I don't know if anyone here is into musical theatre but I'm singing Nothing from A Chorus Line (really love it!) And its really meant to be sung in an Americany Bronx accent... But I can hear myself singing really in my nose when I sing it... I know you're not meant to but I just cannot do the accent without singing down my nose... Is this supposedto happen? My singing teacher said that it does usually happen when you sing in an American accent but when I listen to American singers I can't hear it....
Another thing about accents is that my teacher always wants me to sing songs in a perfectly British accent... I know we're in Britain etc. etc. but surely if the musical is from another place it should be sung in that accent? (Unless its set in a place where the accent is not really singable)

so sorry if none of this makes any sense!!
LeaSalonga

Hi LeaSalonga

Firstly, have you heard anyone from the Bronx speak? That accent does have a nasal quality.

Secondly, if you've been listening to Americans singing operatically, bear in mind that they are deliberately trying to eliminate the accent. So it won't sound particularly American, nor will it nasal.

Thirdly, a proper "musical theatre" belt (which I only started learning at the masterclass I went to last month, so anyone with more experience of belting please correct me ), starts the sound right forwards in the nose before letting it come back into the usual place - so it will initially sound very nasal indeed! Lighten and soften the consonants on the words as you let the sound come back (exactly the opposite of the deliberate diction we have been brought up with), and you'll get somewhere near the effect you want.

Good luck with it!

Cheers

Katyjay

I think it's ok for you to sound nasal when doing a Bronx accent. I played Adelaide in Guys and Dolls last summer and was very nasal in both my speaking and singing. Of course, the character called for a particularly nasal sound, but the New York City accent I used contributed to that. Try listening to some recordings of singers singing in the Bronx accent. Perhaps the cast album?

Hi! Sorry to butt in..but just a question to Katyjay or anyone else who might have some info..can you explain to me about 'musical theatre belting'? I have come across the term a lot and I've heard teachers say it can be dangerous if not done properly..(which apparently happens a lot!)

How can you do it safely?
How does it differ from classical singing?

Grateful for any info on this...thanks!

Hi Songflower!

Belting is the style in which a lot of singers in musicals, and pop singers, use. It gives a much "harder" sound, in my opinion, than the bel canto singing of opera or art-songs, and projects very effectively (yes, I know a good bel canto note should travel as well.....). It's achieved by moving your voice much further forwards than you do with bel canto - from the nose backwards rather than from the throat forwards, if you see what I mean.

It can generally only be managed with your lower register or by mixing belt and head-voice to reach intermediate notes. High notes need your usual head-voice.

Doing it wrong can be a mix of shouting and singing, and may hurt your throat. As with any singing, proper belting shouldn't hurt.

I've only attempted it under strict supervision from my regular teacher, and with a musical-theatre teacher (with the permission of my regular teacher). I wouldn't want to try on my own.


Hope that makes some sense.

Cheers

katyjay