If you’re having trouble feeling your diaphragm, lie flat on the floor and place a moderate weight on your stomach area, something like a large book or large pillow. Push that weight up using just the muscles in your stomach. Simultaneously draw air into your lungs to their full capacity. Now, sing. The muscles you’re using are your diaphragm. [2] X Research source The best way to think about singing from your diaphragm is to think of your diaphragm muscles as a platform or tabletop. They should be firm and stable and provide a foundation for your voice to rise through your air column.
It’s imperative that these muscles you’re using while breathing remain firm but not clenched when singing. Your chest, shoulder, and face muscles need to remain loose, not tight and clamped. Imagine you’re a chimney, and that your singing rises through the chimney from the diaphragm out of the lungs, and through the roof. Lay on your back and put 1 hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest. Slowly inhale and feel your belly rise. Once your chest starts to rise, begin exhaling. Imagine there’s a balloon in your torso behind your belly button. Try to fill the balloon as you inhale and squeeze air out of the balloon as you exhale.
Practice a “milkshake. " Pretend you’re sucking in through a straw. Remember to keep your shoulders and chest still. Hold your hand on your stomach to notice the movement. [4] X Research source Do “dog pants. " Pant as if you’re a tired dog, but again remember to keep your shoulders and chest still, and again hold your hand on your stomach. Practice a “bathroom push” exercise. As ridiculous as it sounds, it really does help when learning to sing using your diaphragm. Keeping your shoulders and chest still, let out a hard breath as if you’re struggling on the toilet. Hold your hand on your stomach. Inhale deeply, then exhale through a coffee straw. The resistance from the small straw is similar to air passing through your vocal folds while your singing.
Practice breathing exercises while you’re driving to work or while you’re watching television. There’s little excuse to avoid practicing something so easy. And you’ll start noticing results in your singing quickly with the right dedication to practice.
To see an example of how to lip trill while varying the pitch and volume, check out this video of Celine Dion: https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=1NFz2Ff6ZlM.
Take a long, deep breath and hold it for a few seconds then release it slowly. As you breathe in, raise your arms until your hands touch each other. Then put your arms down slowly while you breathe out. Do these 3-5 times. Start with the lowest note that you can sing and start getting higher until you reach the highest note you can sing, without straining. Don’t rush. The slower, the better. This exercise helps to control your breathing and warm up your vocal cords for singing.
Because your diaphragm is right below your rib cage, which encompasses your lungs, slouching pushes your ribs into your lungs and doesn’t allow for the downward expansion necessary to get a good breath. If you’re tense while maintaining the correct posture, let gravity help you out. Stand against a wall so the back of your head, shoulders, and bottom rest against the wall. Notice how free your diaphragm feels while you’re singing![5] X Research source
Pretend you’ve got a marshmallow the size of a baseball in your throat that’s stretching it open. Practice singing runs of notes while your throat is open. It might take a while to get the notes as strong as you’re used to, but it’s an important part of retraining your voice to stay strong.
Use your breathing exercises regularly to get used to the sensation of moving between your two voices. Try singing intervals to jump back and forth between the two different voices and strengthen your transitions.
