Struggling with Vocal Technique, could my Diaphragm be to Blame?
FrankLapalice
Member Posts: 30
Hi guys, my singing teacher often reproaches me for pushing too hard with my voice. If I push so much, could it be due to improper use of the diaphragm?
Comments
I believe yes - you may not have enough diaphragmatic support and then you look for power from "bad sources", like engaging the jaw musculature, alternatively neck tension by pushing from that area, if you sound shouty. That's my own experience, for what it's worth.
I would say that almost a lot of time when singing, if you feel something is off or when people push to hard, the culprit is usually your diaphragmatic support, or its atleast the first place you go and try to fix first.
Support can be so of tricky to understand and execute. A great way to feel your support is by simply doing a “HUFF” with your voice and notices how your upper abs contract. Or if you try to cough, notices again how your upper abs contract. Thats when your support is. Now theres also keeping the ribcage expanded while at it. So now try to huff or cough and now try to keep your ribcage expanded at the same time by pushing in on your lowers abs. Itll feel like your trying to use the bathroom. That sensation if keeping your ribcage expanded and your upper abs is your diaphragmatic support and thats where the strength to sing powerful phrases comes from.
In terms of pushing to hard, you want to push from your belly than your throat.
Hope this kind of helps