Singing: How do I use my diaphram?

[Surt]

I have no idea how to sing properly, how do I sing properly? I play guitar, and I sing quite loudly, I just want to know how to sing so that I don't wreck my voice, and any exercises I can do to increase my range. Thanks :D

(yes I realize that there is a similar thread to this, but it isn't the same)

[Penelopy]

Some people may think that you need a lot of support. You really don't. Having a lot of support basically means that you're continuously trying to control your air, in which you really can't. The thinking pattern of that way can be very damaging to your singing. You don't need a lot of support or air pressure, you just need the right amount of pressure. It's also remotely impossible to send the right amount of air, while thinking about it. Breathing exercises, are the best way. Start small, and then go a bit bigger. Basically taking baby steps.

I would suggest at least singing to a few of your favorite songs, and reading off the lyrics while you sing; so you know exactly where the commas are in the lyrics and you can match them.

<3

[blond_queen13]

Well for me it took a long time, like *thinks* *bangs head to Country song (Backwoods Justin Moore)* it took me a few months. It should take a lot of practice, try singing for like 10minutes everyday and it should work...

[UnderINK]

The answer you really need here is to know the difference between a 'head voice' and chest voice. When MOST people since, they sing through their head or nose. It's very HARD to explain without example but you can google some articles about head voice and nasal voice. With most professional singing, the bulk should be 'chest voice', harnessing head or nasal voice only for effect or tonality you can only achieve that way, but otherwise STAYING AWAY from it. It's a big no no in choirs to use head voice, for instance. However, some singers access a falsetto with head voice (like Claudio Sanchez from Coheed and Cambria) for effect. Country singers tend to use chest voice a lot. Look up some articles about it and follow the steps they provide for accessing your chest voice.

[DemiKara]

I can tell you what my voice teacher told me to do, so I learned to sing from my diaphram. It sounds silly, but it works.

Lay on the floor. Get comfortable, but lay on the floor. Practice singing while laying on the floor, and by practicing you'll learn how to do it pretty much instinctually. She told me, when I lay on the ground I automatically drew breath from my diaphram, rather than elsewhere.