How trumpet-like is female broadway belting?

Belting is a vocal technique used in musical theater and pop singing. In contrast to classical female singing, it de-emphasizes energy in the fundamental frequency and emphasizes energy in the second to fourth harmonics. The spectrum often resembles that of a trumpet on notes around C5 (523 Hz). This study aimed to investigate spectral trends in five female belters using three different vowels on two slightly different pitches. The trumpet-like spectra are not produced by tuning resonances to harmonics, but rather by distributing supraglottal inertive reactance across the 500–3000 Hz range with a short (17 cm) mini-trumpet airway shape. Vowels produced are highly modified from normal speaking vowels. The results provide helpful information to both singers and vocal pedagogues in aiding belting strategies.