Free Articles on Worship Vocals

Qualities of a Lead Vocalist

8/22/2018

“The lead vocalist (or main vocalist, lead vocals or lead singer) in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer either leads the vocal ensemble or sets against the ensemble as the dominant sound. In vocal group performances, notably in soul and gospel music, and early rock and roll, the lead singer takes the main vocal part, with a chorus provided by other band members as backing vocalists.”
Wikipedia

Leading a worship team on a Sunday is no easy task. It is not merely singing songs for 30 minutes or so, there are other intrinsic skills, all working together to deliver a powerful ministration. What are they?

Comments

Worship Vocals Course

12/29/2017

Comments

November 2017 saw the start of the 6 Week Introductory Vocal Course. It had been a longtime coming. Since launching in February of the same year, I had high expectations of a start in May. Then it moved to June. Then I planned for September.

But nothing. In fact, truth be told, no one signed up. ( click 'Read More' below)

Comments

Sing With Understanding

10/27/2017

Comments

(Excerpts from my presentation at CAC True Worshippers Symposium in Luton. Sept 2017.)

Credit: Dreamstime

1 Corinthians 14.15 speaks best to what the heart of Voice in Ministry : "...I will sing in the Spirit, and I will sing with understanding also."

I cannot claim I got this scripture by inspiration or through my own research. Actually, someone else used this scripture as the sub title for their workshop, which a colleague was teaching at. When i read it, it immediately struck me: YES! Yes,yes,yes! That is it.

That is what I wanted to say for the past 10 years but could not articulate: Sing, but do it with understanding.

The Amplified Bible goes further:"...I will sing with my spirit [by Holy Spirit that is within me],but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding."

Ok. Hold that thought.

Let me bring in my other foundation scripture as the two goes together nicely. 1 Chronicles 15:22 says: "Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in singing, was put in charge of carrying the ark and lifting up song. He instructed about these matters because he was skilled and able." (AMP)

The four words that bring these two passages together are: intelligently, understanding, skilled and able. All these four words are intertwined and guide us towards the same goal that as worship leader and vocalist, we are to be good at what we do.

'Good' meaning knowledgeable, trained and experienced.

(Sidenote: Notice that I did not say excellent and I did not say perfect. Whilst excellence is an aim, it is not the minimum requirement to lead and sing. 'Good and Competent' surely has to be the minimum. And whilst perfection is highly desirous, it is, alas, unobtainable, although this should not deter from wanting to develop and aim to give God our best.)

Like any other instrument of worship, the voice benefits from training, practice, and skillfulness.

1 Cor 14:15 suggests 'sing with understanding' means sing knowing what you are doing; with awareness and comprehending the words you are saying. With this in mind, it can be equally applied to the act of singing; the function of the voice and how it is used as an instrument.

You could sum it up as following:

The action of singing requires awareness and comprehension; developing skill, technique,understanding and ability.

Only then, as 1 Chronicles 15:22 reveals, can one lead vocally(sing) and be in charge!

Voice in Ministry exists to support worship leaders and worshippers in taking charge of their voice, singing with understanding, in a spirit of excellence.

Finally I quote Isaiah Raymond Dyer

EVERY Skill should POINT to the Giver of the gift, ability and agility and should
cause HIS impact to run through ours lives!" Amen!!!!!

Please like and leave your comment below.

If you'd like to to book private lessons or a workshop for your choir get in touch on 07733 5345 29 or send us an email.

Comments

10 Qualities of a Backing Vocalist Worth Knowing

10/11/2016

Comments

Backing vocalists are singers who provide vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. In some cases, a backing singer may sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. (wikipedia)

Backing Vocalists (BV) can make or break a worship set so it is important to have strong singers who are confident in their gifting. Experienced BVs know how to flow with worship and, most important, flow with the worship leader. They are always ready for the unexpected, always alert to the movement of the Holy Spirit and they know and understand how to use their voice to express the heart of God. On the other hand, an inexperienced or poor BV can have a disruptive affect on a worship set that can put the whole set out of sync, not only with the other vocalists but also with the musicians and congregation.

