Copyright

1999 by Carole Brewer

Souped-up Edition 2001 Beefed-up Edition 2007
Buffet Editions 2014
All rights reserved.
No part may be reproduced in any form without written permission.
ISBN 978-0-615-17264-4
All scriptures are taken from
the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION NIV.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Back cover photo by Grant Parker 2006
Illustrations by Zedcor, Inc. 1998
Additional photos and illustrations by Carole Brewer and Carol Roth.
Printed in the United States of America
J.W. Brewer Music Publishing Company
P.O. Box 628 Fair Oaks, California 95628

This book is dedicated to
my Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
He has given me
His joy
and a new song to sing.


My special thanks to:
my husband Jan for daily blessing me with his support, encouragement, and love
my dear friends for praying and proof-reading
to our pastors, past and present, for their servant-hearted leadership
Doug Britton for helping to facilitate this project
my wonderful family for sitting through my entire Senior Recital
to all of my students for teaching me so much


1 First Things 1st

Recipe for a servants heart.

2 So Much is in the Presentation

How does your song look on the outside?

3 Well-baked Breathing
How to get air and what to do with it!

4 Relax al dente
The no-tension mouth!

5 Gooood Vibrations
Sounds that sizzle!

6 Diction Delicacies
Spit those words out!

7 Mic du jour
What do I do with this metal ice cream cone anyway?

8 Healthy & Happy!

You sing better if you feel great!

9 Serving Suggestions
Sharing your song with others

10 Grateful Hearts
Giving thanks and praise!
Index
About the Author
Chapter One
 Recipe for a servants heart!
Singing! What an incredible gift from God! How do we know? There are over eight
hundred and thirty-nine entries in Gods word referring to music. We also know because
when we sing, we feel His presence.
The Bible tells us that In Old Testament days, not only was King David great with a
sling shot, he was a wonderful musician. He recognized the importance of music in
worship and he appointed specific people to minister before God in the temple with
instruments and singing. (1 Chronicles 6:31,32) Levitical priests, the official temple
musicians, not only studied the Law of Moses but practiced their musical skills. How
wonderful it would be to step back in time and be a part of a temple worship service!
When I became a brand new Christian, I had an entirely renewed excitement and
purpose for singing. I wanted to sing not just to entertain, not just for peoples approval,
but because I had the desire to worship God! With no knowledge of Gods word however,
I really didnt know much about the One I wanted to sing about. I could certainly feel the
presence of His Holy Spirit inside of me. I knew that I was a new creation and that I
belonged to Him but I wanted to know more! After reading and contemplating the
scriptures, I believe with my whole heart that the Bible is Gods true and living word. The
Bible has given me hope, a purpose, and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11) Ive embraced it as the
road map for my life.

Think of music as a refreshing breeze. The gospel, like a kite, has a wonderful place to
soar on beautiful musical sounds. Those who may not be listening to the spoken word of
God, may pay attention when the truth resounds with music. Ive had the privilege of
singing the gospel in places where the spoken word would have been rejected or even
prohibited. Ive seen first hand how the Lord uses music to soften hardened hearts and
break down barriers!
In Christian music, its not the worlds praise that we depend on to continue singing.
(Read Romans 12) Our confidence, motivation, and joy comes from the throne of God.
Unconditional approval has already been bestowed on each one of us through Jesus
Christs terrible sacrifice on the cross. Through Him, we are free from the bondage of sin
and free to proclaim His glory. As you listen to His still small voice, hear Him say,
Youre My child. I love you and want you to use your heart and voice to bring others
closer to Me.
Becoming a music star in the worlds eyes may never happen but when we belong to
Christ and follow Him, we will become a jewel in His glorious crown.
 Is that your hearts desire? Do you want to please and serve God by singing for Him?
(Hebrews 11:5) If your answer is yes, then He will give you His strength and His power to
share His message in front of others.
Talk to the Lord daily in prayer, study Gods word, and commit to keeping a healthy
lifestyle. Oh yes, and PRACTICE! Then, He can use you!
When we allow God the privilege of shaping our lives
we discover new depths of purpose and meaning.
What a joyful thought to realize you are
a chosen vessel for Godperfectly suited for his use.
Joni Eareckson Tada

Food for Thought

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105

It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on

every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer

Matthew 21:22

If I speak in tongues of men and angels,

and have not love, I am a resounding gong
and a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1
Chapter Two
 How does your song look on the outside?
Before we even get started with recipes for producing a pleasing tone, I want to make
sure that (1) you are holding your musical instrument, your body, in the best possible
position and (2) you are outwardly convincing us that you mean what you sing!
God honoring body language is SO important! The congregation isnt aware of all of
the hard work and tears that go into developing your skill and they shouldnt. If you
appear relaxed and confident, people will be able to focus on the message and then be
drawn into the presence of the Lord!
Just about every time I see a choir minister, I notice a few smilers, some pleasant
faces, some blank faces, and then there are the ones who are intensely
CONCENTRATING with knitted eyebrows and all. You should be concentrating on the
inside but please dont let everyone else know about it. Really, if the congregation doesnt
think that youre enjoying yourself, they wont enjoy what youre doing either. They may
be more concerned about you and start praying for your healing!
Think about being a good communicator. Could any of the following examples get in
the way of your message?
Hiding behind your music: Please dont! The best way to hold a music folder is just
below your chin. Your face can be seen, you can project your voice, you can scan
your music, and you can keep your eyes on the director! That will make your director
so happy!
The statue that may break at any moment:
So what if youre petrified? Most singers get petrified at least once or twice or fifty
times. It really gets much easier after the first thousand times. (Just wanted to
encourage you!) Anyway, our job is not to show it. Learn to cover-up the
butterflies inside. But youre saying to me, I feel awkward smiling. Well, my
answer to that is, Id rather feel awkward, than look awkward! If I want to
influence others to depend on Gods strength and power, I need to depend on Him
too! Pray, as I do, for boldness and confidence in witnessing.

