HOW TO SING WITH SUPPORT - SING WITH THE DIAPHRAGM - Phil Moufarrege @ GROW-THE-VOICE.com

[@Mattomar]

I’ve been trying to understand this for almost a year now and I got it , my singing improved instantly my throat doesn’t hurt anymore and I’m not out of breath after every two sentences thank you :)

[@philmoufarrege]

that's excellent to hear

[@jelenaristic6669]

I spent 5 months with a singing coach to only feel MORE AND MORE strain and then after watching this video and starting your singing program where I keep my support / core engaged ALL THE TIME I have ZERO and I mean absolutely ZERO strain in my voice anymore. I feel no pain at all in my throat anymore because I am not straining my vocal chords. When I asked my old vocal coach what he thought could be causing me more strain AS I apparently got better at my scales, he answered with a question..." Have you been stressed lately?" I know extra stress can cause muscles to tighten up in your body, but without going into too much detail, I was in MORE STRESS when I started singing lessons and less by that fifth month, so I knew it was someone using the 'one sized fits all' answer of stress because they really had no idea what was going on. Also, my voice had almost no power or resonance. It was all falsetto...or almost all. So, looking for 'power in your voice' or some such combination of words, I found your videos and program and I haven't looked back since. I am not a great, or even particularly good singer and I certainly don't do this professionally, but I can deeply relate to the core work and the ways you explain how to PHYSICALLY make the sound in such detail because I used to be a dancer, so detailed physical explanations help me a lot more than vague metaphors or one size fit all answers such as 'we can hold stress in our voices.'' Yeah...sure, but as my vocal coach I expect you to tell me how to get it OUT of my voice and out of my way so I can sing. You're the only person who has CLEARLY and SPECIFICALLY explained EXACTLY how to do that. This video is a great example of your specific style and explanations. They just get better and better throughout the course.

[@philmoufarrege]

Fantastic Jelena great to hear you're doing so well with THE PATH TO VOCAL MASTERY!

[@sairoraoni]

It is so interesting that every video about this on KZbin has a comment saying essentially this same thing. Everyone seems to have a different thing that triggers the correct association to support. I keep hoping the next on will be the one that makes it click for me, but no luck so far. I'll keep looking.

[@ZacharydeLima]

@@sairoraoni same man

[@Timliu92]

From what I see in your videos, I notice that you are reconciling the traditional breath support concept and the SLS method taught by Seth Riggs, which enables your students to sing both heavily and lightly at the same time. Good video Phil!

[@philmoufarrege]

Thanks Tim. There's nothing new under the sun, even SLS comes from the italian school, singing technique has been worked out hundreds of years ago and support is in SLS - it's just not stressed by many of the teachers, which can be a mistake if the student NEEDS IT RIGHT AWAY. SLS believes that once you get the vocal cords and the larynx to work right then support will kick in naturally. This is true, but in many cases to get the larynx and vocal folds to work right learning support is crucial. the starting place of a singers journey will be different. a good teacher focuses on LISTENING to what you are doing so they can know what is preventing your sound from working the way it should. For example, the first exercise that is usually used is the lip roll. I can't tell you how many people can't do that exercise properly and just do it in falsetto (wrong) simply because they need to learn how to support properly. So it's important to teach on a case-by-case basis instead of forcing "how it should be" on to people. There is a common misconception (even amongst SLS teachers) that SLS is only about making soft unsupported sounds. This is wrong. The body works a specific certain way, so all methods should really be trying to achieve the same things - support, good resonance, good cord closure, larynx tilt and taking one voice from bottom all the way up. What differs is HOW these things are communicated and in what order these things are learned by the singer depending on their unique challenges. the problem is conveying and teaching to someone how to get their body to work, that's where different "methods" come in. The problem comes when a singer already has 90% of the game and only needs that "one thing" to make everything work, for them it's a magic bullet that they then push on to everyone else "it's all about XYZ!!!" This doesn't work when they try it on a singer that doesn't have all the previous mechanisms built up already. Some people can go from A to B because they are ready for it and they understand how to interpret the instructions, others can't. They try and it doesn't work, so they need to go from A to X to Y to Z and THEN they can go to B. A good teacher doesn't force a "method" on a singer, a good teacher simply looks and listens and then understands where the singer is at and what is standing in their way to vocal freedom and then knows how to teach in a way that makes sense to that singer and helps them overcomes their obstacles. For some people, I don't mention support at all, for others, I drill it in vigorously. Some people already have it, others don't.

