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Vocalists have a wide range of styles and techniques in singing. Some singers rely much more on a classical, operatic style. Others are belters. Some embrace a strong rock style. And there are many more ways of singing, all using the same vocal principles (see the performance guide on Vocal Technique). As musical theatre has evolved and embraced other genres, it has become important for singers to understand a variety of styles, whether bluegrass (like in Bright Star) or Motown (found in Dreamgirls).

Overall, there are a few basic styles of singing that can be adapted to different genres in musical theatre. This guide will explain the styles of legit, belt, contemporary, and pop/rock; how and why they are used; and how to recognize them in musicals.

Terminology

• Belting: Vocal style that pushes the chest voice beyond its natural range.
• Chest Voice: Using resonance in the chest, sometimes associated with lower notes.
• Dramatic: Usually a fuller and darker sound.
• Falsetto: Higher, breathier quality of the upper register.
• Head Voice: Using resonance in the head, sometimes associated with higher notes.
• Legit: Traditional musical theatre sound that relies on more classical and operatic training.
• Lyric: Usually a lighter and brighter sound.
• Mix Voice: Mixing the resonance of both the head and chest voice.
• Resonance: The vibrations of sound through the body.
• Tessitura: The area of your voice where the majority of a song sits.
• Timbre: Tonal quality.
• Vibrato: A pitch variation, usually determined by how much and how quickly the pitch varies, but still centered around a single note.
• Vocal Fry: A technique that creates a croaky or froggy tone.
• Voice Types: The classifications of similar vocal ranges.