Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Comment from Vocal Coach Chris Beatty: My guest author for this blog is one worth hearing, in words and music . Jamie Harvill is not only the author of Ancient of Days, Firm Foundation and many more popular worship songs. He is a pastor and highly experienced worship leader, guitarist, singer and one of my favorite worship leaders. If you go to Jamie’s site at jamieharvill.com you can take advantage of his summer Online-and-phone training classes for songwriters and worship leaders.
When interviewed for a magazine a few days ago I was asked the question, “What would you say are the top three priorities for worship leaders?” My answers are simple but I believe that if heeded and practiced, they will bring fruit to your worship leading experience. My suggestions are based on the teaching of Jesus from Matthew 22:37-40 when He was asked what He thought was the greatest commandment:
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (NIV)
1. Love God. This seems obvious at first but it is a commandment from Jesus. Loving God in every area of our life is our greatest testimony. When we have a passion for God in work, when we play, when times are smooth and when they are rocky, when we are with our families and our guard is down, our passion for God is obvious and it is contagious when others see us living what we lead.
2. Love people. We must live a singular life when we lead people. We cannot be one way with our close friends and then another with those we lead at church. If we lead by influence (and this, in my opinion, is the only way to lead), and we love and respect people–stopping to listen to their story and showing care and concern for them–they will follow us. A true leader is one who never has to force people to follow. If you find yourself coercing others to follow, you are not a leader. People will follow your leadership if you care for them.
3. Bring excellence. My pastor always encourages our team to bring our “A” game each service. We have five services each weekend and it can be easy to “phone-one-in” if we are not careful.
The best way for me to bring my best is to, first, be prepared. I believe proper preparation for our worship leading brings rest. I am relaxed. This, in turn, helps my team and the congregation to be relaxed (people have a hard time focusing on God when you are fumbling around as the leader).
Second, it helps to be focused. I try to train my heart and mind to zero-in on the task at hand for the hour or so before I lead. One tool I use to help me with this is to put a cheat-sheet (notes, keys changes, chord changes, arrangements, etc.) on the floor next to my mic stand so I can look down and find my bearings, if needed, as I proceed through the worship service.
Third, I think rehearsal is so important. I can hear you saying a collective, “DUH!” right about now! We have rehearsals on Tuesday nights so we then have a few days to study the rehearsal CD before we arrive back on Saturday afternoon to lead the services. Two services Saturday and two or three Sunday in multiple sanctuaries. It’s a busy place.
I find that all of these preps bring rest and there is no better way to lead others. When we have a passion for God and people while knowing where we are going in worship, and how we are going to get there, others will gladly follow!
I have many more things to say that I can’t write here in this one post. So, if you want to learn more, I want to give you an opportunity to join me as I am starting two new web-based schools offering virtual classrooms and personal coaching. I will be the main instructor for both tracks. One track is to train and strengthen the next generation of songwriters for the church called Song Schools. The other course, Worship Consultants, is for churches and worship leaders who want to improve leadership skills, team-building and worship services. You can find out more details about each course at songschools.com, worshipconsultants.com and jamieharvill.com. Classes start in mid-July.
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Tags: chris beatty, jamie harvill, vocal coach, vocal training, worship leader, worship training
Posted in Choir Directors, From the Coach, Performance, Singing and Voice Lessons, Songwriting, Tips Tailored for You, Worship Team | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Lots of Experience, but Poor Technique
I recently had a new student who has been performing on stage and in the studio for many years. Recently, she has experienced several occurrences of her voice just leaving, and not returning full strength for weeks. The Ear, Nose and Throat doctor scoped her and announced, “You’re vocal folds are completely healthy.”
Good News; Bad News
It was encouraging to know that there was no visible, physical damage. At the same time it was discouraging not to know what caused the vocal loss. Her next step was coming to me, a voice teacher (technique and mechanics) and vocal coach (interpretation and expression).
A Little of the Right Kind of Training Can Go A Long Way
This gifted and experienced singer had never had regular vocal training of any kind. As we went step-by-step through her vocal technique, making adjustments along the way, she was shocked at all the big and little things that could be adjusted. She was also pleased to know the “why” of everything we did. With this full understanding, she will be able to reproduce the right technique until it becomes habit. That muscle memory will take a few months. But, meaningful changes were already starting to take place.