Movin to the music; hips and all:

Fine if its the upper body; hands, arms, and face. Gyrating hips will probably take
attention away from the gospel message youre trying to communicate.
 Pwactice Makes Poifect!


Here are some great recipes
for using positive body
language.
Great posture: Bend over at the waist and hang like a rag doll. Slowly rise up. After
standing up, scrunch your shoulders all the way up to your ears without bending your
head forward. After scrunching for a second or two, relax and drop your shoulders. If
your shoulders are in line with your ears, congratulations! You are holding your
musical instrument in the proper position and you look great too!
Another posture check: Stand with your back and head against a wall. Bend your
knees slightly and press the small of your back flat against the wall or as close as you
can get. Press your shoulders and arms against the wall as well. By straightening or
bending your knees a little, you can adjust the fit to get the flattest back possible.
Once you are comfortable, push off with your elbows and start walking. Keep that
same body alignment that you had against the wall. It works!
Stretching up the spine: While standing, pretend that you have an imaginary string
attached to the top of your head and its tied to a pulley straight above you. Imagine
that the string is pulled just tight enough for your heels to barely touch the floor. Now
walk!

Standing comfortably on the platform or choral risers: Stand with your feet
positioned as if standing on the face of an analog clock. Stand with your right foot
facing forward toward 12 oclock. With your left heel at a comfortable length behind,
point your left toe to 10 oclock. Or reverse. Put your left foot facing forward toward
12 oclock and your right foot comfortably behind facing toward 2 oclock. This will
angle your body slightly, will give you great balance, and you will look much more
comfortable than if you are standing with parallel feet.
 Walking comfortably and using eye contact: If youre singing a solo and youre

not confined to one spot, use the full space of the platform during your song. You will
have closer proximity and better eye contact with the entire congregation. When
moving on the platform, lead with your left foot if youre going left and lead with
your right foot if youre moving to the right. When moving farther back on the
platform to get a better view of everyone or to belt out a high note, walk backwards.
Turning your back on the congregation will distract them from the message and looks
rather rude. Walk straight ahead to the edge of the platform to get the best eye contact
with the front rows. Using your entire space will help be an effective communicator.
Knees: Always, always keep your knees flexed for balance. Locked knees actually
cut off a portion of blood to the brain. Please dont pass out as one of my high school
choir members did from locking her knees during a performance!
Hands: (What to do with those things hanging on the end of your arms?)
Relax the fingers by vigorously shaking your hands before you go out on the
platform.

If youre not on yet, but are waiting on the side where others can see you, stand at the 10
oclock or 2 oclock position, hold your hands behind your back, and squeeze one of your
thumbs with the other hand. Its a great tension reliever and youll look wonderful and
relaxed from the front.
When walking on the platform, brush the insides of your wrists back and forth along the
sides of your legs with fingers relaxed.
If youre really nervous when standing in front, push the insides of your wrists against the
sides of your legs to put them somewhere. Make sure that your fingers are relaxed and
dangling. (I once had a voice student who was so nervous, that she actually raised the hem
of her dress about three inches during her solo by digging her fingers into the sides of her
skirt.)
Avoid clasping your hands in front of your body. This is known as the fig leaf position.
This stance can give the impression that you are shy and it will affect your good posture
by pulling your shoulders forward into a rounded position.
In front of a mirror, practice using graceful hand positions that support your message. As
Shakespeare said, Dont saw the air with your hand thus, but use it gently. The more
your hands are released from the sides of your body, the more relaxed youll look.
Your Face: The face and eyes say it first before anything comes out of your mouth!
No matter how sincere your voice may sound, your face and eyes must reflect the
message for believability. So, sit or stand in front of a large mirror. Close your
eyes, relax, and think about the message of the song. Now open your eyes. Let your
 face say, Welcome to my song, welcome to my message, welcome to my Lord!
With up tempo songs, have a relaxed smile with your teeth showing. If the song is
reflective, a pleasant sincere expression will support your message. Practice, practice,
practice in front of a mirror. Remember, what you see is what you get!

Entrances and exits: Your time to minister begins the moment you are introduced
and ends when you exit the platform. Please remember that even though the song
hasnt started, you are not invisible. Entering the platform with great posture and a
pleasant confident facial expression, will help prepare the people to hear your
message in song. They will be interested! Even when the song is over, ministry isnt
over yet. Keep eye contact with the congregation as much as possible during your
exit. Graciously acknowledge their applause and praise offering to the Lord for His
work through you. If the exit is on the side of the platform: move backwards or
sideways keeping eye contact with congregation until you are almost there. Turn your
back to them at the very end as you walk off.
Solos in-person vs. television: There is a big difference in body language from being
in-person on a platform to being in front of a television camera lens. On a platform,
the congregation is viewing you from a distance. Your arm gestures should be rather
large without being overly flamboyant and you should freely move over the space of
the platform. In contrast, the scope of the camera lens is narrow and close. Facial
expressions need not be exaggerated. Head, arms, and body have to stay within a
close space whether youre seated or standing on a marked spot. Practice switching
back and forth from small gestures for a TV camera lens to larger gestures for a
congregation.

