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What is "support" in singing? Should I use it?

You hear it over and over again from countless instructors in the vocal field that you need to support your voice.  They usually tell you this support comes from the diaphragm.  What do they mean and how does it help or not help you?

In most non-SLS singing lessons teachers over-emphasize the breath and breathing exercises.  They teach you to hold an upward pressure from the diaphragm to sing better.  This air pressure against the larynx (voice box) is referred to as "support."  Support can sometimes help your voice and sometimes hurt your voice.

Here's why:

Extra pressure against heavily over-compressed cords is damaging to the vocal cords.  The extra airpressure increases strain and grinding of the vocalis muscle, irritating the gentle tissues and can lead to the development of nodules.  Extra air pressure against under-compressed cords (an airy singing voice) is damaging to the vocal cords.  In under-compressed cords the closing of the cords is weak leading to drying, and more friction when they vibrate which can also lead to nodules.

Tha majority of students, 85%+, come in, no matter how experienced they are, with singing falling into the category of heavily over-compressed or under-compressed cords.  Adding more air pressure to these students makes it harder for the vocal muscles to adjust properly to pitches to create healthy tones.

For the remaining +/- 10% who happen to have reasonable but not completely balanced compression, or solid and balanced compression, support won't hurt and may be beneficial by giving them a little more lean into their voice for a stronger voice.  However it is better, even for this minority to get even more balanced with their vocal compression before adding diaphragmatic pressure.

We can teach people to have balanced cord compression (optimal air to muscle ratio) by getting the right amount of sub-glottal pressure and back-pressure from the mouth on the cords combined with proper cord closure (adduction).  As a finishing touch, when it is time to polish things we introduce support but never before achieving balanced compression throughout the singer's whole range.  It would be putting the cart before the horse!

Be careful of teachers who emphasize support over a balanced singing range