Tips On The Right Way To Sing Gospel
When you hear someone say sing gospel songs, the first thing that you probably think of is Andrae Crouch or the great Mahalia Jackson
. If you ever heard those persons, you'll know the power and beauty of their voices in singing gospel songs augmented by their energy and expression of performance.
In order to sing gospel music, you need a different thinking and different techniques than traditional, classical music. Many average church choir fall flat when attempting to sing gospel songs because of its power.
Gospel music arose from the Negro spirituals of the American South in the mid-to-late 19th century. African slaves are forbidden by law or by their master to become literate and they were taught to be repetitive like call-and-response songs in the Christian faith.
A leader sings a line or phrase and the group repeats it back, that is what they call a 'call-and-response' song. There is usually a refrain or chorus that is sung by everyone. The structure is simple, the lyrics repetitive, and the emotion heartfelt.
Check out Charles' Wesley or Isaac Watt's classic hymns and compare. The difference is that the lyrics isn't repetitive and there are multiple verses but both are beautiful. You have to be able to read to sing them. With little to no emotions, that is what many choirs and congregations deliver these songs.To much emotions is inappropriate or unseemly. That is what the general belief in some churches.
"Make a Joyful noise unto the Lord!", that's usually the mindset to sing gospel songs. Relax, let go, and have fun! That doesn't mean you should ignore vocal technique, however. After opera, gospel is the next most difficult and demanding type of music to sing, at least many believe so.
Singing gospel well requires a powerful voice and very strong breath support. The phrasing is long, dramatic, and emotional. These type of songs tells a story, and in order to convey it truly you need to let it inside and feel it, believe it. Your listeners will be able to tell if you're not authentic.
If you plan and want to sing gospel, work on supporting and controlling your breath. That's the first important step. A good way to achieve that is the Fontanelli exercise (named for the person who developed it). Stand with good posture and slowly breathe in through your mouth while mentally counting to four, then exhale slowly to another count of four, trying to expel all of the air you took in. Try to maintain that expansion while exhaling. Watch yourself in a full-length mirror to make sure you fully expand your midsection.
Just keep on increasing the count from four to five, then six and so forth when you can easily do the exercise. When you work up to seven or eight, add a hold phase. Breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and exhale to a count of four. Watch to make sure you achieve and maintain good expansion. Gradually increase the count.
Dynamics is the next thing that you must work on. Messa Di Voce is a good exercise for dynamics (Italian word for "Placement of Voice"). Sing a comfortable pitch in the middle of your range after taking a good, well-supported breath. While sustaining the pitch, start very softly and gradually get louder, then gradually get softer again.
To work on expression, study the text of your song. Try reading it aloud as if it were a poem or story, then try to sing it with the same expression you used in speaking it. Watch videos of great gospel singers, such as Mahalia Jackson (there are several on YouTube).
When you sing gospel, the words are paramount. Remember, it originated as a way to teach people who couldn't read, so they had to be able to understand the text. Enunciate your words as clearly as you can. Again, watching videos will be helpful.
Above all, have fun! More than anything else, gospel music is JOYFUL. Sing it like you really mean it.
Tips On The Right Way To Sing Gospel
By: UsedCar Pilipinas
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