1.  Know your own range and the range of the song or songs you want to sing.

2.  Have a keyboard handy.

3.  Accept that you are going to be loud.

  Pick a song that takes you just over your break, and belt it.

 Use good technique! ◦  Sing from the diaphragm ◦  Focus the sound through the mask of the face

  Take the song up a step and sing it again ◦  Use the keyboard to ensure you don't revert

back to the original key

 Belt songs often allow you to stretch your range a little at a time ◦  Start in a lower, more comfortable range ◦  Build to the climax

 Emotional impact ◦  Power in strong emotion ◦ Helps overcome mental barriers that might hold you back

 Belt this time, without flipping into your head voice ◦  Five note scale in thirds

 Pick out the highest note you’ll have to sing and try to go a whole step beyond it

 Descending lines ◦ Helps to keep your throat from tightening ◦  “Ee” syllable

  Beginning of “Fortune Favors the Brave” from Aida

  “Think” by Aretha Franklin

  Last verse and chorus of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked

  Sing whatever you choose once ◦  It’s okay if it doesn’t sound great the first time

 Gather yourself together and sing it again  Do descending exercises if your throat

starts to tighten up  When you’re satisfied with your tone

quality and comfort level, congratulations! You’re done!