[@heejinsnose2027]

Omg, this is quite helpful and easy to understand. I’m a baritone and I try to learn how to support my notes.

[@Amy-xh5jo]

Clearest explanation I have EVER watched, incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for this video :)

[@philmoufarrege]

you are very welcome

[@brandonquick4659]

I've spent so long trying to find a clear, practical, usable demonstration of how to do this. I cannot believe it was this simple. Thank You SO MUCH, I'll be practicing this everyday, hopefully with time I can get good at it.

[@philmoufarrege]

glad it helped. check out my website for more information PHILMOUFARREGE.COM

[@AS-nn4bv]

3:30 what support looks like in a song. as you hit higher notes make your belly tighter

[@MAJALIJU]

Thank you, this video has been a game changer!!

[@TeddyLeitner]

Instant tonal fix, thank you so much. Subscribed

[@philmoufarrege]

great to hear, thank you!

[@DuderdX]

Between humming/awwing mouth warm up video to get a "deeper" or more resonant voice and this video for showing that you actually have to tighten your ab muscles I feel like I'm already better lol. Seriously seems like one of the most important parts to singing/voice over work is the ab clenching but you're the ONLY one to include it and I thank you!

[@philmoufarrege]

Glad you found it helpful. Check out my website I think you'll find more useful stuff like this. PHILMOUFARREGE.COM

[@samtony611]

You quite right that they don't teach about support on KZbin. I was thinking that just b4 you said it. That was a clear explanation on your part buddy. Good job!

[@philmoufarrege]

thank you sir

[@ArtsyMusic]

great video, so many teachers do not teach support correctly, i struggled for 12 months with it after being told about the belly breath, but that is only half of the equation, the actual support element which is demonstrated well here is rarely shown or explained. You absolutely need to apply pressure from the back and side muscles otherwise your tone is thin and puny when you get into your mix and head range. Also don't confuse tension with this pressure that you need as when done incorrectly can cause throat tension, the breath still needs to be able to exhale freely. this will lead to freedom of the voice when practiced regularly. Another way to feel the same sensation is to take a deep full breath and exhale using SSS or ZZZ or a combination of both at the same time, you should feel the stomach coming in as you do this and apply the right amount of "support" to keep the SSS or ZZZ sustained. Do it until all breath is expelled and repeat.

[@carinaalvarado5940]

I think I finally found a video that makes sense to me with breathing/breath support and singing. I been combing over so many you tube videos and I couldn’t quite understand breath support. My voice teacher is amazing but I still struggled finding something that makes sense! I’m going to practice this some more and see how I improve!

[@philmoufarrege]

Wonderful!

[@isaachutto7177]

I used to have a hard time with support, but once I finally got it my confidence shot up.

[@philmoufarrege]

great to hear!

[@trollingisasport]

I like your easy to understand approach.

[@philmoufarrege]

Cheers dude, glad you enjoyed it

[@shantiyourmind]

the best video on support I have seen so far - It's ashamed, that I have just bumped in your channel now and not long long before.... ;)

[@pune37tAnG]

This is a good explanation, but there is something missing. I'm a health and fitness professional and there is more than one way to activate/tighten the core. You mentioned a weight lifter getting ready to pick up a heavy weight (i.e. deadlifting). For the deadlift, it's essential to use abdominal bracing to activate the core in order to protect the lower back. In this case, you would want to inhale and expand at the midsection. Then, you would bear down/push out almost like you would when going to the restroom. When doing superficial abdominal exercise, crunches, you would use the abdominal hollowing/draw-in maneuver. This method involves inhaling and expanding at the midsection. Then, you would suck in and up almost like you were trying to put on a tight pair of jeans. My question would be, which version of abdominal activation is right for singing? Is it abdominal bracing or the draw-in maneuver?

[@ricomajestic]

Did you ever find the answer to your question? My understanding is that you should bear down/push out almost like you would when going to the restroom. You don't want to use your stomach muscles

[@davidjohansson7646]

It's amazing no one else tell to relax while breathing. I was clamping my spine with my abs all the time XD

[@ANTONYTHEDRAWINGMAN]

hi again phil. I've seen a lot of videos about how support from the diaphragm is a myth and that your natural breath from your lungs is sufficient for singing but am i right in my assumption that if you try using your natural lung capacity for the high notes this will cause you to run out of air and make you start to shout out the notes and could start causing damage to your vocal folds. i only follow your instructions now because your clear and precise in the way you teach.

