Dad Revisited

As a Music Teacher and Choir Director, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been asked about what to do with ‘non-singers.’ I’ve also been heard “I can’t sing” more than a thousand times.

Look. You can sing. Not everyone is a professional. I’ll admit it, you probably don’t sing as well as I do. You may not sing as well as half of my choir. You may not sing as well as anyone in my choir. Perhaps you don’t hit the notes so good. Maybe you have a hard time following along with the music. Maybe you can’t get from high to low and back again without a little help. Maybe the people around you look twice once you start singing.

Maybe you are not as bad as you think. There are a few things you can do in order to improve your chances of being successful when you are singin along in church:

1. Prepare. Before the service starts, take a look at the hymn board (most places post the numbers prior to services) and look over today’s music. A successful skier walks the hill before he starts a race. Do the same with your music.
2. Stand up or sit up straight. Your body is your instrument. Would a flute work well if it was all bent up? No. Neither does the body. Tall and straight makes it easier for all the muscles you need for church singing to work properly.
3. Don’t forget to breathe. Air is the fuel of singing. If you are short of breath, you will never sound good. Get a good, deep breath before you start the first line. It’s like an Indy Car driver’s first tank of gas. It’s the only time you get to fill up all the way. After that, you will have to breathe quickly, so make the first tank as full as possible.
4. Lighten up. Literally. On your voice. You don’t have to carry the entire church. You just have to sing for yourself. Don’t whisper, but don’t try and raise the rafters. A nice, moderate singing sound should be easier to maintain.
5. Let it go. If you miss something, it’s gone. Music is a snapshot in time. That which is missed cannot be reclaimed. Find out where everyone else is, find a place to jump in, breathe, and sing.
6. Pick your battles. Some songs are harder than others. Let the experienced singers, choir, or song leader do the heavy lifting. Join in on the refrain/chorus. By the end of most songs, you should know it by heart.
7. Lighten up. Figuratively. On yourself. It’s worship, and it’s meant to be meaningful, not perfect.

If the folks around you are looking askance at you, imagine that it is because they are impressed with your prayerfulness and musical skills. After all, as St. Augustine said, “Singing is praying twice.”