Here I list 10 Qualities of a Backing Vocalist Its Worth Knowing

1. Ability to Sing ( or willing to learn how)– As a BV the voice IS our instrument. And like any other instrument, you need to know how to use it. A guitarist is not born with the ability to play a guitar, s/he has to learn and understand the instrument. Whereas, with the voice - the instrument; its function, its purpose and use - is built in from birth. Isn't this even more reason to care and protect the voice in ministry? After all, if it is damaged, you cannot buy another one! A BV must be able to sing, follow melody, stay in pitch and preferably hold harmony, if required. A BV should also know the extent of their range, whether they are Alto, Soprano, Tenor, Bass or Baritone.

2. Co operative Team Player - Being a backing singer normally means being part of a team. The very essence of the phrase suggests there is more than one; some one is leading at least. If you want to be a part of the worship team, learn to be a team player, supporting your fellow vocalists and musicians.

3. Good Listener - It is important that a BV can listen carefully to instructions from the lead singer or/and musical director, especially when performing a live set. They are normally giving you information regarding how many times a verse is sung or if there will be a key change or transpose that they will expect your to follow. A lead singer may also be giving instructions when s/he wants the BV's to take over lead vocals so they can be free to speak or minister as the Holy Spirit prompts.

4. Bold Enough to Ask questions - Its OK to have a query or not understand an instruction. What is not OK , is to not then clarify your query, when you have a chance. Be bold enough to ask. The best place to do this is, of course, during team practice time. Is this the right key? How many times do we sing the chorus? Should I drop out here? Would you like me to come in at this at this point? And so on. If your question will help you to sing effectively then be ready to ask. And if you're a lead singer, be ready to answer.

No, Adele is not leading Worship, but its a good picture. :) (credit: adele-theoneandonly)

5. Committed to Practice - Practice, Practice, Practice! A worship team is only as good as the amount of times they practice. If you are a BV you should be committed to attend team practice regularly. There's no nice way to put this: It is disrespectful when, last minute, a BV rocks up without explanation on a Sunday morning, expecting to sing, but having not attend that weeks practice. Remember all the song arrangements have already been rehearsed and completed in advance. Committing to team practice time means you are well rehearsed and prepared for Sunday service.

6. Observant - Of course, BV's are expected to worship too during a worship set. However, they still need to be looking at the lead singer or musical director to be ready for musical changes. If you close your eyes when worshipping, there is a moment to get 'lost' but what happens if precisely at this moment the lead singer indicates to transpose or stop? Many, many worship and choir singers close their eyes and miss their musical cue. The impact on the song at that point can be distracting and off-putting. A backing vocalist that worships and watches will be stronger for it.

7. Practising Prayer Warrior - Worship is not only about preparing and singing songs. It is also being ready to go to prayer. To understand the role and importance of the worship singer, 2 Chronicles 20:19, 21- 22, shows us the place of singers in the midst of war. If we are to lead, to be at the forefront, we must be ready to put on the Armour of God through prayer.

8. Can Confidently Improvise and Ad lib  - The ability to fill in; add dynamics, change vocal texture and tone is a good quality to have, in my opinion. Empty musical space can be just as distracting as overplaying and can switch people off. To be honest, it is a pet peeve of mine. Here's why. Imagine, The Spirit of God is flowing and people are beginning to engage with God, a soft musical interlude with vocals is needed, the leader is indicating to the BV's to continue to minister quietly in song and then.....nothing! They cannot add any ooo's or ahhs. No gentle hums or line repeats. No understated harmonies. Just perplexed looks at not knowing where to start. So its left to the lead singer to minister and back up too. I have seen this happen many, many, MANY times.   No, i am not saying that there is no room for silence. Of course there is. How else will we hear God speak if we do not allow silence to have its place? However, being able to sense that atmospheric shift and intuitively flow vocally (musicality) is an essential element of leading worship.

