The Diaphragm: How Should We Talk About It With Singers? ⏱ 2 Mins

October 28, 2024

Is there a more divisive phrase in the singing world than ‘sing from your diaphragm’?

Most singers will have heard the saying at some point during their careers, but many vocal coaches argue that it’s neither technically correct nor useful.

To dig a little deeper into the debate, BAST Training spoke to Lucinda Allen, an MDH Breathing coordination coach.

But first, a quick refresher.

The diaphragm is a muscle that is shaped like a dome and sits below the lungs. And, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic: “When you breathe in, your diaphragm contracts (tightens) and flattens, moving down towards your abdomen. This movement creates a vacuum in your chest, allowing your chest to expand (get bigger) and pull in air. When you breathe out, your diaphragm relaxes and curves back up as your lungs push the air out.”

We use the diaphragm when we breathe, sneeze and cough (and for a few other functions we probably don’t need to mention here).

What critics of the phrase say

From a technical perspective, we can’t move the diaphragm in isolation. Even if a singer knows where it is (many don’t), we’re asking them to do something that’s not possible.

As a result, when a singer is asked to ‘sing from the diaphragm’, they usually flounder or tense their abs because they don’t really know what’s expected of them.

What defenders of the phrase say

Lots of singing terminology isn’t scientifically precise (take ‘head voice’ for example). They argue that the phrase can be used to encourage singers to refocus their breathing, especially if they have a tendency to tighten their shoulders and necks.

How to have a Constructive Discussion

On the Singing Teachers Talk podcast, breathing coordination coach Lucinda Allen had this to say on the ‘d-word’.

“Saying ‘just work on the diaphragm’ is hopeless because the diaphragm is so connected to other things,” she says. “The key is to make sure it is integrated and coordinated.

“Ideally, we want a glide between the diaphragm and the ribs. We’re trying to encourage this gliding relationship. That’s why what we’re doing with the ribs is so important. If the ribs are a bit rotated or held or flared at the front, they can inhibit the gliding function of the diaphragm going up and back down again.

“The best thing someone can do to help the diaphragm is to build a better relationship with their ribs and all the other functions outside of that.

“Make better friends with your ribs and make a bigger effort to listen to what your body wants. If you feel like you’re doing loads of release at the front of your body, ask if there are other places you might have been slightly neglecting in your body. Ask, ‘where can I create some flexibility so I can get the diaphragm to glide as smoothly as it can?’.”