Singing with lower tummy muscle support

In our normal day-to-day we all breathe automatically. And its usually a very shallow 'high in the chest' breathe. When we sing we need to power up the support. Here's a few things to try next time you are looking for more vocal support!

Lower tummy muscle tension gives incredible support to your voice, particularly when you need more power for a big note or more support for a long note! But you need to consciously 'turn it on'. The only way we really turn it on automatically is if you were outside shouting to someone across the oval - to get that power you can only make a big sound that carries by supporting it from your lower tummy muscles.

A few simple tips to try turning on your lower tummy muscles

SINGING WITH POWER

Take a deep tummy breathe on the 4th beat before you come into sing

1,2,3,breathe

Try the opposite to see the difference!

Try singing a few words or notes 4 different ways:

a) Breathe out and then try and sing...it sounds weak and unsupported.

b) Breathe in with a top half shallow breathe...sounds ok, but you are probably lifting your shoulders and its still not supported.

c) Breathe in lower deep breathe - relax your tummy and breathe down into your tummy, to really fill your lower lungs...sounds much fuller voice.

Relax your tummy and let it fall to the floor as you gentle breathe in - nose or mouth - whatever it comfortable. Think about pushing your tummy out to the back of your guitar before you start singing.

d) Breathe in lower deep breathe + then tense your lower tummy muscles just before you sing and hold it...its sounds maximum full voice, especially as you sing higher or lower!!! Its not only a louder sound, but a richer and deeper sound.

Another way to feel yourself engaging your lower tummy muscles is:

Do a a quick “Ts” sound - engage muscles in your lower stomach

This sort of lower tummy tension is the ultimate for singers! Its a conscious action to turn on when you need it. An opera singer would be doing it all the time, a rock / pop singer a lot. It you are singing a softer, more chilled out song, then sure you don't need to be doing it all the time.

This is the sort of the technique that you will rely on when you are going for a big note or when your voice is feeling a bit tired and it needs a bigger sound.