Just a note about distractions:

They happen! Expect them. Whether you step out of your shoe, someone goes into a
coughing spell, the plants fall over, or the sound system picks up calls from the nearby fire
station, keep your message going. If the accompaniment track fails, finish the song
without. Do it a capella. Be prepared for the unexpected and be flexable.
Just a note about emotions:
You must keep your composure to be able to get through the song. If you fall apart,
whether its laughing or crying, then so will your message. The Lord has given me the
strength to sing for many funerals including my own dads so I do understand. Ive learned
that when its time to minister, I must be strong for the Lord and somewhat detach myself
from the emotions of the congregation. I know that I can release my emotions sometime
later. Believe me, after a sensitive or powerful song, I do!

Start right away to mix the principles of this chapter into your life. Apply them
wherever you go showing your confidence that the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ lives in
you!

Food for Thought

The Lord is my light and my salvation-

whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life-
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven
Matthew 5:14-16
Chapter Three
 How to get air and what to do with it!
Air! You just cant get enough of the stuff if you want to sing. Its like gas to a car. If
you have plenty, you can go a long way. When you run out, you sputter and stall.
My personal experiences of running out of air probably number like the stars but the
specific one that sticks in my mind is the time when I was a freshman in junior college. I
decided to apply for a singing scholarship. Of course, I had to perform a solo, an Italian
aria, in front of a panel of judges. My heart was pounding in my throat and I crammed my
knees together because they were NOT keeping good time with the aria that I was trying
to squawk out. My nerves definitely got the best of me and I couldnt get a deep enough
breath of air to put my head underwater for three seconds! I remember giving my all on
the last note but not a sound came out of my widely opened mouth. As I looked helplessly
into the judges faces, they wrote down their comments about me. Maybe you think that I
could have won because they felt sorry for me or thought that my ending was unique and
creative, but I didnt.
That day, I was painfully reminded that a deep breath of air is necessary for making it
through an entire phrase and for staying on pitch. Just as a balloon descends when it loses
air, so does your tone. With less air, a tire goes flat and so do you!

Think of notes as little toy boats floating in the bathtub. (Youve got to be kidding!)
What happens when the plug is pulled? Simple, the notes have nothing to float on and they
go down the drain. If youre doing a big song or singing high notes and you run out of air,
the results are kind of like Titanic! Youre sunk!

Just a note about physiology:

When I was a voice major in college, physiology of the voice was one of my required
classes. In simpler terms, I had to learn how my body works when I sing. Talk about being
overloaded with information! I was thinking about how everything was working while
trying to practice classical art songs in French and German. Frustration and confusion ran
an all-time high for me in those days. Needless to say, I was not singing very well. I
remember that when I had finished squawking out an aria at one of my recitals, about
three people clapped but that was because I was finished!
Since this is a cookbook, youre going to get a boiled down explanation of what
happens in your body while you are singing. Understanding whats happening can be
helpful while youre learning, but once you get it, forget it! Singing should be a joyful
experience, not like going through surgery! If youre really fascinated by the physical
aspects of vocal production, wait until later to check it out on the internet.
Heres the scoop on breathing:
Have you heard the phrase, In goes the good air and out goes the bad air? You have a
large muscle, called the diaphragm, located lengthwise underneath your lungs and just
below your rib cage. It moves down and up causing your lungs to fill up and empty out.
Most of the time, this muscle works on its own. However, if youre going to be a pearl
diver, marathon runner, trumpet player, flutist, singer, whistler, or develop any other skill
that requires more air than usual, you really have to work that muscle and make it strong!

Just a note about hyperventilating:

If you get light-headed or the room starts to spin a little while doing the following
exercises, stop for a minute and rest before starting again. This experience is called
hyperventilating. Wheee! You are taking in too much oxygen and its likely to happen if
youre not used to deeeeeeep breathing. Its OK, though. Youre normal! I used to lean on
the piano a lot when I started doing these.

Pwactice Makes Poifect!

Here are a variety of recipes for:

getting air
supporting your air
managing your air
As a rule, for singing, take your air in and out through your mouth. You can get a lot
more through your mouth than through the narrow passages of your nose. Any sinus
congestion may interfere with good air flow as well. Remember that the more sound
you make while inhaling, the less air youll get. Youll get the least amount of air
 with an audible gasp. Breathe quietly.
Lie down with your back on the floor, legs parallel, and arms to your sides. Now
relax. Really relax! As the tension goes out of your body, your stomach will
continually rise higher and then fall, rise and fall, etc. Ask yourself, How does this
feel? It should feel like your lungs are filling up and your stomach is pooching out,
then they collapse. When you think you feel this, slowly stand up to your best posture
and deep breath again. Do you get the SAME feeling of your lungs filling up and
your stomach pooching out while standing? If youve lost it, lie back down and try
again.

Stand with your best posture and take a large slow quiet breath of air through your
mouth. Now that your lungs are full, think about the feeling in your expanded ribs.
Feel the tightness and pressure at the bottom of your ribcage. Then, silently count to
ten keeping that position of expansion. Dont let that big muscle, the diaphragm,
collapse! After counting, relax (collapse) and exhale through your mouth. This is the
way your body needs to feel every time you sing. Its not necessary to have a lot of
tension in your mid-section when singing in a lower register because the notes wont
require as much air and support. For soft intense phrasing, loud dynamic passages,
and any high notes, ya gotta really fill up with air and push down!

