Looking to create solid vocal foundations to perfect your voice? Well, diaphragm singing is a vital step in mastering the sweet notes of music.
Learning how to sing from your diaphragm is crucial for getting a controlled and commanding sound while keeping your vocal cords in sound health.
What is the diaphragm?
Simply put, the diaphragm is a large, rounded muscle that helps you breathe in and out. It sits just below the lungs and moves with your breathing so your lungs can fill with air. It’s important to recognise this movement when singing to engage the diaphragm to push air out steadily.
How to strengthen the diaphragm
There are many ways to strengthen your diaphragm. It comes down to building slow and controlled breathing habits.
We’ll discuss ways to engage your diaphragm and 7 methods of strengthening it so you can keep growing your vocals for that breathtaking crescendo.
We’re going to cover everything from breathing techniques and posture to renowned and effective exercises that help build a connection between your mind and diaphragm.
7 tips to sing from your diaphragm
1. Breathing
Controlling your breath will help you build power for the big notes and clarity for the softer sounds. When you take shorter, more shallow breaths, you limit your range. When you engage your diaphragm through your abdomen and fill your lungs with air, you’ll control the amount of flowing air that is key to generating vocal power.
There are many ways to activate your mind-breath dynamic. Hissing, lip trills and panting are quick exercises to try. Simply focus on your breathing – the movement, rhythm and connection.
Concentrate on your belly instead of your chest when engaging in diaphragm singing. Expand your abdomen rather than your chest, and feel your stomach rise as you take a deep breath through your nose. You should feel your stomach slowly fall as you gently release your breath. This is the ticket to engaging your diaphragm and controlling your breath.
Make sure you’re not just letting the air rush out. Instead, use your abdominal muscles to push the air upwards in a controlled and focused way. Imagine blowing air through a straw, which will help you control your breath.
2. Posture
Posture is essential for comfort. It reduces most tension and strain around the larynx and allows your diaphragm a full range of motion. The stomach should be the only part of your body that moves when breathing – many singers will raise their shoulders, which is a sign of shallow breathing, which causes other areas of the body to get involved.
Try standing or sitting correctly with your shoulders relaxed and your chest lifted. Straightening your body, keeping your shoulders relaxed and in line, and opening your chest will help engage the diaphragm and allow it to move unrestricted. Take a look at our posture checklist below.
Of course, most professionals move freely around the stage, dancing or simply using their arms to paint a picture. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of diaphragm singing, you, too, can pepper in some theatrics to elevate your performance.
3. Engage your core
Gently engaging your core muscles when you sing will give you more control over your airflow and improve your ability to sustain short, powerful bouts and long, precise phrases.
A helpful tip for activating the core muscles is to sing with your back against the wall. You can also try adjusting your position, going from sitting in an invisible chair to a kind of half-squat slide, all while delivering a series of breathing exercises.
4. Breathing through a straw.
Some of the most effective exercises to help you sing from your diaphragm are ones that focus on controlling your breathing. The restricted airflow that comes with breathing through a straw makes your diaphragm work harder and helps improve breath management for singing. Make sure you focus on drawing your breath down into your diaphragm and not your chest. Your exhale must be steady and controlled by your abdomen and diaphragm.
5. Hissing
This is a classic when learning diaphragm singing. It involves controlling your breathing and airflow into the diaphragm.
Breathe into your belly – not your chest – and on your release, let out a slow and steady ‘sss’. Consistency is key for this exercise, and it should feel even and balanced.
6. Ha-ha
Panting activates the diaphragm by prompting short, sharp breaths from the lower abdomen. It directly engages the muscles and helps build strength, awareness and control.
Take quick breaths with your spine aligned – almost like panting – and focus on the breath coming from deep within your belly. With each exhale, try making a ‘ha-ha’ sound.
Once you’ve mastered deep breathing, practice singing long, sustained notes, start with easy vowels like “ah” or “ee,” and focus on keeping the air flowing steadily, using your diaphragm to control the sound.
7. Getting rid of tension
Relaxing your body is so important when trying to engage your diaphragm. A build-up of tension instantly hinders the muscle’s ability to move with your breathing.
Easing stress goes hand in hand with posture and is often caused by hunching over or indirectly clogging the airways. Tension in the neck, shoulders, or throat can also contribute to stress, as it can prevent the necessary vocal muscles from being engaged.
While singing, check for any unnecessary tension in your body. Relax your neck and shoulders, focus on breathing, and support your sound from the diaphragm.
Learn how to use diaphragm voice from a pro. If you want to take your voice to the next level, sign up for Eric Vetro’s BBC Maestro course, Sing Like the Stars. In 31 lessons, he’ll show you all there is to know about finding your voice, singing lyrics and how to stand out at your next audition.