[@philmoufarrege]

All the people saying it's a myth are wasting their time arguing over semantics. they don't like the word "diaphragm" and say things like "you breathe in your lungs not the diaphragm!!" well duh, but who cares, fact is, people are searching for that term so I reach people where they are at it's easier that way. I never get myself into arguments over words I instead just see if someone is doing things properly or not by hearing what they do I don't care what they call it. I can hear if someone is doing things right or not. support has nothing to do with how much air you have, most people confuse support with just breathing. they'll say things like "support is all about breathing into the belly" well that's just breathing it's not support. Support is what you do after you inhale, it has to do with how you PRESSURIZE that air and how you MANAGE that pressure with the muscles in the body and at the level of the vocal folds.

[@lukas-force8438]

This is the best video that i have watched about singing 👍🏻👍🏻

[@hardlawn2278]

wow thank you very much.....thank you thank you thabk you......😊 thank for the tutorial.......👍

[@ZacharydeLima]

And this "tightness" gradually comes in as you sing right Phil? Thanks!

[@wowawewah]

Loose and relaxed belly>inhale>support by firming up>finish phrase>relax belly>inhale>firm belly? Or do we relax and inhale at the same time? Do we need to breathe in just before the phrase or can we breathe in like 2 seconds before then firm up before the phrase? Just a bit confused lol.

[@ricomajestic]

Good question. I'm a beginner. Did you ever find the answer to your question? If so what is the answer.

[@wowawewah]

@@ricomajestic I think I was overthinking it

[@christophermball]

Love the video and instruction on how the body should react during moments of singing. As part of the diaphragm inhalation process, before tightening your core during moments of exhalation, do you also want to flex / widen your lower rib cage (like a body builder does during posing) as you take in air?

[@philmoufarrege]

yeah! I usually have a very slight "pulled in" lower abdomen before I inhale, and then when I inhale that very slight tension in the lower abdomen causes the ribcage to then expand instead of getting the pregnant belly look. Then from there the lower belly and obliques will engage to support the voice similar to picking up an object just in various degrees of intensity based on the singing. I will say that the way I train this is not by manually doing this stuff but it happens as a byproduct of the larynx and vocal cords functioning properly. Meaning, when the vocal cords compress properly the larynx will stabilize and then that will cause the belly to RESPOND by supporting. That's usually how I teach it as it's more organic that way.

[@theone4808]

Man this makes sense. Thanks i been struggling to understand this then came across your video which is probably the 5th one which was the clearest of them all.

[@philmoufarrege]

Glad things are clicking.

Awesome video! Thanks, Phil.

[@philmoufarrege]

Glad it helped!

[@worldhello3075]

i think i ran into a problem same as Xavier (in the clip), because all my top notes in the scale was airy (like pushing).

[@hulunesia2343]

World Hello you have to prject it only from your diapghram

[@deborahbarry8458]

Support - I had an “aha!” moment during video you made with Marnell Sample - the pre-vomiting feeling. Now I imitate a dog vomiting and instantly connect with those deep muscles!

[@cyomara89]

Hi there, would you (or Phil!) mind pointing me towards the vid you're talking about?? There seem to be multiple vids of the both of them. Many thanks.

[@armchemistro3687]

Many thanks mannnn... This is the most perfect explanation that i could find on KZbin.. now i can hit some high note and my singing voice is much more stable now..

[@philmoufarrege]

good on you!

[@wowawewah]

When I inhale, it's already firmed up. Also do we firm it so it just sticks out hard, or do you have to bring it in a bit?

[@darkopetkoski2618]

This is so beautiful demonstration ... a first vocal coach to explain in a most useful way.. so GREAT !!!

[@philmoufarrege]

glad it helped you

[@natedogz7830]

What if you want to do country singing can you make a breathing vid?

[@philmoufarrege]

breathing technique is exactly the same regardless of genre.

[@cieloemare586]

Hi Phil, thanks for the video! I wonder if this has been my problem all along. Being told to tighten my abs when singing, I think I contract them and pull them in rather than let them release out. And my voice is really throaty

[@philmoufarrege]

you're probably locking the solar plexus tightly which can definitely cause the throat to constrict.

[@yueqingtang2556]

Hi Phil, Thank you for your great video, it is really helped. my question is how can I unlock solar plexus and do like deadlifts support at the same time? Thanks again!!

[@athusdelima2439]

Hey Phil, question. The firming of the lower abdomen. Are you doing that consciously before singing the sound? Do you consciously firm it up before singing?

[@hijay8501]

Its a natural process actually. Try going outside and yelling something like "HEY" and as ur yelling have ur hands on ur abs/belly and u will see that ur body firms itself up naturally. We just need to teach our body to do the same while singing.

[@ajayratna1330]

that means holding the breath while singing the phrase? it feel tighit on the stomach area while im singing am i doing right

[@juanhoffmann4096]

I’am a bass so can I belt those notes?

[@davidjohansson7646]

Is it okay to sit and sing when you train the diaphragmatic support? I sing by the piano so I prefer to sit down

[@philmoufarrege]

absolutely. being able to sing while sitting or standing is an absolute must.

[@watergraffiti]

Thank you so much for this video. You sound great, so it is easy to take advice from you! Do you think having a developed ear and knowing what notes "should" sound like when on pitch....makes a big difference to a singer? Or do you think just singing with support is enough for a singer to hit the notes and will automatically sound good? So....basically my question is - does having good voice support mean you will automatically have good pitching? or is pitching something a person has to develop and use different drills to be able to "hear" the notes (ie...whether there are slightly sharp or flat) when singing?

[@philmoufarrege]

Yes there is a lot that goes into this, it isn't just "one thing". This is not something that you will learn from free youtube tips.

[@GamerWolfKnight]

Do you think that Getting abs will improve Singing as you mentioned about giving support to diaphragm? P.S.- your the best :3 from South Korea!!!

[@philmoufarrege]

Nah because support doesn't really come from the rectus abdominis (the six pack abs). What will help you FIND the muscles used in support is things like deadlifts with good technique. Once you find the sensation you don't need to "strengthen it" you just find it and use it for singing and then coordinate it with the exhale and the vocal cords.

[@edwardwheeler197]

Pilates truly connects to the deeper muscles that are used in singing

[@vietdinhvan1560]

I Phil, i've been improving my voice a lot thanks to your vids. i want to ask you that even though i'm a baritenor and i can go up to d5, but when i sing the line "cause everynight im talking to the moon" from talking to the moon - bruno mars, i cant sustain through that and it sounds distorted, do you have any advice?

[@philmoufarrege]

lots

[@bogtosfantasy1503]

Hey phil I wanna ask something about support. I have followed this tips, but I have a problem. When I sing in very high notes, like above G4, and try sustain it, my stomach trembles, and then I lose my air. How to solve this kind of problem? I will appreciate your answer. Thanks. FYI, I'm a baritone, and notes above G4 are not in my tessitura.

[@philmoufarrege]

you'll need to get lessons.

[@jpierce8148]

Wait, you're saying to keep the stomach firm? I've seen from other teachers to pull in the stomach while singing - one has said it's imperative to pull it IN while singing. I'm confused :(

[@jenthomas775]

When you exhale via singing your stomach moves in even when you engage support

[@phangmusic]

I was always told to push IN and contract lower abdomen to support. but yours looks like you're pushing OUT your stomach when supporting. which one is correct?

[@DenisMorissetteJFK]

Yes, that is what it is. You put your fingers with a bit of pressure on the right spot on the belly, and pushes out. The sides of the body have to push out as well.

[@hulunesia2343]

Do you have to support all ranges i mean even when you sing something fast and low like "shape of you"

[@DenisMorissetteJFK]

He said the belly even tighter as you go higher.

[@maryanelmi728]

I realised when I was firming my stomach I hold the breath. Am I doing it right ?

[@philmoufarrege]

I would have to hear you to know what's going on.

[@sandk7969]

Sounds right

[@secretyui2038]

Me as long as I sing everytime I trye to remember the techniques: 4:14

[@seabear1959]

The best Diaphragmatic support Explanation video Ever. Even Ken Templin Diaphr. Video is not that good

[@chris9yearsago698]

I agree, there are some small things he doesn't clarify

[@panavcore]

I alway thought the opposite to relax the abs and not tightening them ...thank u vm

[@ComandaKronikk]

Bro what the fuck you are an actual god! I have a way deeper, richer voice now thanks to you! It only took like 2 seconds too, all those breathing videos just made me dizzy and frustrated

[@philmoufarrege]

great to hear it clicked, check out my website for more PHILMOUFARREGE.COM