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How can you tell if you are singing from your diaphragm?

Diaphragm singing?

  • I've always been taught to sing with my diaphragm, but how do I know if I'm doing it right? I've been "singing with my diaphragm" for so many years now, I don't remember how to sing with my throat (which I know you aren't supposed to do) so how can I tell if I'm correctly using my diaphragm? are there any telltale signs I should feel? because sometimes i feel like I'm doing it wrong.

  • Answer:

    There is a huge misconception amongst vocal students that just because one's stomach is moving in and out that somehow implies that they are using proper breath support... in fact that is not true. For starter, the diaphragm moves up and down, not in and out... you can't feel it moving. (your diaphragm moves up and down, which forces air in and out of your lungs) I've also heard teachers say things like "try to push your stomach out while you sing" and some other stuff like that... however, something like that is a SECONDARY action which may or may not happen when you are supporting properly... if you focus on just doing that though, you will not gain proper support, you will only fool people into thinking you LOOK like you are supporting your sound because your stomach is moving. Just forget about that. Also, there are things you need to do in your throat to free up the space... such as raising your soft pallet. I've heard people explain it like pretending you have a backwards lightbulb in your mouth while you sing, or capturing the feeling of the "beginning of a yawn" to raise the soft pallet. This will give you height and space in your throat to allow the sound to resonate. All these different things work together to create a classical sound... but if any part of the interferes or fails, the others will have a hard time compensating.

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Other answers

One of the biggest ways you can tell if you are singing from your diaphragm is if you are breathing with your belly. When you take a breath to sing, push out your stomach and use the muscles in abdomen to push the air out when you exhale. Dont shrug your shoulders!!

amantedicorno

I've never actually used a diaphragm, but my exwife did and it couldn't sing worth a hoot. It did get air under it once or twice though.

thexrayboy

when you sing your stomach area will expand and contract deeply. If it isn't, you aren't singing from your diaphragm.

Tiff

My chorus teacher always tells us that diaphragm singing is from the stomach, and that the sound should kind of billow up THROUGH the throat. Singing with the throat is kinda like Broadway/popstar singing.

spaldingpunk

If you place your hand on your abdomen at the base of your ribcage (just under the sternum) you should be able to feel your diaphragm moving. If you don't feel anything while you sing then you are not using your diaphragm. You could also get someone else to use the method and check for you if you are not sure of what you are feeling or not feeling.

Lokikona

Hmmm, If you are breathing correctly, it doesn't mean that you won't strain your voice, it sounds like its more to do with your relaxation techniques. if you are tense when you are singing, or perhaps pushing from your throat, then chances are you'll probably strain your voice. the trick is that all the power comes from your diaphragm, and the throat is allowed to open out, to just let the sound come out. It may also be that you are not warmed up enough, i couldn't just sing a high c without warming my voice up for it, well not easily anyway. what do you think??

jazzy

I'm trying to imagine it, and it sounds like you know how to do it and how to breathe correctly. Is there anything else going on - sinus and/or allergy issues, maybe? I know I can be brilliant one day and hate myself the next because of my sinuses. Do you drink a lot of milk? Milk can make you have too much mucus just like aggravated sinuses do, and too much mucus will affect your singing voice.

lil southern girl

Lie on the floor with your head raised on a book. Relax and watch your abdomen go up and down as you breathe. Make a sound like a motorboat, "ppppp". Your abdomen will not go down as fast. That is how you know you are supporting correctly.

mfg

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