To check your deep breathing while standing, put your hands backward on your rib
cage with your thumbs facing forward and fingers toward your spine. Use your best
posture and slowly take a deep breath of air. Your hands should feel your back ribs
expand. Hold that expansion for ten seconds, then exhale.
With good posture, your chest will already be lifted. Make sure that your shoulders
and chest dont rise and fall with your breathing since doing so will inhibit your air.
When standing, your best indicator for deep breathing is your belly button. Is it really
pooching out and then caving back in? For awhile, your stomach and lower body will
feel huge breathing like this; kind of like a blow up toy. Dont worry, because it
doesnt look that way to others. Only you will know.
 For breath support, pretend that there are two ropes connected to the floor; one on

each side of you. Squat down to touch the floor and with both hands at the sides of
your body, take hold your imaginary ropes. Stand up using your best posture and pull
on those ropes. Feel the tension in your mid-section; the core of your body. With
practice, youll become comfortable with that feeling and your singing will greatly
improve.
To strengthen the diaphragm, lie on your back and place a medium size book on your
abdomen. Breathe in to push the book up and exhale out to let the book down.
Repeat.
Dont forget sit-ups and push-ups to build your abdominal and upper body strength!

Pant like a dog! You dont take in as much air since youre shallow, high chest
breathing but doing this will exercise and strengthen your diaphragm. More
hyperventilating! Hot dog!
For air management, take a deep breath of air and rapidly say the alphabet or count
numbers for as long as you can on one breath.
Take a deep breath of air and hold your index finger in front of your lips. Form your
mouth as if youre going to whistle and blow a steady stream of air on your finger for
as long as your can.
Hold a lighted candle in your hand. Take a deep breath of air and blow a steady
stream of air on the flame making it flicker without blowing it out. Do this for as long
as you can.

Hug a tree. Pretend that there is a large tree trunk in front of you. Position your arms
around that imaginary tree trunk and give a big squeeze! Real trees work too. I love
the smell of Sugar Pines!
To develop a supported tone: Say, Heh down deep in your gut like a football
player! Repeat several times.
Now that I have the ability to take in a lot of air and control it, I really love to sing. Its
fun to get on a note and just stay there for awhile without turning blue and falling on the
floor. With my strong diaphragm, I have built-in time and volume controls that I can use
without compromising the quality of my tone. The only tension that we singers should feel
in our bodies is in our abdominal region. Thats where to focus all of our physical energy.

1 cup of friendly words

2 heaping cups of understanding
4 heaping teaspoons of time and patience
a pinch of warm personality
a dash of humor
Instructions for mixing:
Measure words carefully.
Add heaping cups of understanding.
Use generous amounts of time and patience.
Cook on the front burner.
Keep temperature lowdo not boil.
Add dash of humor &
a pinch of warm personality.

Season to taste with Spice of Life.
Serve in individual molds.
Author unknown

Food for Thought

-the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the
ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,
and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord
Psalm 150:6
Chapter Four
 The no-tension mouth!
Just as tension in your body is important for breathing, the opposite is true for your
mouth. The idea of relaxing my mouth was hard for me because Im such a talker. When
you rattle off words, the tongue, teeth, and jaw are articulating all kinds of short clipped
sounds made in the vocal cords. Talking doesnt take much air and its usually TENSION
CITY in there!
Heres a line that Ive said a thousand times to my voice students:

Singing is not like speaking or yelling!

You have my permission to write this one on your sleeve or the palm of your hand, with
indelible ink, because youre going to have to think about this a lot!

Relaxation makes the difference!

Tension in the mouth and tightness in the throat affect singing in several ways.
Inexperienced singers usually have a tremendous amount of tension in their mouth
because its a way to squeeze out the sound and over-compensate for not taking in enough
air.
Uncontrolled tension is also a result of nervousness and the lack of understanding that
singing is not the same as speaking or yelling. Out-of-control tension is physically
ncomfortable, it can make you hoarse, and its not very much fun. The voice quality in
these cases is inconsistent, the tone is usually flat, and its not very pleasant to hear. Im an
expert on this subject. Ive been there!
Singing with extreme tension, over an extended period of time, can result in the
development of little growths on the vocal cords called nodes. Sometimes singers will use
a numbing throat spray and ignore the situation. The cure for nodes, depending on the
severity, is to be quiet for about six months!
In contrast, controlled tension in the mouth is planned and practiced. Its useful for
enhancing specific vocal styles and for making songs more interesting to the listener.
Controlled tension can be used safely on a limited basis when the singer knows exactly
what he or she is doing. Its used like seasoning to a dish; a little here and a little there
throughout the song. Certain vocal inflections become a singers trademark and it takes
hard work and experience to develop a distinctive sound. Its one of the tools that singers
can use to express themselves in their music. Do keep in mind that controlled tension is
for seasoning only. Too much salt and pepper spoils the dish!
 For the rest of this chapter, were going to concentrate on getting rid of all the tension in
your mouth and throat. Work on your seasoning as you gain more experience.

Heres a real different approach. Imagine that your tongue, teeth, and jaw are a birdcage
door and the birds inside are the notes youre singing. Youre mouth becomes really tense
and the door barely ajar. Those poor wittle birdies wont get out no matter how hard you
push down on your diaphragm. You might as well stuff tissue paper in your mouth or use a
trumpet mute because theyre getting stuck in thereJust fluttering around in your
windpipe! But if you relax your tongue, teeth, and jaw and open wide, those notes can
SOAR. What a great feeling!

