or shoulders can restrict your voice.

The Key to Effortless Belting

To belt powerfully and freely, you need to master coordination between breath, vocal fold closure, and resonance. And one of the best ways to train this is by tapping into natural, primal sounds we use in everyday life.

The YO! Exercise

One of the quickest ways to access your belt voice without strain is by using an energetic "YO!" – similar to calling out to someone across the street. Here’s how to do it correctly:

Pay attention to your onset – Avoid a hard glottal attack or an overly breathy start. Instead, aim for a balanced onset where air and tone begin together. Think of adding a soft "H" at the beginning.
Feel the vibration – When done correctly, you should feel a buzz on your hard palate (the roof of your mouth).
Use movement – Freeing your body helps free your voice! Try throwing your arms in the air or moving your hands as you sing.

Warm Up First for Best Results

Before trying this exercise, warming up is crucial! A proper warm-up preps your voice for belting by improving coordination and flexibility. I have a full-range vocal warm-up available in the description of my video, so be sure to do that first.

Strengthen Your Registers for Even Better Results

If your chest voice and falsetto aren’t developed, you might not get the best results with this exercise just yet. No worries—I’ve got you covered! Check out my playlist in the video description for exercises to strengthen your chest and falsetto registers.

Watch the Full Video for a Step-by-Step Demo

Now that you understand the science behind effortless belting, it’s time to see the YO! exercise in action. In my latest video, I’ll walk you through the technique so you can start applying it to your own singing.

🔗 Click here to watch the full video and transform your belting today!

Let me know how it works for you in the comments of the video! Happy singing! 🎶

Shari