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If your objective is to have a centered voice and achieve effortless performance while singing, learning to have a relaxed or better known among singers as a “released” diaphragm is the way to accomplish this. It is not uncommon for first-time singers who seem to have large lung capacity and relaxed diaphragms to freeze up at the last moment. They should not be worried as there is nothing wrong with the diaphragm, but it may not function effectively for various reasons, which we will discuss here.

Getting through an entire song can be a challenge for any singer, especially if they are using incorrect breathing techniques, which can be distressing for those unaware of it. Even with superior breathing technique, singers may find that the demands of the song leave their diaphragm feeling constricted and uncomfortable. Vocal training students who have been singing and studying for years, and have been able to open up their voices, still struggle to access that final 15% of their performance, and they have no idea how to tap into it.

Can anyone truly think of the logical reason why a singer can’t obtain and master this “so-called” invisible energy? My previous training techniques made it harder for me in the past because I used to explain details to my students in a technical manner rather than focusing on helping them access the core emotions within their own bodies. Singing, at its core, relies on thoughts and the freedom to express them, finding vulnerability with minimal hindrances mentally or physically, which we all know is not an easy task.

Being able to emote with the diaphragm is the ultimate goal for a singer. In order to truly connect with passion, we must consciously work on exercising the diaphragm until accessing it becomes natural. Anyone trained in singing knows that this is a slow process, akin to unwrapping the layers of an onion. I can talk about this endlessly, but until a singer experiences these feelings on their own, they will never truly understand. Through consistent practice, one can learn to recognize that feeling and naturally reach that state, as it becomes part of their emotional memory. This is why training singing can be extremely challenging because one must teach students to develop not just their bodies, but also their minds, spirits, and hearts in order to sing perfectly. Our entire purpose as professional singing coaches is to make you a complete package as a singer, if you can.

Learning to connect with one’s diaphragm and experiencing it being released when singing is the most amazing thing to have. As your notes become purer, you will notice a versatility in your voice and more power behind the sound, allowing you to hear the emotion in every song you sing. When it feels good and it seems like nobody can tear themselves away from your singing, you just know you are delivering a great performance. Having this level of control over your sound as a singer contributes to a freer sound overall.

Learning to connect with and release the diaphragm is a challenging task, and it is not uncommon for some singers to take years to achieve this. A battle is constantly happening in the mind as old issues and grievances, if you have any, may haunt you and even hinder your performance. I recently held a workshop with incredible students where a very beautiful woman in the group, after being shown how to release her diaphragm, exclaimed, “Oh, that feels so amazing!” She went on to say, “I walk around all day long, completely tense, and I never knew how to let go of that tension until you showed me this singing exercise today!” It is cases like this that remind me of the impact that proper breathing and the diaphragm have on helping singers achieve their desired results and how much it can improve the quality of their lives as well.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME

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