If you've been clenching your abs as hard as possible trying to 'support' your voice into the higher range - you've probably been having a hell of a time actually singing those high notes without SHOUTING them, right? Breath support for rock singing is more of a reflex than you probably realise.

That's because 'support' doesn't really mean 'support' like you're carrying a bag of bricks, and means something more akin to 'relying' - think about it, shouldn't great singers "rely" on their breathing rather than singing with brute force?

When we support the voice by engaging the internal core (your abs are actually your 'vanity core'), the diaphragm descends to create a vacuum of air held in the lung cavity, but at the same time, also pressurises this air along with allowing for a more controlled and incremental return to resting phase of the diaphragm itself.

This means that you've got more pressure in your air, but a more consistent release of less air that can be controlled and managed as needed when we shift gears and move into higher registers as needed.

The first step to proper support, especially for rock singing, is to first FIND your internal core.

The best way to do this is actually lean forward slightly either putting your weight against a wall on your hands, or even just having your hands on your knees in a seated position - as you breathe in, you'll feel the sensation of needing to "stand up straight".

Congratulations, you just found your core!

These muscles that wrap from the lower back into the pelvis and from the ribs outward to the spine are intrinsic to singing well - but there's more to singing than just 'flex this, flex that'.

Reflex.

Singing is a reflex.

Repeat that for me five times: "Singing is a reflex".

If your vowel is wide, your vocal folds automatically contract to add more weight so you have lower frequencies to resonate in the wider space.

If your tongue is forward and you focus more in the mouth, you'll automatically get a brighter formant in the mouth for AY/EE/OE vowels.

I'm serious, singing is more of a reflex than you probably realise!

And support is no different.

The key to supporting your voice beyond just finding your true core is the reflex created by projection.

Watch this video to learn how to project your voice for a more supported ROCK tone when you sing: