General Tip - Using the right muscles to sing

Some people give the advice like repeating a mantra, "Sing from your diaphragm, sing from your diaphragm..." But many people don't actually know how to engage their diaphragm correctly while singing, especially since most of the work the diaphragm does is involuntary. I know I had trouble with this as a young singer, and I know of many others that had recurring problems engaging the right muscles when singing. Well, here's a little tip to familiarize yourself with your muscles while practicing:

Find yourself a chair, preferably one with little or no padding on the seat, and no wheels. Sit on the very front edge of the chair. Now, lift your feet up off the ground. Feel the muscles tightening in your abdominal area? Those muscles you use to keep your balance on the chair are the exact same muscles you should use when singing. Now, while keeping your balance, sing. Sounds pretty good, huh?

So the challenge is to familiarize yourself with the sensation of balancing yourself on the edge of the chair, and then to recreate that same sensation when singing on stage or otherwise standing.

Good day, and good song!
Nick

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