If that didnt make any sense, try this one. Remember the time when the doctor checked
your tonsils and that little punching bag hanging down from the top of your throat? The
doc placed a wide popsicle stick on your tongue and said, Say ahhh. If he placed the
stick far enough back, you felt like gagging, right? Right! Im really sorry to have to tell
you this, but when you sing, your jaw and tongue are down and your throat is opened wide
just like that. Honest! This is no gag!

Heres the scoop on vocal cords:

Located right behind your Adams Apple are two parallel fleshy strands called vocal
cords. Those strands are placed horizontally front to back across your windpipe called a
trachea. When youre just breathing, the air rushes back and forth though them. When you
want to talk, your brain tells them to vibrate together and make sounds as you exhale air.
When singing, your brain responds as you think the pitch. It instantly shapes those cords
to produce exactly that pitchall in a micro-milli-second! Just another wonder in Gods
awesome creation!
Relaxation is a challenge for all of us, isnt it? We encounter all kinds of stressful
demands in todays world. School, bills, family, job, and even trying to have fun can cause
stress. Dont you just love delays at the airport when youre trying to go on vacation? Im
getting stressed just writing about this!
In response to all of the demands, weve learned to tighten our facial muscles and
clench our teeth. Our faces are so well educated that those negative expressions have
become habitshabits that we need to think through and undo to sing well.

Youve heard a babies cry! Have you noticed that they dont seem to have any trouble
hitting high notes or getting a lot of sound out? They have no tight mouth to get in their
way. They just open wide and let er rip!
Of course, everything does have its down side. I do remember singing for a concert and
dropping my jaw as usual for the high note. It must have looked inviting in there because a
fly decided to zoom in! With nowhere to go, he buzzed around in the back of my throat for
awhile and then flew out.
And speaking of insects, I thought Id throw in this tangent. I was singing for a Sunday
morning worship service and had just finished the last note of a very sensitive and
meditative ballad. My eyes were closed and the congregation gave a very nice mmmm
at the end. Suddenly, I felt a big WHACK on my rear! I looked to my left and I saw a
deacon backing off with a rolled church bulletin in hand. I turned to the congregation who
sat motionless with mouths dropped and then turned back to the deacon. He explained,
while still backing off, that he wanted to protect me from that bee. Responding in a timid
voice, I said, Oh, thank you..I think. The congregation slightly tittered.
Turning back to them, I proclaimed with a loud voice, All I can say is..I BEE-LIEVE!
The entire church, except for the swatter and his wife, broke into uproarious laughter that
lasted for several minutes. I, the swattee, sold a lot of tapes that morning.

Thats enough of my insect stories. The more often you open your mouth, the better
chance youll have of something flying in too!
By-the-way, in the next chapter, youll have a chance to experience that buzzy feeling
for yourself as you practice focusing the tone in the front of your face. But, for now.

 Pwactice Makes Poifect!


Here are some simple recipes
for relaxing your throat and mouth:

Gently place your index and middle finger on your Adams apple. Now yawn. Do
you feel your Adams apple go way down. This is an excellent indicator that your
mouth is relaxed and open. Your vocal cords are where they should be in their lowest
natural position; the best position for singing. You can keep your fingers there while
practicing a song to make sure it staying down.
Pretend that the dentist has just given you a shot of Novocain. Before it takes affect
you are able to say, Good afternoon, Dr. Harris. After taking effect, you speak like
this, Goo afthanoo, Dahtah Hawith while trying not to bite him as he puts his
hands in. All of the consonants are gone. Your tongue feels like a blob thats just
laying there and your jaw feels like it weighs a ton. Twy to tawk wike thith. As
ridiculous as it may seem, if you can do this, youll be able to produce beautiful tones
when you sing. Weally!
Imagine that your chin has a metal hook on the end of it with a bowling ball attached.
Let go! Down goes the ball and down goes your jaw! It feels so heavy and just hangs
there.
Put your fingers on each side of your face and find the hinges of your jaw located
slightly down in front of your ears. Gently massage your jaw hinges in a circular
motion to relieve the tension. .
Use a warm wash cloth or heating pad on the side of your face to help relax tense,
tired muscles.

Relax. Stretch and sigh, saying, Ahhhh! When I first took voice lessons, these
concepts were all news to me. I had no clue that Id be singing with a Novocain
mouth or that home base for the tip of my tongue would be the inner side of my
center lower tooth. Crazy as it may seem, thats what trained singers do!
Rest the voice.
No talking is the best cure for a sore irritated throat.
Drop a mentholyptus cough drop into a cup of hot water or tea and let it melt. Sip as needed during a concert.
Stir a teaspoon of honey into a cup of warm tea and sip.
Slowly sip a teaspoonful of plain honey.
Gargle with warm salt water every few hours as needed.
Keep your throat wrapped with a scarf in cold weather.
Cover your nose and mouth when exposed to cold & damp air.
If you absolutely have to sing on a very raspy throat, use an over- the-counter numbing throat spray or a
numbing throat lozenge. Try to select songs that are only in your lower register. After singing, completely rest
the voice for at least a week.
Beware of these throat irritations before singing:
Water with lemon juice or vinegar is great for clearing congestion but is also very drying and can irritate.
Mouthwashes can be irritating because of the alcohol content.
Never, never drink iced beverages before singing! The icy cold freezes up your throat muscles! Stick to warm or
room temperature.
Milk and milk products cause congestion. Stay away.

