Most capable singers who are at least familiar with harmony are quite capable of finding the 3rd (Major third off the melody line). The problem, however, arises when they stick TOO closely to the 3rd – or what’s called a “parallel (3rd) harmony”. Parallel harmonies (3rd’s) that never stray from the 3rd can REALLY mess …
Layering Vocals
Vocals are – in most respects – the most underestimated and undervalued instruments in your worship arsenal. The fact that many can regurgitate appropriate lyrics (mostly on pitch) with relative ease can lead most leaders and members to rubber-stamp any vocals offered as “good enough” for service. Buckle up; because the truth is far from …
Microphone Techniques
The microphone – as the performance savvy come to realize – is not simply a device used to amplify the voice; it is, rather, an instrument used as an extension of their vocal skills. Understanding and respecting microphone positioning capabilities enhances the opportunity to maximize vocal potential. The microphone is an instrument used as an …
Effective Backing Vocals
I don’t know how many of us have witnessed multiple lead vocalists attempting to share the same vocal stage – during the same song. While there may be some true “harmony” present, there can be a perceived “limelight-hog” air about the event that can leave the participants feeling like they’ve gotten a pedicure from a cheese grater (slightly …
For Your Vocal Health
As singers, we have the benefit of carrying our instrument with us everywhere we go. The down-side is… We take our instrument EVERYWHERE we go; we don’t have the luxury of throwing it into a case for a week while we get over the flu. Like athletes, our voices are best utilized and conditioned for …
Operating In Harmony
Have you ever arrived at practice with singers that are very capable at improvisational harmonies, but end up criss-crossing, doubling, leaving open 5ths, or inadvertently dropping into melody? There is a tendency to assume that just because you “can” harmonize on-the-fly, that there need be no preparation for the vocalists before practice. However, preparing multiple …
So You Think You Can Sing?
Cliff gives some great tips for worship vocalists.
Basics of Back Up Vocals
There’s a major problem facing the church, one of such severe magnitude that we all must take action now! Back-up vocalists are singing too much. Ok, so maybe the issue isn’t as big as I said, but still, can we discuss? When serving as a vocalist on a worship team we are either vocally leading …
Vocal Warm-Ups
Our vocalists have an interesting struggle, in that their instrument is their voice and their voice (or vocal chords) is a muscle. To achieve a greater sound from any instrument it needs to be taken care of. Just as a guitarist will show up on a Sunday morning, plug-in, and check the tuning on his …