Properly Relaxing

Singing is supposed to be very relaxed, but for some reason many people tense up when they are preparing to sing. That is just the opposite of what you should do. The only thing that should remain strong and stiff is your diaphragm. Before you sing, take a deep breath, to calm yourself, and take a good singing posture--feet apart, shoulders straight (but not tight!), hands by your side, eyes looking straight ahead (or at whatever you are singing to). Some people think this is all you need to do, but that is quite wrong. You have to remain relaxed while you sing, as well. A major factor in doing this, is using the right muscles. Do not use your jaw, or the muscle right below your jaw when you sing. Your jaw should be open, and the only time you should move it is when you have to shape the words you are singing. Do not try to stick your jaw out to help you sing; it doesn't sound good, and it's incorrect. Also, do not use the muscle behind your jaw to help you get volume. There are other ways to get volume, and that way will not work well. Though you may be used to it, it is harder to do, and you can feel your muscle being used. When you sing, you should not feel any muscles in your throat being used. If you can feel anything like that, you are singing incorrectly, and you need to try singing differently. It will be difficult to not use your jaw and that muscle at first, but the more you practice, I promise, the easier it gets! something that helps a lot is pushing your chin straight back. When you sing, you will sound different, but you are supposed to.