Find many more ideas in Chapter Eight; Healthy & Happy!

Food for Thought

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of

his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to
bless all the work of your hands.
Deuteronomy 28:12

The Lord blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth,

words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make
known the mystery of the gospel
Ephesians 6:19
Chapter Five
 Sounds that sizzle!
Have you ever noticed an electric guitar? Nice looking instrument dont you think?
What a surprise for the novice player when he or she strums or plucks the strings without
plugging it in and gets a tiny little sound. I wonder how many music stores have had
people return their new guitars with the statement, This guitar wont plug into my wall!
They discover that the guitar has phone jacks on both ends of the attached electrical cord.
One jack plugs into the receptacle on the guitar and the other.hmmmm, well, there must
be something missing!

The missing link is the amplifier; the speaker. Just like the guitar, we also need a
speaker to amplify the small sound were producing through our strings; our vocal cords.
Great for us, God gave us built-in amps!

Unlike the guitar which needs a separate case, all the parts for our voice, amplifiers and
all, come complete in one case; our body. Its always available but has been known to go
on the blink during the cold and flu season.

Heres the scoop on sinus cavities: Also known as resonating cavities, they are long
narrow horizontal spaces located underneath the skin on each side of the nose, under each
eye, and above each eyebrow. If you recall seeing any sinus medicine commercials on TV,
you saw action graphics over somebodys face showing wonderful vapors flowing through
those cavities to open them up. Anyway, if you remember seeing those commercials or
not, you get your own demonstration every time your nose gets stuffy.
Focusing the tone into those resonating cavities doesnt particularly come naturally.
What may seem natural is singing the tone in the back of the throat. It takes less effort and
concentration to do so. Plus, you hear your wonderful voice spinning around in your head
and you say to yourself, Thats me, I can hear me, and I like what I hear. The only
problem is that you may be the only one who really does like it. The tone produced in the
back of the throat is often referred to as a covered or dark tone. It just doesnt sound that
great. If you want to sound great to others, dont sing there!
 When you focus the tone in the front of your face, your resonating cavities will ring like
bells. The sound will vibrate giving a much richer tone quality and the tone will be
projected beyond your face for others to hear.
Ill be honest, when you start singing this way, you may be uncomfortable and a bit
frustrated for a week or two. Its like going to the salon for a makeover when youve had
the same hairstyle for years. Be ready for a change. Your voice will sound much thinner to
you but much larger and much better to others. Trust me on this.

Pwactice Makes Poifect!

Here are some simple recipes
for focusing the tone in the
front of the face:
Say quack. Dont worry about deep breathing. Just say a sharp quack focusing
the word right into that narrow nasally groove. Really honk it out! This one helped
me the most so really try to get the feeling! No, Im not a quack!

Say a sharp Nnnya-uh-uh like a villain in a melodrama. Say it very nasty and very
focused right in the front of the face.

Pretend that you have a clothespin on your nose and say a sharp rrrats right into the
clothespin.
Say Beep Beep like The Road Runner, with a very nasal sound.
Practice saying the singers vowels: ah, eh, oh, oo, ee Use a Novocain mouth and
make those single sounds in the front of your face rather than down in your mouth.
When many of my students tried these at first, they said the words but didnt get the
focused tone that I was asking for. If you dont feel a buzz or some kind of vibration in the
front of your face, youre probably just saying the words down in your mouth and they
will just sound normal to you. There isnt anything normal about this. This is singing so
always remember:

Singing is not like speaking or yelling!

Singing is an athletic type activity because it demands that you use a lot of energy
throughout your body. Warming up the voice can be compared to an athlete warming up.
A ballerina warms up at the practice barre and a singer does exercises called vocalizes. A
singers muscles in the mouth, throat, diaphragm, and entire body need to be stretched and
warmed before real demands are placed on them. Warm-ups are not song rehearsals but
instead, a time to relax before singing in front of others. I like to avoid warm-ups with a
lot of words. They can actually create more tension and who needs that? A one-note
warm-up is a good place to begin. Then, vocalize (sing) down to your lowest note. From
there, vocalize up to your highest note. The muscles will relax & stretch.

Pwactice Makes Poifect!

Here are some simple recipes
for warming up the voice:

Sigh! Dont even deep breathe. Just relax, drop your jaw, and say a sliding ah in a
comfortable range. No pressure.
Find a comfortable pitch to sing on. Using good posture, take a deep breath of air and
relax the tongue, teeth, and jaw. Focus the tone in the front of the face and sing: mee,
meh, mah, moh,

Make sure to push down on your diaphragm, use a Novocain mouth, and sing in the
quack position. That will keep you on pitch. Really hum into those m sounds
before opening wide for the vowels.
Find a comfortable pitch. Prepare to sing as always; posture, breeeathe, Novocain
mouth, and quack. Slowly sing zee-mmmah. Feel the vibrations in your face on
each side of your nose. Try this on different pitches. The higher the pitch, the more
breath support required.
Remember that I said it might sound different to you? If youre focusing the tone
properly, your singing may sound much thinner to you than youre used to hearing. If so,
try this: put your hands in front of your ears, palms back and the sides of your hands
against your face, while singing. This will help you to hear what others are hearing.
When rehearsing in choir, you can hear yourself in relation to all the other voices.
Gently use your index finger to press the fleshy tab in front of the opening to one ear. This
will plug that ear and youll be able to hear yourself. Try not to be too obvious on this.
Your director may think that you cant stand the song!

