Push from your stomach question...

Hi,

I'm working on my support right now and I found out that if I push really really hard from my stomach (not throat pushing!! .. abdominal push) I can get some notes I usually couldn't. That's something new for me, I was never used to push really hard from abdominal area, but basically I just make my abs really really hard when I do that, like gym hard, in that second that I need to hit that note, and I push really hard from my stomach.

So did I just found how to add more support for louder and heavier notes. Do you have to push really hard from your abdomen to hit loud and high notes with powerful volume. So basically the more you have to sing louder and higher at the same time, your abs must go stronger and stronger and you have to push from your abs (someone will call it diaphragm, but I'm not because diaphragm is only for inhaling).

Am I in the right direction?

Tnx

I won't say that you're wrong, but any pushing should be done rarely--once in a while to reach that one special high note, perhaps, but not regularly. The tension in the abs as you describe it ("gym hard"), on the other hand, is an essential part of breath support.

I suspect that as you develop as a singer you will find that you need to push less and less, but I don't think that the occasional push is dangerous as long as you use it sparingly.

Really? I've heard many vocal coaches emphasize how relaxed your abs should be... *confused*

I do that too for higher notes when singing live with a band. Interested to see if there's a better way.

yes, yes, it's called breath support

basically, pull in at the little bottom ab muscle right on top of your groin, and push out on the ab muscles above that muscle

Yes, you want to keep your ribcage expanded, and a little tension in the lower abs (as described by Duke) is the best way to maintain the expansion.

Not that I can do it myself really, but I would think that as opposed to actually PUSHING, I’d be more inclined to tense and HOLD the stomach muscles, but only when really needed…for very strong and belty notes. It’s more about giving support down below I think, rather than pushing anything out, which could cause problems…maybe? Lol. No idea really.

For adding power and maybe a little bit of distortion to your vox, yeah push from your lower abdomen. As long as you're not grunting while doing it, it's fine...I would use it in moderation though and certainly not on every note.

Haha, grunting! I remember my days of going to the gym and seeing all these muscle men grunting loudly as they hoisted their incredibly heavy barbells into the air.

Maybe you are running out of air. I don't think there is a need to push if lungs are full of air. What if you inhale in between words someplace?

I fear you're getting it wrong somehow, but I don't know how to fix it for you.

This tension in stomach business is rather vague at best, isn't it?.

Tensing abs makes my voice wobble like crazy from the muscle vibrations, and that can't be an intended effect right.