9. Ability to Sing by Ear  - Ok, lets face it, even if you can read music, the vast majority of worship teams and choirs want people who can sing by ear. People who can pick up a tune quickly and stay in pitch, with little or no instruction. This is especially true if you are required to sing harmonies. So if you cannot sing by ear, the best thing to do is to learn how to do it. This could be by taking music lessons or working with a singing teacher. Not being able to 'sing by ear' does not mean you cannot sing. Its likely to mean your Aural skills are not your strongest learning style and you need to learn or complement your listening/hearing with visual or tactile (Kinesthetic) aids.

10. Tech Aware  - A BV who understands the technical equipment around them is already in control of their personal musical space on stage. They understand how to use the microphone, the difference between the stage and house monitors, sound levels, what the musicians require from vocalists and so on. You do not have to take a course in music technology to sing but it is worth getting to know the PA guy/gal as a starting point.

To your Vocal Success

What do you think? Disagree? Agree? Tell me why.

Comments

Vocal Longevity: 7 Common Vocal Mistakes Worship Leaders Make

9/3/2016

Comments

Having had the opportunity of leading both Pentecostal/Charismatic worship services and Contemporary Christian English Worship Services, I have a good idea of the subtle and stark differences between the two worship styles. I attended Pentecostal churches for about 12 years and have been attending 'Contemporary English' churches for the past 12 years so a good half and half of my 24 years as a Christian has been spent in either or either.
Although the two worship styles are very very different; Pentecostal is loud, jubilant, happy and outwardly expressive through dance, spontaneous clapping, un-orchestrated praise, whilst Contemporary English has all those demonstrations but is far more reserved and mute compared to the Pentecostal approach; they both throw up have some common vocal issues and mistakes when it comes to singing praise and worship. (When I say 'Worship leader' this includes Lead and backing vocalists)

Here is what I have learnt:

1. The Praise and Worship Leader does not warm-up
Although this list is not in any order of importance, the no 1 place has to be given to warming up, only because many worship leaders seem rarely bothered to do them. If you have ever found it difficult to sing on a Sunday morning, your voice feels stiff and unresponsive, almost like it doesn't want to do what you want it to, you cannot hit high notes, you crack or cough, it is very likely to be your lack of warming up.
Most people do not do it because they cannot be bothered or think they do not have to because they have a natural singing voice already, but that is NOT what warming up is about. Warming up is not a comment on ones ability to sing or not, as if you can speak clearly and fluently you can sing. Just because you can do it naturally and without aid is not special.
But what warming up demonstrates is a technical knowledge of the voice and an understanding of what it takes to sing and maintain vocal longevity. It demonstrates the deeper understanding that, if you are called to a vocal ministry, your voice is your instrument and you must look after it, just like any athlete would look after his/her body to run the race and run it to win. We all can run, we can 'compete' but warming up helps us to stay in the race longer and gives a better chance of reaching the finish line.

Warming up need not take up too much time. You only need 10 – 20mins. If you said 20 mins is too long, think about it this way, when you hit the shower in the morning a few hums will help to re-balance the voice. What about mimicking the sound of your electric tooth brush whilst brushing our teeth? You can even complete a few cycles of sirens too. It will not impede on your time any longer than it takes to brush your teeth! You get up, you shower and brush your teeth, now for your first cup of tea or coffee . This will warm through your vocal area, sending blood rushing to the voice box. You've had your breakfast and you then get in your car to drive to church. It's a 10,15, 20 minute drive. Plenty of time to go through some more complex warmups such as arpeggios, Lip trills on longer scale structures etc etc.
What I am saying, in a polite way, is there is always time to warm up if you build it into your daily life. Not only will you be ready for Sunday morning worship but you are also keeping your voice in tip top shape.