Just a note about musicianship:

The five components of music are pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, and expression. You
can learn more about these basics in a music appreciation class or by reading a beginners
book on music theory. Learn about scales and written music by singing in a choir.

Taking piano or guitar lessons is an excellent way to learn about the different parts of
music and its always a plus if you can accompany yourself when you sing. Playing other
band instruments can be an additional help in developing your ability as a musician. Learn
as much as you can but do keep in mind that when youre a singer, the way you sound and
communicate is really the bottom line.

Just a note about singing with a piano:

Its great to be able to use a piano to get a starting pitch, to play a melody line so we can
hear how the song goes, and to plunk out scales to follow. Plunk is a key word here
because thats exactly what a piano does. Inside is a long row of hammers that hit the
strings for each key played giving the instrument a percussive quality. Be aware that as
you are singing simultaneously with the tones on a piano, you can start to mimic the sound
of the piano. We dont sound like pianos nor should we. Dont get me wrong. I love
pianos! Just try not to be influenced by that sound as you sing. Remember that a piano is
man made and mechanical. Each human voice has a precious and unique quality created
only by the Lord.

Pwactice Makes Poifect!

Here are some simple recipes
for developing your vocal
range and flexibility:
 Scales are a series of connected pitches and every instrumentalist and singer practices
them. Ask someone to play major scales for you on an instrument so that you can
hear how they sound. Start singing mah on your comfortable pitch, slowly sing up
two notes on a major scale, and come back down to your starting note. Start a half
step higher and do it again. Continue doing three tone scales, a half step higher each
time, for as high as you can comfortably go. Notice that in order to sing in your
higher register without tightening the throat, more air and support are required. When
youre comfortable doing three tone scales, add two more notes to the top of your
scale making a five tone scale. Start low and continue going up a half step at a time.
For even more flexibility, try doing a nine-tone major scale up and down starting
from a low note. Sing eight tones up and then eight tones back down.

Sing mee, meh, mah, moh, moo on a low note. Take a deeper breath of air and sing
the same sequence an octave higher; the same note eight tones higher. Go up a half
step and repeat the exercise. No tight throats allowed!
Like scales, singing arpeggios are great for warmups. I sing them on a mah because
its the most open relaxed sound to make. Isnt babys first word usually Mama?
Well, its not arpeggio. Anyway, play Middle C on the piano. Then play the E above
that, the G above the E, and then play the next C. Youve got a broken major chord
called an arpeggio. Try singing up: Middle C, E, G, C, then down: G, E, Middle C.
Sing this up and down about four times in one breath on mah. When you remember
the sound of this pattern in your head, try singing the same pattern up a half step and
so on.

SIRENS! Your dog and the neighbor dogs will love this one! Whether sitting or
standing, make sure that your back is straight. Take a huge breath of air, have a zero
tension mouth, and focus the tone in the quack position. Start singing mmah on
the lowest pitch you can sing sliding steadily up to the highest note you can sing.
Then without taking a breath, slide back down to the lowest note. Its like playing a
glissando, all of the notes, on a piano in between your low note and high note except
you sound like a siren and a piano doesnt. The only individual pitches that can be
distinguished are your lowest and highest notes. Put your hand gently on your
Adams apple to make sure that it doesnt start going up when your pitch does. If it
does, your throat is tensing up and youre running out of air. You must really open the
 back of the throat like the Say Ahhhh tongue depressor exercise in Chapter Four.
As you get better, youll be able to go up and down a few times on one breath. You
might skip a few pitches going up because its harder to ascend, go up, then to
descend, come down. Again, you have to have a ton of air, a very relaxed mouth by
putting your vocal cords in their lowest natural position, and focus the tone in the
front of the face. Keep doing these and your voice will definitely become more
flexible.

I used to do sirens while driving down a ten-mile long boulevard to my college voice
class. On warm days, my windows would be down and Id be wailing. The sirens were at
45 mph but when I stopped at a traffic light, Id often forget to stop my sirens too. It was a
real attention getter to say the least. I wonder if anyone tried to call an ambulance to come
and get me! The thing about sirens is that they really do work.

Just a note about finding a place to practice:

The object is to project your voice when rehearsing so youre going to be pouring on
some sound! Singing in the shower is one way. When youre seriously working on a song
though, college music departments have practice rooms lined with acoustical tiles to help
muffle the sound. If you cant get to one of ^3 those, improvise at home. I became known
as the crazy opera singer upstairs when I lived in an apartment complex. So, to muffle the
sound, I would close all windows and drapes, turn on the bathroom fan, switch on the TV
in the other room, open my bedroom closet door, and sing to all the clothes. My reputation
with the neighbors did improve.

When my husbands driving me to a ministry engagement, I do a full warm up in the car

for about ten minutes before arriving at the concert location. Sitting up straight, I do
everything the same and tightly cup both hands over the front of my mouth. I get the full-
blown warm up and he only has to listen to about 20% of it.
Be creative. If you cant pour it on in rehearsal, youll never do it in a performance.
By now, youre probably feeling really boggled by all of the recipes Ive presented in
the past five chapters. Whew! Wouldnt it just be better if music prep was microwavable?
Just put all your rehearsals in a covered dish and nuke them for ten minutes! That would
be easy-as-pie practicing but not Gods plan for excellence.

