Through guided study using video demonstrations, audio clips, and informative historical narrative, you will learn the technical and interpretive vocal skills necessary to master the styles of pop/rock greats, such as John Lennon / Paul McCartney, Janis Joplin, Robert Plant, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Madonna, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Tori Amos, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, and many others.
Great songs don’t write themselves. They come from great singer-songwriters who equip themselves with the skills and tools to make the most of their ideas. That means reaching a level of vocal and instrumental proficiency that allows your songs to shine. In this program, that instrumental proficiency is tailored to singer-songwriters who play guitar. The program culminates with strategies developed by legendary Berklee professor Pat Pattison for writing the brilliant lyrics common to many hit songs. You’ll leave this course with an understanding of how best to create unified, memorable songs.
A successful vocalist is ready for whatever the gig demands. This certificate program will develop your technique and skills in the jazz, R&B, pop, and rock genres so that you'll be comfortable with almost any set list you may encounter in the studio, on the stage, or on the road. Whether you’re a seasoned professional vocalist looking to expand your repertoire, reach, and/or opportunities, or an amateur who wants to sing more effectively, studying with Berklee’s renowned faculty will afford you an understanding of vocal technique across genres that is sure to prove helpful for years to come.
Learn techniques for powerful singing—without injuring your voice.
Belting is a powerful and vibrant popular singing style, but it can be hard on the voice, even career-ending. But belting does not have to be harmful! If you are interested in learning how to belt healthfully, effectively and musically—this book is for you. Author Jeannie Gagné has carefully researched, taught, and refined this approach over two decades of teaching at Berklee College of Music, and in her private studio. This book includes exercises with audio accompaniment, studies of vocal anatomy, teaching you how to understand your unique voice, and video tutorials that show you how to belt healthfully with great creative expression.
You will learn to:
“This book is not only a wonderful resource for singers on the subject of belting, but in my opinion, it is the new must-have industry ‘bible’ for established and new vocalists. I love and appreciate the emphasis on vocal preservation.”
—Maysa, Soul/Jazz/R and B Diva (Lead Singer for Incognito, Stevie Wonder, Dave Koz and Friends, Shanachie, Oprah)
“I love this book! Jeannie Gagné provides a fantastic, well-researched text that takes the mystery out of belting, establishing a clear, sound approach to developing an individualized, powerful belt voice. As a classically trained singer and teacher of singing, I once had the misconception as many others do that belting was harmful for the voice. As a medical voice therapist and singing voice specialist, I have had the opportunity to work with many singers across multiple styles that incorporate belting as a stylistic feature. I now work regularly on belting with my singers, and it can indeed be employed just as healthfully as other vocal qualities. However, the approach to belting is often misunderstood, and there have been few resources available for students and teachers alike on the subject. This book makes things clear for the student, and is also a great resource for voice teachers.”
—Douglas F. Roth, M.M., M.A., CCC-SLP, Associate Director of the Voice and Swallowing Center at Tufts Medical Center, Speech-Language Pathologist/Voice Therapist, Teacher of Singing, Professional Singer
“Finally, a comprehensive singing manual that deals with the art of belting in a safe, practical, and contemporary way. The true power of this book lies in its depth of knowledge, awareness, visualization of the voice and how it all works, and how it can work for the individual. This book may possibly be the handbook of technique and maintenance for the contemporary vocalist.”
—Everett Bradley, GRAMMY®-nominated Singer/Musician and Television/Theater Composer (Bruce Springsteen, Hall and Oates, Quincy Jones, Bobby McFerrin, Broadway’s SWING, The Meredith Vieira Show)
“Jeannie has unlocked the mysteries of healthy belting in this comprehensive book. It can be used by singers in all stages of their growth to strengthen the voice and add power and flair to their sound. I highly recommend Belting for all singers.”
—Gabrielle Goodman, Professor of Voice at Berklee College of Music, Vocalist (Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Mary J. Blige, Michael Bublé), GRAMMY-winning Songwriter
“I am thrilled to be able to recommend Belting to all of the pop, jazz, and R and B vocalists that I work with. The techniques presented in this superior guide are truly unique, and will most definitely serve singers in preserving their voices for beautiful singing, especially those belters out there whose voices would otherwise have a very short lifespan. Bravo!”
—Eve Nelson, Composer, Producer, and Songwriter (Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, Modern Family, London Symphony Orchestra, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen)
Jeannie Gagné’s career as a professional singer and professor of voice at Berklee College of Music spans over thirty years….