2. The Song Leader assumes the team knows the song
That moment when you try to sing a song but the team does not know it. You end up singing the melody, the harmonies,the high bits and the low bits till you are vocally exhausted. This has happened to me several times (especially when I have felt the move of the Holy Spirit and a 'new' unplanned song comes to mind in the middle of a worship set). There are several reasons I have found this has happened. 1. everyone in the team said they know the song - or will catch it, but really only one person knows it and that person is vocally 'shy' so won't sing out or fill in to support you . 2. There are different versions of the song. Which one are we singing?? 3. The musicians said they know the song but do not ( basically stop playing and leave you hanging) or they, too, play another version. 4. The leader did not communicate details of the song at all. So no one is sure what they are doing except the leader!
If you have found yourself in these positions on a Sunday morning the thought is the show must go on and in most cases you will probably bear the weight of the song ok by yourself. On other occasions the song can prove too big and needs back up and this is where it can take an awful strain on the voice as you try to compensate for the parts the team is not familiar with.
I won't say do not introduce a new song in the middle of a worship set ( In my opinion, we must keep room for the movement of the Holy Spirit.) but if you do introduce a new song, set the pace by singing it as solo first. Don't be afraid to ask the backing vocalists and band to drop out and just have the keys or lead guitar play alongside you. Or, drop the music altogether and sing it acapella. That way you are in control of the team, the music and your voice and ultimately how that impacts the congregation.

3. They have not taken time to practice the songs
In a way this is the answer to all the topics in this list. Regular practice. For me that means regular team practice and regular personal practice. The two go hand in hand. But I can tell you from experience that many many many worship teams DO NOT HAVE PRACTICE TIME. If you do not practice it shows during worship service with one by -product being people starting on different keys, different tones, and individual voices instead of one sound and tone. Personal practice time is also, sadly, underrated and lack of it reflects back through through the voice, particularly when hitting high notes!
This is very obvious and I am 'preaching to the choir' on this one but practice, practice and practice again. Make time for team practice. Schedule it in to the week or monthly church calendar, whichever is convenient for the majority, and then make sure the majority is in attendance. The same for personal practice time, schedule it in whether it be daily or weekly. Take your ministry serious enough to practice as set by the example of Chenaniah in 1 Chron 15:22.

4. The key Is too high or too low
Sometimes the song starts in what seems like a comfortable key then it jumps really high ( a fifth and above) and it is suddenly out of your range. A good example of this is Ron Kenoly's, Ancient of Days. I have to admit, if this song comes on during worship I have to stop, watch and listen with breath bated as the bridge approaches because it is either going to be very good or really really bad. Screechingly bad. It is not unusual to hear the vocals drop lower instead of attempt the high bridge.
But this is where regular practice comes in because it gives a chance to work out the most comfortable note for everyone so as to avoid the tight squeezing and straining of the voice on the high bridge. As a habit worship teams often give Altos the melody on this song and everyone starts in unison, so when the harmonies kick in on the bridge the sopranos have a long way to jump up and end up either screaming or disappearing into a head voice. I have always found the original key (D)of the song is perfect and need not be moved if the sopranos* are given the melody but this means female tenors are too low. So moving the key up one or two and giving melody to the sopranos* should keep all sections in a comfortable natural vocal place, thus eliminating the straining and screaming. (*if they are proper sopranos. A slightly higher key may not work so well if your sopranos are really high altos.)

5. Oversinging the songs
Ok, this one is a classic voice breaker. The worship leader starts doing runs and riffs all over a simple song, belting out long notes for ages and not looking at the congregation - or their team- once. Yes, embarrassingly, I have done this too, peeking through one eye to see if I am impacting but all I end up doing is pushing my vocals, pulling my chest register high and missing crucial notes on my runs. In other words, no one is buying it! And I am not the only one. Many of you do it too.
The irony is I really hate when I find myself fall into doing it as it is rarely done on purpose, rather I am not spiritually engaged for one reason or another so go to default which is not good for me vocally or for the service over all. I have seen many worship leaders do the same thing. Just over doing it to either demonstrate their vocal agility or to fill in for spiritual lack. So by the time worship is over their voice is drained and tired from the short solo-ish performance.

