Most singers have heard the age-old rule “Sing from the diaphragm!” Do you know that it really does not make any sense and that it is physically impossible? Current voice science and pedagogy has debunked this myth and I would like to clarify it simply here.
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates your chest cavity from your abdominals. When we inhale, it automatically descends. Yes, automatically! The diaphragm is an INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE! True, the lower your breath is (as opposed to a high and shallow breath), the more the abdominals expand, allowing the diaphragm to descend a bit lower. However, we sing on the exhalation and since the diaphragm is a muscle of inspiration, the moment you are create sound, the diaphragm is largely passive. It is physically impossible for the diaphragm to be involved in creating or “supporting” sound. When we sing, the goal is to release the air at a slow, steady pace. It is the coordinated action of the entire torso (abdominals and midsection) and body that gives the feeling of “support”, and THAT you CAN control. Your sound is created by the vibration of your vocal folds, fueled by your breath stream, not from the diaphragm.
Most often, people mean well when giving the advice to “sing from your diaphragm”, but it is important to be clear about what muscles and coordinations are actually involved in singing. Now you know!!