6 Easy Steps on How to Sing from Diaphragm

In case you have been involved in singing for a considerable amount of time; I’m sure you have come across certain methods of how to sing from diaphragm. However, what exactly does this entail? What is a diaphragm and what is its use? Let us first consider what the meaning of the word diaphragm and its connection to singing.

Your vocal chords are like that of a musical instrument. While singing you need to have full control of your voice to hold notes properly and for a long time, bring dynamics into your voice to express the intended feeling, and to sing without a break or crack in your voice. This can be achieved only if you build and strengthen your vocal chords with breathing from your diaphragm.

Diaphragm is the muscle below your lungs and just above your stomach which controls inhaling and exhaling of breath. You must have often heard people say things like, ” Breathe from your diaphragm when you sing”. You might have wondered why people say that when you know you are supposed breathe with the help of your lungs.

What they actually mean is proper breathing is a major requirement for proper singing. Once you develop breath control, you will be able hold long notes, improve your tonal quality and throw your voice to a larger distance. As babies all of us are born with correct breathing capabilities. That is why a child’s wail can be heard at a long distance even when its lungs are so tiny. Since as children we do not know the wrong way of breathing our voice resonates and can be heard loudly and clearly. It is as we grow up that we take shallow breaths from the top part of our lungs resulting in voice breaking and gasping at even a little effort.

Steps on how to Sing from Your Diaphragm:

Step 1- Learn the muscle movements associated with singing. The diaphragm is a muscle at the bottom of the solar plexus which moves to pull and push air into and out of your lungs. Shallow breathing is done with the top of the lungs leaving no work for the diaphragm and half used lungs resulting in short breaths. So practice to breathe deeply from the diaphragm.

Step 2- Sit or stand erect while singing. A hunched posture will not allow you to breathe from your diaphragm. Hunched postures cause restriction of air movement damaging the delivery of your song.

Step 3 – Proper Posture. Your feet while standing should be shoulder width apart, your back straight and your chin parallel to the floor. Tilting your head back while singing will strain your vocal chords and hinder free flow of air.

Step 4 – Breathing Exercises. Even as you practice singing every day, you must practice breathing for at least ten minutes. Sit on a rug on the floor with legs folded, your hands resting lightly on your knees. Inhale slowly till you feel the air reaching your stomach expanding it . Hold the breath as you count ten in your mind. Then exhale as slowly as you inhaled. This exercise is a must for any aspiring singer.

Step 5 – Check breathing while singing. Keep your palm on your solar plexus when you start singing simple scales. If you are breathing properly then you will feel you palm being propelled outward with your stomach movement. Only this can help you get control over your voice and improve your singing technique.

Step 6 -  Sing with an open mouth. Just as we realize the need to take deep breath, we should also allow air to flow out freely while singing. So it is important to sing with you mouth open and your throat muscles relaxed. This helps in proper diction, voice throwing and volume control.

How Diaphragm Works While You Sing

Diaphragm Laid Bare

The diaphragm happens to be a group of muscles which is joined to the sides of the lower ribs. It is further attached to the top lumbar part of the back as well as the sternum. The main function of the diaphragm is to assist in the process of inhalation. It descends as you inhale thereby displacing stomach upper intestines and viscera. The diaphragm has no direct role in the process of exhalation however it has certain control over the speed of breath exhalation. The act of breathing out is under the control of the whole abdominal system that is found between the naval and the pelvis. The moment you breathe out fast, the diaphragm becomes generally inactive although when the exhalation is slow the diaphragm will resist the normal breathing action for the abdomen.

Attempting to exhale extremely slowly will allow you to notice you are in control of the breathing out but only for one or two seconds. Thereafter, breathing goes on without any effort. The diaphragm ensures sufficient exhalation which is quite amazing isn’t it? The moment you exhale fast, you are the one in control of the process. By attempting both these methods, you will notice the difference when learning how to sing from your diaphragm.

Exhalation in relation to Singing

During the process of singing, it is as if you are slowly exhaling long breaths during the whole song. You will tend to attempt to put them under control, however for those long notes it is the diaphragm that needs to take control. This is a natural occurrence. Everyone has a considerably firm diaphragm despite the height or size that they might be. What the diaphragm requires is control and not strengthening. You need to be aware of how it functions prior to attempting to control it.

The Diaphragm and the Vocal Cords

The vocal chords that you have need not be a barrier to excessive pressure as a result of breathing. Rather, they are required to have sufficient pressure which will assist in the maintenance of sound vibrations. In case there is an excessive pressure fall within vocal cords, they tend to bunch up tightly and this means that they cannot perform normally

When singing, the epigastric region need not be pulled in rather it needs to be in the same state as when it is filled with air after inhalation. This is just before a tone begins. This may sound contrary to what may be considered as right however if you are keen you will find that if you inhale deeply and breathe out partially or fully prior to singing a note, you notice that you easily become breathless. The reason for this is that the diaphragm has already moved downwards. Therefore, breathe in deeply and ensure that you do so correctly and this is by extending the abdomen a little bit and not extending the chest. Now start singing and let the diaphragm begin its work. After learning how to sing from your diaphragm you will find that singing long phrases or holding notes for extended periods becomes much easier by reducing breathing problems.

Effective Exercises on How to Sing From Diaphragm

If you want to improve your range in singing, you should know how to sing from your diaphragm. Although you may be gifted with a beautiful voice, but if you have no ability to sing a high note longer, then, you should focus more in learning your singing lessons so that you can make your voice stronger.

In order for you to understand fully well how to sing from your diaphragm, here are some singing exercises:

• Put your index finger an inch away from your lips and start exhaling. While you’re breathing out, try to observe how your diaphragm moves. While you’re singing, there’s no need to push too hard in taking out the air from your vocal cords.

• Another method is standing in front of the mirror, and put your both arms in parallel position. See to it that your fingertips are touching each other. While you’re inhaling, stand still and don’t move your shoulders or upper chest.

The process on how to sing from your diaphragm also involves breathing some air to fill your stomach. Here, you should do it gently without forcing the air in it. When you exhale, you should make your stomach contract. Make it a gradual or natural process instead of forcing the air out.

The purpose in doing this is to condition your diaphragm in controlling the airflow. You can be sure that by doing this controlled process of breathing, you’ll be able to hone your skills in singing. The moment you fill your stomach with air instead of filling your chest, this process will make the air last longer. This way, you can sing high notes easily.

• If you already know how to sing from your diaphragm, you should perform these exercises everyday. When you become used in controlling your breathing in singing a song, you’ll be pleased to observe that audience will appreciate every note that you sing.

Additional Suggested Video Tutorials on Singing From Your Diaphragm:

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