The diaphragm is a layer of muscle that separates the chest cavity, where the heart and lungs are located, along with the internal organs of the body. The diaphragm may be known to cause spasms and hiccups, but it's also an important part of singing. Singing properly requires the support of diaphragmatic breathing, which uses muscles to force air from the lungs into the vocal cords. If you want to become a better singer, learn to strengthen those muscles and sing properly.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Strengthening the Diaphragm
Step 1. Learn to know the position of the diaphragm muscle
Unlike the biceps, you may find it difficult to feel the diaphragm, so it's important to learn where it is located. This way you can strengthen these muscles for singing.
- The best way to imagine singing with a diaphragm is to think of it like a platform or tabletop. This muscle must be strong and stable and able to provide a foundation for sound to escape through the air column.
- If you have difficulty feeling your diaphragm, lie flat on the floor and place a weight on your stomach, like a big book. Push the weight up using the muscles in your stomach. Simultaneously, inhale air into the lungs until they are full. Then sing, the muscle you use at that time is the diaphragm.
Step 2. Practice breathing through your diaphragm
To breathe through the diaphragm, inhale as deeply as possible while pushing your stomach out as far as possible in a stable body position. Then exhale and pull the stomach back in. Make sure your shoulders don't move.
- The muscles used when breathing should remain strong but not stiff when singing. The chest, shoulder, and facial muscles should remain relaxed.
- Think of yourself as a chimney, and the song that comes out of the chimney comes from the diaphragm, out of the lungs, and up.
Step 3. Perform diaphragmatic breathing strengthening exercises
Exercise your diaphragm regularly. When you have learned to breathe properly, you need to strengthen your diaphragm. Take deep breaths from the diaphragm, and as you practice, count as many as you can, counting slowly and steadily, then note how much progress the exercise is making each day.
- Exercise with “milk shakes”. Pretend you are sucking through a straw. Remember to keep your shoulders and chest steady. Hold your hand on your stomach to notice movement.
- Do "dog breathing". Breathe like a dog panting. Just remember to keep your chest and shoulders in position, then hold your hands on your stomach again.
- Practice “bathroom pressure”. Just like the name suggests, this exercise can also help you learn to sing with your diaphragm. Keeping your shoulders and chest steady, exhale as hard as you would when you have a bowel movement. Place your hands on the stomach area.
Step 4. Practice breathing while singing
If you want to strengthen your diaphragm for singing, you will need to do these breathing exercises regularly, doing them several times each day. You can do it anywhere, anytime, with relative ease as it doesn't require any special equipment. You only need sound.
Practice breathing while you're driving to work or while watching television. There's no reason not to practice something super easy. And you'll soon notice a big difference when singing with quick and precise practice
Method 2 of 2: Singing Right
Step 1. Always warm up
Vocal and breathing exercises are very important to warm up the voice before singing. Singing from the diaphragm is only one part of how to sing properly, and it must be combined with other exercises. Anytime before you start singing for a long time, you should:
- Take one deep breath and hold it for a few seconds then slowly release it. As you inhale, raise your hands until your hands touch each other, then slowly lower your hands down while exhaling. Do it three to five times.
- Start with the lowest note you can sing and work your way up to the highest note you can sing, without pushing. Do not rush. The slower the better. This exercise helps you control your breath and warms up your vocal cords for singing.
Step 2. Stand with good posture when singing
When singing with your diaphragm, you have to take deeper, longer breaths. To do this, your body must be in perfect posture. Keep your back straight, lower your shoulders down, and focus on maintaining this position while breathing and giving as much room as possible for sounds and breaths.
The diaphragm is located just below the rib cage, which holds the lungs together, while a slouching position pushes the ribs toward the lungs thereby preventing them from widening downwards, which is required for deep breaths
Step 3. Sing with your throat open
Look in the mirror as you yawn, look and feel the opening in your throat. This is necessary when you sing, as relaxed as possible. To allow air to flow more naturally from your diaphragm, you need to practice singing with your throat open.
Pretend you have a ball in your throat forcing it to stay open. Practice singing while keeping your throat open. It may take you a bit of time to get to your usual loudest note, but this step is essential to maintaining the strength of your voice
Step 4. Practice the two “parts” of the sound
Think of your voice as being split in two, but connected. High notes are called head voices and low notes are chest voices. To bring out the full sound of each voice, you must sing from your diaphragm, but learning the differences between the two types of voice and the movement between them can help with pitch placement.
Do regular breathing exercises to get used to the sensation of movement between the two sounds. Try singing intervals to practice both voices and strengthen their transitions
Step 5. Practice pronouncing consonants
Difficult consonants often become inaudible when singing. Try repeating consonants like "The tip of the tongue and the teeth and the lips." Sing the phrase over and over again in a single note, until all the words can be heard clearly with full breathing support from the diaphragm.
Tips
- Put your hand on the diaphragm, and if it feels up and down, you've done it right.
- Practicing with a professional vocal coach is highly recommended. Vocal practice can help you become a better singer.
- Always warm up before starting to sing. Stretch and practice singing at different levels to get your voice out completely.
- Record your voice as you sing, and hear the difference in the strength of the voice.
Warning
- Don't force the sound. You can permanently damage your vocal cords.
- While you won't be injured for long, if you continue to sing from your throat, you will eventually experience it. This injury can damage your vocal cords.