Start Where You Are and Don’t Stop Learning
Even if you haven’t experienced the kind of trouble this student did, there is a good chance you have more to learn. Most of us get complacent until there’s trouble. The smarter approach is to keep learning, and learning and learning. Set yourself up for success by doing regular warm-ups and singing songs. All along the way, track what’s working and what isn’t in a journal. That way you have a measure of what’s going on and can share it with a teacher or coach. Even if you don’t work with a teacher you can choose what training materials you need.
For example, if you have terrible posture during the day, and run out of breathing when singing you might consider our Compete Breathing and Complete Tone CD’s. They get right to the heart of the matter with very specific principles and exercises. If you need to be more expressive consider enrolling in a voice class or acting class at a local community college. If you have the desire, there’s probably a way to make it happen.
Let Me Know Your Thoughts in the Comments section below.
Tags: chris beatty, healthy singing, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal health, vocal training
Posted in Performance, Singing and Voice Lessons, Soloist, Tips Tailored for You, Worship Team | 2 Comments »
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
Don’t Forfeit Your Own Voice By Just Imitating Others!
If you never take the time and effort to discover your own best vocal sound you may well forfeit, and be deprived of ever knowing your full vocal potential. Here are some thoughts and steps to help you keep growing and be your best.
We Learn By Imitation
It is true that we learn to speak by imitation. Everything from tone quality to diction and accent will reflect those you were around during your vocally formative years. But, you are not limited to how you began. Any performer who has taken singing or acting classes realizes the tremendous potential to expand and fine-tune the vocal instrument.
There Are Limitations, But Not That Many
That being said, there are limits to what any vocalist can do, depending on the anatomy and structure of the individual. But, few of us come close to maximizing the potential that’s just waiting to happen. A modern day example of that is demonstrated in the American Idol TV show. It is common to see a mediocre singer, with good potential suddenly come alive and really communicate. How does this happen?
They are challenged, coached and rehearsed by professionals in a focused environment. They are also forced to experience new styles and genres. Some, that they may not even relate to. The result? They have the opportunity to try new things, push their abilities beyond the comfort zone and grow as artists and communicators.
Here Are Some Steps To Help You Reach Your Potential
1. Open Your Mind and Ears. Get out of the mental rut that says, “This is just how I sound.” Change that to, “This is how I have sounded, but there’s probably much, much more I can do.” Start listening to some other songs and styles within your comfort zone (for now) and sing along. If you never allow your voice to try something new you will live in a vocal and stylistic rut.
2. Be Creative and Daring Alone. Become as uninhibited as a child in using not only your voice, but also your face, arms and entire body to act out the song. Go overboard, exaggerating everything just to experience the potential. Will you need to dial that back a little in real performance? Maybe, but probably not as much as you first think. Full, honest, meaningful expression is what you owe to your listener.
3. Be Creative and Daring In Front of Others. Find a few people with some performance experience and ask them to be your audience. Let them know you are striving to expand your vocal and physical expression and get their feedback. But remember that even they should not limit your road to experimentation.
4. Use Neutral Tools. Mirrors and video feedback, using anything from a video camera, computer or iPhone can all be helpful. And, if you’re not already doing it consider some form of systematic training. That can be in the form of a few key CD’s like Complete Breathing, Warm-up & Tone to keep you on track. Comprehensive sets like Vocal Coach Singer include full training principles and exercises, journals and a guidebook to help you track your progress and make meaningful adjustments as you go. You may also find a good local teacher or coach as well as classes at a community college.
There are lots of ways to learn, but do something. Don’t forfeit your best for what just happens to be there now. Be all you can be. It’s much more satisfying for both you and the listener.
Please Share. I’d love to know what has, and has not helped you maximize your vocal gift. Comment here, or email me at chris@vocalcoach.com
Tags: american idol, chris beatty, singing lessons, singing your best, vocal coach, vocal coaching
Posted in Choir Directors, Duets to Groups, Kids and Teens, Performance, Singing Exercises, Singing and Voice Lessons, Teaching Teens To Sing, Tips Tailored for You, Worship Team | 2 Comments »