Leaders, Singers, Vocal Team, Voice, Worship Leading, Worship Planning
My Victory / Vocal Tutorial (Show #75)
#MyVictory (Video Below)
4 min read
Are They Following You?
Just because you’re leading worship, does not necessarily mean that the church is following you. There are more distractions that can get in the way: the un-flow of song, vocal disruptions, poor rehearsals and working as a team through the technical glitches.In application of building our leading and singing skills, we will use our theme song of the week: “My Victory.” Here are some steps we can take as leaders to help us stay on track with our churches.
1. Always Be Clear
During Rehearsal and Runthrough, be clear in your direction. This involves key, tempo, song mapping, flow and making adjustments. Communicating the sections of the verse and chorus to mark out where you are going is huge to the team.Don’t assume they will read your mind. Even if you’ve done the song 10,000 times for 10,000 reasons, doesn’t mean your band mates and singers will know where you are going in the event of changes. Mapping out when and where voices/instruments entrances/exits, verse/chorus/bridge sections, as well as volume and dynamics will make a great blue print for your band.
My old composition professor reminded me once, “if ever your musicians have questions as to what you’re doing, it’s because you’re not clear.” His words still ring in my ears when I rehearse/lead my own team. Simply, good communication will bring confidence to your team.
2. Stick to the Plan
Don’t Change it, once you set things into motion! The most frustrating issues among the team are changes that are either unanounced or spoken at the last minute. Believe me, I’m speaking from experience. As leaders, we may be able to roll with the punches, but this may not be the case for our volunteers and even professionals. Whenever you set plans in stone (hopefully this is accomplished in rehearsal), stick to the etchings of your own commands.Changes to the key, lyrics and especially the entire song itself can throw a huge curve to the team. This means they’re back at the drawing board and all their preparation is now out the window. Yes, we are lead by the Holy Spirit in worship and we follow His lead. However, being a good leader also means that you keep you vows (Ecclesiastes 5:4 ) and move with your people (Ex 19.17).
3. The Vocal Chain of Command:
In leading worship and music, the chain of command is to serve one another. It begins by listening. Following the Worship Leader and/or Audio Engineer will help you navigate through the flow.If you are a singer:
a. listen to where the main vocal lead is going.
b. Avoid being too quick to harmonize or especially, sing over the leader.
c. Know your role, listen to the melody, choose what you sing wisely and follow the leader.
d. As a musician, do the same. Follow the flow of the main vocal and not the other instrument. In fact, the entire band needs to adjust their focus to where the leader is leading.
e. If there is over-playing and high volumes, and the worship leader is not heard, they are just “buried-in-the-mix,” and so is their direction.
f. By listening to where the vocal is being led, it gives you as a musician a broader concept of how to paint the overall picture.
g. Tell the story, you have the unique opportunity to add color, images and context. All good stories have an appeal from beginning to end, this is also reflective in our music making. We bring the congregation on a musical journey to enhance their worship. Remember, your talent and skill is also a tool to help others worship.
“Your church has a story, are you helping them sing it?” @BranonDempsey
The Recap
When you have a plan for your team and church, it serves as the foundation. When the Holy Spirit does lead, you have a basis of operation – it’s also called planned-spontaneity.Over all, stay true to your words at rehearsal to service. Your consistency will be esteem your band and add to the affirmation of your leadership. Most importantly, you will serve your church in the way of a guide or anchor to the worship. Because you have a clear direction, so will they in pointing their praise to God.
@BranonDempsey @worshiptt
WATCH SHOW #75!
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