A lot of singers want to learn how to belt but often strain their voices because they’re either attempting songs that are too challenging or trying to sing outside their comfortable range. Here’s an important principle to remember: “comfort zone plus one.” If you leap from your comfort zone to something impossible, your system becomes stressed, and progress slows. Instead, you should build up gradually.

Today, we’re going to use Adele’s “Someone Like You” as an example. This song is part of the Grade 4 Rock School syllabus, which I teach, particularly to kids and teens. The Rockschool syllabus is excellent for building singing skills from beginner to professional level, and I highly recommend it.

Why “Someone Like You” is Great for Beginner Belters

Let me clarify—this song is suitable for beginner belters, not beginner singers. If you’re just starting your singing journey, your focus should be on discovering your vocal registers, specifically chest voice and head voice. Once you’ve developed some control over these, you can start blending them, and only after that should you begin belting.

Belting means you’re singing with a predominance of chest voice, even past the bridge between chest and head voice. It creates a powerful sound but must be done correctly to avoid strain and injury. If you’ve been singing for a while and have developed both chest and head voice, you can start belting safely.

The chorus of “Someone Like You” is ideal for practicing belting because it sits right at the bridge between these registers. The song’s range is safe for intermediate singers to start exploring belting.

Preparing to Belt with Chest Voice

Another reason I love this song for students transitioning from beginner to intermediate is that the verse is entirely in chest voice. The verse is low, with long notes and plenty of breathing space, allowing you to stay relaxed and not strain. This gradual preparation is key to belting.

Now, why isn’t this song for complete beginners? For one, the verse includes some low notes—going down to an E3—which is not easy, especially for sopranos. If you’re struggling with this, rather than changing the key, try modifying the melody to fit your range.

Navigating the Pre-Chorus to Chorus Jump

The jump from the pre-chorus to the chorus—where it goes from a C# to an A—is a big one. When you’re starting with belting, this can feel challenging. One way to make this easier is by putting more energy into the low notes of the bridge. For sopranos like me, it’s difficult to sustain low notes, so syncing your breathing with your body tone and the energy you want to project will help.

When it comes to the actual belting in the chorus, Adele uses the consonant “N” in “Never mind.” This is a great tool because the “N” sound helps give you the impulse you need to move into the vowel smoothly and with strength. The tip of your tongue should press against the hard palate, right above the teeth, and then release into the vowel. Staying a little longer on the “N” prepares your voice for the next note, making the transition much easier.

The Power of Dynamics in Singing

It’s important to remember that music is not just about hitting the right notes—it’s about expression and dynamics. Just like when you’re speaking, your emotions fluctuate, and so should your voice. If you sing without dynamics, the song will feel flat and boring. Singing is a blend of learning the song, mastering the technique, and expressing the music.

In the second part of the chorus, Adele switches from belting to head voice when she sings, “Don’t forget me.” This transition is essential because it allows you to use both registers effectively, which is key for developing as a singer.

Conclusion

“Someone Like You” is a fantastic song to start belting safely if you’re ready for it. Remember to stay mindful of your vocal technique, balance your chest and head voices, and use dynamics to bring your singing to life.

If you want to dive deeper into functional singing, check out my membership program, where we cover these topics and more in detail. 

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