First and foremost: Let’s Address the Fatphobia & Stereotypes in the Room.

This perspective, while it challenges the traditional fatphobia narrative, still reinforces body shaming by suggesting that being in a larger body is beneficial for belting. It’s a misconception that heavier singers are naturally better at belting compared to those with smaller body types. This belief perpetuates stereotypes and biases related to body size.

Belting, like any vocal technique, relies on breath control, muscle coordination, and vocal fold function—not on a person’s body size. There is no evidence to support the claim that weight or body size inherently affects one’s ability to belt. Misconceptions like these draw undue attention to physical appearance instead of focusing on vocal skills and techniques (Texas A&M, 2023; Stimulus Journal, 2022).

Fatphobia is pervasive, often falsely linking body size to various abilities, including singing. This assumption is both inaccurate and damaging. Prioritising the development of vocal technique, breath management, and an understanding of vocal mechanics is far more relevant than making judgments based on appearance.

(And don’t even get me started on the fact that *if* fat people can ‘belt better’ then WHY aren’t we cast in more leading roles? Or is it not about how we sing? Hmmmm).

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Debunking the Weighted Blanket Theory: How Breath Flow and Vocal Fold Closure Drive Singing Power

Recently, claims have circulated that being a heavier person means you can ‘belt better’ and that using a weighted blanket on the shoulders if you live in a smaller body can enhance belting in singers by increasing thoracic pressure. While this might seem convincing, there is no scientific evidence to support such a practice. Effective singing, especially for styles that demand loudness like belting, is achieved through the precise balance of breath flow and vocal fold closure—not by adding external weight. This post will explain how loudness in singing is achieved, why the weighted blanket theory falls short, and what practices genuinely improve respiratory function for vocal performance.

How Loudness in Singing Works: The Interaction of Breath Flow and Subglottic Pressure

To sing loudly, it’s important to understand the dynamics of breath flow (the air moving up from the lungs) and subglottic pressure (the pressure beneath the vocal folds). Here’s a clear breakdown:

1. Breath Flow: During singing, air moves out of the lungs and towards the vocal folds. Effective breath flow isn’t about pushing out more air but rather about managing the air release steadily. Excessive, uncontrolled air can result in a breathy, weak sound.
2. Subglottic Pressure: Subglottic pressure develops below the vocal folds when they are closed. When the folds open briefly, the pressure causes them to vibrate and produce sound. Louder singing occurs when the vocal folds remain closed for a longer part of each vibratory cycle, allowing pressure to build up before being released. This increases the sound wave’s amplitude, creating a louder tone. Thus, loudness is a result of balanced breath flow with controlled resistance at the vocal folds (Voice Study Centre, 2023; The Voice Foundation, 2023).
3. Belting: is a vocal technique: which means it takes more than just breath flow and subglottic pressure to achieve, especially when we are talking about efficiency. Several other factors help to create a sustainable belt: vocal tract length, tongue position,vowel shapes… so if you’re looking for a shortcut to a better belt, you’re not going to find it with a weighted blanket.

Why It Matters: The key to loud singing is not merely about forcing out more air but managing the interaction between breath flow, subglottic pressure and vocal acoustics. When this is paired with consistent, ongoing practice we then start to experience the benefits of neuroplasticity, making it easier for us to access belt when we choose it.

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Why the Weighted Blanket Theory Falls Short

The theory that adding a weighted blanket can enhance belting arises from a misunderstanding of how breath and vocal mechanics function. While a weighted blanket may encourage deeper breathing by reducing high thoracic breathing (where the upper chest dominates), it does not influence subglottic pressure or enhance vocal fold function. Moreover, using a weighted blanket on the shoulders may lead to unwanted neck and shoulder strain (which in my experience, may singers report they already have, especially those with hypermobility disorders) which can negatively affect posture and breathing efficiency.

Scientific research shows that the effective engagement of respiratory and expiratory muscles is essential for balanced breath flow and proper subglottic pressure. External weights do not play a role in this internal coordination and can even introduce unnecessary tension that might hinder vocal production (Watson et al., 2022).

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What Actually Works: Strengthening Respiratory Muscles with EMST

Instead, if you are concerned about the efficiency of your breath, singers can benefit from focused training using devices like the Expiratory Muscle Strength Trainer (EMST). This tool is used in voice therapy for singers, athletes and to help with asthma, and helps to build strength and coordination of respiratory muscles through resistance training.

How EMST Devices Improve Singing

The EMST is a compact device that introduces resistance when you exhale, creating a seal that you need to burst through. This resistance makes your respiratory muscles work harder, which strengthens them over time. Here’s how it helps:

1. Strengthening Respiratory Muscles: Using the EMST helps condition the muscles responsible for managing airflow during exhalation. As you blow into the device, the seal offers resistance that you have to overcome, which makes the muscles stronger. Stronger muscles help manage breath flow more steadily, which is vital for consistent subglottic pressure during singing (Watson et al., 2022).
2. Improving Breath Management: The EMST allows singers to refine how they regulate breath, which is essential for vocal fold closure. This practice helps ensure steady pressure that supports powerful, clear vocal tones. Efficient breath management is key to sustained volume and precise vocal control (Pettersen & Bjørky, 2009).
3. Optimising Subglottic Pressure: By strengthening expiratory muscles, the EMST enhances how subglottic pressure is generated and maintained. For singers, this means producing controlled bursts of air that allow the vocal folds to vibrate optimally, creating louder, more resonant sounds without straining.

**Note: Before starting any respiratory training program, including the use of devices like the EMST, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have any ongoing breathing issues or other medical conditions. Proper guidance ensures safety and effectiveness.

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If you are a singing teacher and learnt something new from this one VocaLab blog post today, imagine what else you will learn in our 5-week signature Singing Teacher Training Course – The Vocal Educator Toolkit (VET)!

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Conclusion: Focus on Internal Techniques, Not External Gimmicks

Effective singing, especially in belting, is about balancing breath flow and subglottic pressure through the engagement of respiratory muscles. External weights like blankets do not contribute to this process. Instead, if you are finding managing breath flor tricky; tools like the EMST, along with proper training, can enhance the strength and coordination needed for powerful singing. Additionally, it is essential to move away from myths that associate body size with vocal ability and to foster a more inclusive understanding of singing talent.

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References:

• Voice Study Centre. (2023). Breath Management and Vocal Fold Closure. Retrieved from https://voicestudycentre.com
• The Voice Foundation. (2023). Understanding Voice Production. Retrieved from https://voicefoundation.org
• Herbst, C. T., Story, B. H., & Meyer, D. (2023). Acoustical theory of vowel modification strategies in belting. Journal of Voice. Chicago
• Sapir, S., Ramig, L. O., Hoyt, P., Countryman, S., O’Brien, C., & Hoehn, M. (2002). Speech loudness and quality 12 months after intensive voice treatment (LSVT®) for Parkinson’s disease: A comparison with an alternative speech treatment. Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica, 54(6), 296-303.
• Watson, A., et al. (2022). The physiology of singing and implications for ‘Singing for Lung Health’. BMJ Open Respiratory Research. Retrieved from https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com
• Pettersen, V., & Bjørky, M. (2009). Respiratory patterns in classical singing. Music Studies. Retrieved from https://musicstudies.org
• Texas A&M University. (2023). Fatphobia: What It Is And Why It’s A Problem. Retrieved from https://artsci.tamu.edu
• Stimulus Journal. (2022). Raising awareness of anti-fat stigma in healthcare. Retrieved from https://stimulus.journal.library.uta.edu