Keep oversinging ( dynamics, runs, riffs, belts) to a minimum for congregational worship time(remember worship service is about everyone not just you) this way you will keep your vocals in a natural comfortable range whilst still executing a few embellishments here and there. I want to say, there is nothing wrong with embellishments and dynamics but when used incorrectly they impact vocals and worship negatively rather than, respectively, enhance and engage. There is a difference between performance worship ( concert solo) and congregational worship (Church Lead)

6. They Do Not Pace Themselves Through the Set
Ok, this one is mainly for my Pentecostal compatriots. Imagine this: You are the song leader, singing and leading 3 praise songs back to back to open worship time. If you're anything like me, you are leaping, dancing, jumping, spinning, extoling, exhalting and encouraging the congregation to lift their hands and join you. You love it but it arduous. 25Mins have gone and you're tired, your voice is getting weary already and you are very much aware you still have 2 worship songs to go in a 30 – 45 minute set. Will your voice hold out till the end?

The answer, of course, is: Yes, if you pace yourself. No, if you do not.

Hoarseness or loss of voice at the end of a worship set is not a sign one is a good worship leader( I think I will write something about this. Too many people do it). Rather it suggests one does not know how to pace oneself through the set and feels that every word, phrase and dynamic must be sung. In my experience it is not necessary and it is actually ok to let the backing vocals or congregation carry the song whilst you take a vocal rest.
Remember, the song leader is often going between singing and speaking.
This alone takes a toll on the voice as you are using the voice in two different ways, essentially switching from one mechanical gear to another mechanical gear. Or, like driving a car forwards for a period of time then suddenly reversing for a few seconds, then back to driving forwards. That is what is it like switching between singing and speaking ( and explains why many singers and gospel preachers 'sing speak')

Pacing yourself is easy, if you can allow yourself to give space to your backing team or musicians to sing and play. After all, they need to express their worship too, so give them space to do so and use the opportunity to give yourself a vocal break; rest and reset your voice.

7. The Praise and Worship Leader is not Listening
I found this to be one of the most common problems for a song leader to lose their voice: not listening! Not listening to the Backing vocalists, not listening to the musicians and especially not listening to their own voice! Now it could be that there is no PA system, the system is not very good or the PA guy/gal is not very good. Either way there are still ways to actively listen to the team and yourself.
First is to actively listen. Listen to what is going on around you whilst you are singing. Listen to the monitors (house or stage) and listen to the instruments. They send aural clues back to you about your pitching, if you are straining or pushing too hard.
If you do not have any monitors then use your hand over your ear, now and again, to help make sure you remain in pitch and are not shouting or straining on high notes. Remember that you need to hear what the congregation is hearing. If you have no monitors, use you hand over your ear to help you to hear what they are hearing.

By actively listening to what is going on around you, you maintain a higher level of control over the volume of music, which ultimately helps you to maintain control over your own voice, avoiding, in particular, shouting, straining and singing off pitch. You also can ensure the BV's are in pitch or harmonies or wherever you need them to be at that point. Actively listening will help eliminate many vocal problems when singing.

These are some the common vocal mistakes I have seen - and heard - made by worship leaders, myself included. The good thing is by making slight adjustments to how you approach your voice in ministry (remember it is your instrument) can help you quickly eliminate persistent problems with your vocals thus enabling to you to sing and minister confidently.

To your vocal success.
Dionne

Have you had your own experience? Tell us about it in our comment section below.

Comments

<<Previous

Free Articles

Qualities of a Lead Vocalist

Worship Vocals Course

Sing With Understanding

10 Qualities of a Backing Vocalist Worth Knowing

Vocal Longevity: 7 Common Vocal Mistakes Worship Leaders Make

Author

Archives

Categories