Choir, Singers, Vocal Team, Voice

Seven Killers Of The Voice

February 4, 2016

#Sing2TheLord

Most singers work very hard on their voice all to find out when they get in-front of a mike, everything goes out the window. True or False? It depends on the singer’s confidence and vocal ability. Fear is the #1 killer of good vocal singing, so lend me your ear to help boost your confidence. Psalm 9:2 says: “I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” God has given you a voice to sing and a message to make melody. How are you singing it? Let’s overcome the barriers and conquer the killers. Proverbs 4:13 reminds us to: “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”  

1. Disliking Sound of Your Voice

Not everyone likes to hear the sound of their own voice, but be careful to not judge yourself or someone else. When you approach the microphone, you should already have in mind, a sound-picture of your voice. Just as you warm up and are relaxed, your voice should not change. I’ve seen many singers approach the mike and all the dynamics and textures change because either they feel they have to Force-it or they Shy-from-it.  

2. Lack of Confidence

I’ve spent many years disliking the sound of my voice. However, instead of me nitpicking over the way I sound, I began to study how to fix it – by recording my own voice. Look at it this way, a recording serves as a mirror of what is really heard. This is just another tool to curtail, shape and explore your sound.

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.” – Mark 4.23-24

 

3. Ignoring the Hard Work

It takes a lot of hard work, but the pay-off is huge. You will notice that as you get comfortable hearing and exploring your voice, confidence will also increase as you develop a solid core of courage. At this point, you will be able to focus more on improving your voice because you are no longer inferior to your voice.  

4. Relying on the Mike

Remember, a good voice begins before the microphone. When you begin to understand the sound of your voice better, you can develop more control and power to use it for good. The mike’s job is to bring dynamic to the voice not amplification.  

5. What Microphones Will Not Do

Microphones will not help you sing better. In fact, they give your hands and voice something more to do. This only adds more things to think about. When it comes to tone, this should be the forethought – no afterthought.

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4.7

 

6. Underestimating Good Pitch

Hearing and singing on good pitch is never to be undervalued. You may not realize, but singing Sunday after Sunday does not improve your voice. It may keep you active, but it doesn’t mean your tone or ear is improving. It means that without good listening skills, you can be repeating the same missed notes and pitches. Developing your ear works the same way as developing your voice.

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3 

 

7. Not Listening Well

Begin by recording your rehearsals as a whole. Listen back and you will be surprised. But listen through the nitpicks and focus on the areas to improve. Listen for the amount of breath the singers take to hold pitch (or how less!). Identify the pitch if it is on the note or way out. Next, stop listening to the recording and try singing the phrase in tune with a piano. Go back to the tape listen again and compare. Be prepared to learn a lot, but don’t get overwhelmed – this is what practice is about and you are doing it. The hard work. As a result, your voice will grow, along with your awareness and confidence. Once you get comfortable of working with your voice in the moments of worship, you will find yourself thinking less of the mechanics as the quality of your voice shines through – one note at a time.

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Remember, a good voice begins before the microphone. When you start to understand the sound of your voice better, you can have a lot of power over it and use it for good. In the end, as you lead worship in confidence with great tone with a better ear. You are able to focus more on the Lord and leading people in worship and les about worrying of the mistakes in a worship service. Sing the message of God with the voice He gave you! “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,” 1 Thessalonians 1:8     @BranonDempsey @worshiptt



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