Tuesday, April 14

7 "New" Tips for Christian Contemporary Music Singers...


As I was thinking about "tips for singers", I thought back on "Directions for Singers" written by John Wesley for a Hymnal published in 1761. He was providing direction for how people ought to sings those "newfangled hymns"...a 1760's version of contemporary worship tunes...

I read through his work, thought about how we might express his thoughts today and came up with these seven "tips for Christian singers" Let me know what you think about them...

1. Really learn and understand the lyrics you’re singing. Understand what the writer was trying to get across in the song and embrace the lyrics with your whole body, mind, AND voice.

2. Make sure you have the words memorized in a way you don’t have to think about them or use “tricks” so you won’t forget (see tip #1)

3. Remember to keep singing all the way thru the song…don’t try to think ahead, or focus on a particular part of the song when you need to concentrate more…you need to sing all the way through the songs, telling the whole story as written by the songwriter as it unfolds.

4. Sing with your whole self. When you’re done with the song, you should have nothing left to give emotionally to the story you just told.

5. Sing appropriately for your audience…if for the Lord, with respect: if with other believers singing along, lead but blend in. If for pre-Christians: in an appropriate way for them to be moved…by your song, not your person.

6. Sing in Tune and in Time. Let your vocal be a seamless part of the song lyric, perfect in rhythm, and note.

7. The Most Important Tip of All: Sing in and to the Spirit. Our ultimate audience is God Almighty, and our ultimate source of the power to be used by God is from Him also. If we please the Lord in our obedience to the calling suggested by our talents, and serve Him in full surrender with excellence, His work will be done through us, and not as a result of our effort alone. Work as if the results are our responsibility, trust and know that the results are God’s work, and His work will be done through you.


How are you approaching singing in our Lord's name today? Have you thought about the question? What do you think you might do differently, having read through these ideas?

For John Wesley's original "Directions", click here (very amusing reading in his original language.) For more information about this topic, email Mike Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com

Thursday, April 2

Minnesota Christian vocalists have an opportunity to open for Phillips, Craig, and Dean!


Hey, Folks!


A new way to have some fun and learn more about singing to the Lord...

Spirit 92 Radio (KKJM 92.9 in Sauk Rapids (http://www.spirit929.com/) is conducting a contest to choose the opening act for the May 21st, 2009 Phillips, Craig, and Dean concert in St Cloud. Vocalists can audition at any one of three locations in the listening area.


Unlike "American Idol", there will be no "Simon-izing"; just positive reinforcement and coaching from the three judge panel who will also instruct the audience before each event in the appropriate art of encouragement!

Saturday, January 3

Joyful Noise Ministries hosts a new poll...

Hey, Folks....I'm looking for some input.

I've put a simple poll on worship music styles on the left at the top of my home page on this blog.

Would you be willing to click on the link below to participate and help me gather some data for an upcoming article and seminar?

Feel free to comment...I used some pretty arbitrary descriptions so I know I've missed some different ways to characterize worship styles....please enlighten me if you have some other thoughts...

Thanks!

About JoyFul Noise Ministries....

JoyFul Noise Ministries provides Christian Music and Worship Arts Ministry development services, Studio and Live recording services, and Music Publishing services to emerging artists whom God has called and gifted to serve Him in ministry.

JFN Ministries also offers Teaching Seminars, Coaching, and Consulting in Praise and Worship Arts to churches, their praise teams, artists, and professional staff.