An overview
Edge, like Overdrive, is a full-metallic mode. The character of Edge is lighter, sharper, and screamier than Overdrive. Edge has a non-breathy character. Edge can be found by distinct twanging of the epiglottic funnel (as if imitating a duck). Edge can be used in all pitches by men. Women can use Edge through all the various parts of the voice up to the High C. Women cannot sing in Edge in the very high part of the voice.
Only twanged vowels can be used in Edge, as a distinct twang is a condition for the mode. Accordingly, you must use only these vowels: ‘I’ (as in sit), ‘EH’ (as in ‘stay’), ‘A’ (as in ‘and’), and ‘OE’ (as in ‘herb’).
The sound colour in Edge can be altered less than in the other modes, especially in the high part of the voice.The volume in Edge is mostly loud. However, medium loud volume can be obtained. The higher the notes, the louder and more distinct the screaming character can become.
Edge is used in many styles of popular music and mostly in the high part of the voice, when the volume is very loud and there is a great amount of metal in the notes. Examples include heavy rock, gospel and powerful soul music.
Edge is used in classical music when men sing very loudly (‘ff’ or ‘fortissimo’) in the high part of the voice, such as the High C of a tenor. Women do not use Edge in classical music.
Edge is used in everyday life when you scream.
Formerly ‘Belting’
The term ‘Belting’ is a common word to describe loud singing, so it was an obvious choice for the name of the full-metallic vocal mode. However, during the years I have seen so many singers get confused by the term ‘Belting’ because it is now used with too many different meanings. Some use the word ‘Belting’ for a Curbing sound, some for an Overdrive sound and some even use the term for a twanged Neutral sound. In order to prevent this confusion I therefore will avoid using the term ‘Belting’. Where I formerly wrote ’Belting’ I will now replace it with the term ‘Edge’.
The term Edge is used exclusively for the powerful and full-metallic sound.
Singers who often sing or sang in Edge
Anastacia, Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden), Bob Dylan, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Kate Pierson & Cindy Wilson (The B-52’s), Styx, and Steven Tyler (Aerosmith).
Especially in the high part of the voice: Anita Baker, Shirley Bassey, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Randy Crawford, Ronnie James Dio, Celine Dion, Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Marie Fredriksen (Roxette), Judy Garland, Woodie Guthrie, Buddy Guy, Tramaine Hawkins, Jennifer Holiday, Mahalia Jackson, Mick Jagger, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Jon Bon Jovi, ‘Baby Jean’ Kennedy (Mothers Finest), Cyndi Lauper, Freddie Mercury, Liza Minelli, Youssou N’Dour, Dolly Parton, Percy Sledge, Barbra Streisand, Tina Turner, and Hank Williams.
Also included are male classical singers who sing loudly in the high part of the voice, such as Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
Condition for Edge
Full-metal
Distinct twang of the epiglottic funnel
Pitch in Edge
Edge can be used by men in all pitches, also above a High C. Women can use Edge through all the various parts of the voice up to the High C. Women cannot sing in Edge in the very high part of the voice.
Edge is especially used by women in the high part of the voice, when they cannot sing higher in Overdrive than the limit at D5-Eb5, but want the volume to be as powerful. Men use Edge when they want the sharp, loud and full-metallic sound.
It applies to both men and women that the volume increases as the pitch gets higher. The sound also becomes sharper and more shrill and the vowels more twanged.
There is no limit to how low you can sing in Edge.
Vowels in Edge
In Edge you can only use the vowels ‘I’ (as in ‘sit’), ‘EH’ (as in ‘stay’), ‘A’ (as in ‘and’) and ‘OE’ (as in ‘herb’). It might seem as if all vowels can be used in Edge in the low part of the voice because the vocal modes resemble each other here. But if you want to be sure you are in Edge, especially in the high part of the voice, it is necessary to alter the vowels to ‘I’, ‘EH’, ‘A’, and ‘OE’ in order to remain in the mode.
Volumes in Edge
Edge is a mode with a powerful volume. The quietest volume attainable is medium loud (‘mf’ or ‘mezzo forte’). The volume is usually louder in the higher part of the voice.
Sound colours in Edge
The sound colour in Edge is generally light and shrill but can be coloured in other directions. It is not difficult to produce a lighter sound colour, but if you want a darker or softer sound, you need to have impeccable control of the three overall principles. You also need to know your voice so well that you can feel it the instant you exceed its healthy limits. It is important to realise that the lighter you make a metallic mode, the better you secure yourself against misusing the voice.
Edge in classical singing
Men use Edge in classical singing from around A4-Bb4 and upwards when the volume needs to be very loud and penetrating (for example Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo). Women do not use Edge in classical singing.
