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June 2003 Table of Contents
Your Voice For God
Your Voice To God
By Chris Beatty
All good singers have to go through the process of learning how to really own a song. How is that different from just singing a song? Just listen to the top performers in almost any genre or style and you will see that certain ones always stand out and always keep on communicating...and selling. It's not all about the best vocal instrument, either. Just like owning the best piano or guitar doesn't make you one of the best players, having the best natural or even trained voice does not make you the best, or even a good singer. It is only when inspiration and preparation are combined that you maximize your potential and offer your best.
Have you ever heard a singer with an average voice really sell and deliver the message? Have you ever heard a singer whose voice was technically awe-inspiring but didn't touch your heart or challenge your spirit? Let talk about some steps you can take as a soloist, choir member or worship leader to help you really "own" the songs you sing.
First, let's define 'own' as: Fully understanding the message (lyrics and meaning), notes, rhythms and phrasing of a song. Then, being able to translate that understanding into musical, lyrical and physical expression, that is clearly and easily received by the listener. From the composer's heart, to your heart, to the listener's ear.
Next, let's state the obvious: In order to get to know someone, or something, in this case a song, you have to "live with it." Nothing takes the place of spending time with a song. "But," you ask, "couldn't that be a little one-sided, or boring?" Not if you know how to interact with the song. I had the privilege of growing up in some very musical surroundings. My mother and father both sang. My mother was a voice teachers and soloist and often spent hours "living, and interacting" with her music.
Another person who left his mark on my understanding of preparation was my uncle, composer Samuel Barber. I would regularly visit him in New York where either the Metropolitan Opera or New York Philharmonic might be preparing one of his old or new compositions. It was eye opening to watch the best singers and musicians in the world read through and rehearse their music. It left an indelible mark on my young mind. One that created a benchmark I could never forget. Later on, when I met God personally I recognized this is what He wants from us: Excellence, to what ever degree we are capable of it.
Perhaps the most profound, life-changing experience was the five years I spent under the conducting and training leadership of Margaret Hillis, director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus. In a three-hour rehearsal we would spend about 45 minutes relaxing our minds and bodies and warming up our voices. We would then listen as Miss Hillis talked about the composer, the composition, the reason, or inspiration for the music. Then we would all talk through the lyrics conversationally, then in rhythm, all doing each part. We all sang every part on syllables. An hour-and-a-half into the rehearsal we FINALLY got to sing the music and words together. But, by then, we had internalized the essence of the music and meaning. At first this was frustrating as we were anxious to sing. But when we finally did sing it, it was nearly perfect, and we hadn't developed any bad habits doing it wrong. Wow. What a lesson.
What does all of this have to do with you as a worship leader or lead singer? Just this. Inspiration without proper preparation leads to less-than-optimum communications. To put it another way: If your skill level never catches up with your heart level you can be a distraction to your own ministry.
Take time to go through the following steps and see how much more powerful your singing is when you 'own' the song.
KNOW THE WHY. Ask the question: Why was this song written and what is its essence? Summarize the song in several sentences.
LEARN THE LYRIC. Write out the lyrics double-spaced. In between the lines write your own version of the meaning of the lyric. Then, circle any action verbs or adjectives that are the key to getting the message of the song across.
CLAP THE RHYTHM. Clapping the rhythm of the words will internalize this mechanical aspect of the song.
HUMM OR OO THE MELODY. Remembering that pitch is a non-negotiable, sing the melody on a hum or ooo. Pitch-center is everything. Once it's perfect it can be altered for style.
CONDUCT YOURSELF. Using a pencil, or if you're lucky, a real baton, conduct the song as if you were a symphony conductor clearly leading 80 great musicians. Use the arms, face and body to physically feel the song. Why? It's natural. Babies and toddlers automatically respond to music with rhythmic arm movements. It helps internalize the music. It's the natural way.
ACT IT OUT, TO THE EXTREME. Using mime, act out the foundational message of the song. Build a repertoire of expressions and gestures. You may, or may not ever use these expressions in a worship time, but at least you will have 'experienced' the song.
SING IT, AS YOU WILL NEED TO. The final step is to applying all of the above as you communicate the song in a way appropriate to the setting you will be in. That may mean doing more on the inside that you do on the outside. But, those mental pictures of expression and passion will come out in the voice.
Vocal coach Chris Beatty has been training and coaching God's communicators for over three decades. His knowledge of the physical and mechanical elements of singing is in balance with his pastoral heart and desire to see singers be their best. Along with his wife Carole, Chris as created an impressive line of over 30 CDs, books and videos for training the singers of today, and tomorrow. Their workshops and personal coaching round out this God-centered, technically sound ministry. Visit their website at www.vocalcoach.com..
Christopher Beatty–Training the Singers of Today and Tomorrow! Workshop or product information:
Vocal Coach, P.O. Box 2144, Brentwood, TN 37024.
615-331-1080 / www.vocalcoach.com
chris@vocalcoach.com
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