Did you know that God is always on time and is never late? (2 Peter 3:9) In fact, His
timing is perfect! Microwavable fast servings of ministry are a start but I believe the Lord
really wants slow, gourmet offerings of our very best. It takes much patience and
discipline on our part but God will do the rest. Plan to daily talk with God through prayer
and read His holy word. Today, practice communicating Gods love to others with a smile.
Learn how it feels to take a deep breath of air, relax the mouth, and focus the tone. Are
you willing to let all of these ingredients simmer for awhile? Take your time. The results
will be indescribably delicious!

Food for Thought

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Taste and see that the Lord is good,

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8

In all ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6
Chapter Six
 Gourmet recipes for singing!
The big finale for a voice major in college is the Senior Recital. I dont remember too
much about it now, I dont think I want to, but I do remember at the reception my
husbands grandmother made the remark, It was very nice but, if only I could have
gotten the words.
I only sang one song out of ten in English. So whats your excuse?
Having the listener get the words is a big deal if you have something to say. Dont
you agree that having them get the gospel is a good motivator?
It all works like this. First you learn to produce a great tone. When you can do that,
people want to hear your music. Just a reminder though, for instrumentalists that is good
enough. For singers, words go with the melody. If they cant understand your message,
youre better off singing la, la, la through the entire song. Sloppy Joe diction delivers
just part of the message leaving everyone sort of hanging for the rest of the story. Wont
you decide to be a singer who makes sure that the people who listen get your entire drift?

Remember that I said singing is not the same as speaking or yelling? If thats true,
singers must have to pronounce their words differently than when speaking. Another truth
for you now to ponder!
When taking classical voice lessons, the voice teacher first gives you songs in Italian,
the singers language. Italian has all open vowels and all of the words you sing sound
great on the music.
When youre a senior voice major, you finally get to sing in English. Unlike Italian,
English does not particularly sound pretty against the music. The English language has a
lot of tight sounds that tighten up your tongue, teeth, and jaw when you sing them. With a
tight mouth, the tone goes downhill. Because musical notes are held, words are extended
over a longer duration of time than in normal speech. Most singing time is spent from
vowel to vowel.
Heres the scoop on diphthongs:
(Not to be confused with chocolate covered beach walkers!) A diphthong is twotwo
two sounds in one! Remember, words that are sung occur over a longer duration of time
than in speech. A singer can definitely take advantage of those individual sounds.
Here are the vowels that contain two sounds:
For a long a sing eh-ee
For a long i sing ah-ee

When singing with the letter w, start the word with

an oo sound. A better tone is GUARANTEED!

Pwactice Makes Poifect!

Here are some great tools
for turning Sloppy Joe diction
into gourmet delights:
Find a comfortable tone. Use your best posture, take a deep breath of air, relax the
 tongue, teeth, and jaw, focus the tone in the front of the face, and sing the following
words. Slide the first sound into the second and third sounds. Look ma! Im eliding!

i sung ah-ee
you (also u) sung ee-oo
your sung ee-or
we sung oo-ee
what sung oo-ut
where sung oo-air
when sung oo-ehn
why sung oo-ah-ee
way sung oo-eh-ee
how sung hah-oo

Now, take time to feel the sounds of consonants as they spit out of your mouth. Say the
sound, not the letter name, and focus on how it feels.
 I hope that now you can understand why these sounds can not only be helpful but also
can be a hindrance when singing. The tight sounds must be clicked on and off quickly so
you can immediately return to your open Novocain mouth. Be aware that many of the hard
sounds will often make your tone unpleasant to the listener. Sing your consonants like
popcorn. Pop them on and off. Thats it!

Consider this example: Sing

And His Kingdom will have no end. Amen.
Without the ends of the words, you hear:
An Hiss Kinda wil ha no eh. Ameh.
Would you say that the message is a little fuzzy here? Lack of good diction in choirs, in
small groups, and in solos is very common. And the people listening just arent getting the
words! ! !

Back to Italian. Its a great language and people really prro-nown-suh their word-zuh!
They really over-emphasize compared to us lazy-lipped speakers of English.
Here is one of their main ingredients for gourmet singing!

The ends of the words are

just as important as the beginnings!

Go ahead and write this one on your other sleeve. Spitting out consonants at the end of
each word is not natural but its necessary. Without the f sound at the end the phrase I am
the life, it sounds like I am the lie. Can you see why good diction is so important?

I used to tell my choirs to go ahead and really SPIT the words out. I also said that Id be
happy to wear a raincoat if it was too much! Rarely did I tell them to back off. Over-
enunciating makes the difference between being understood and not!
Heres the scoop on eliding:
In singing, eliding is the art of attaching together the words in each phrase. When the
words are elided, all of the vowels and consonants can be heard. The end of the first word
slides onto the beginning of the next and so on throughout the phrase. Its actually pretty
neatkind of like a cheesy combination pizza with everything melted together! Though it
seems strange and complicated to you, the people who are listening can get the words
and get the message!

Recipes for eliding your words into a phrase that can be understood by the
listener:
Lets take that phrase again:
And His Kingdom will have no end. Amen.
Now elide it:
An-diz-kee-ngduh-mwi-la-vno eh-n-d.
Ah-meh-nn.
Dont give up! Sing this several times cramming all of those sounds together over the
tone. Remember to breathe!
Say these words:
Shout joyfully unto God
Now elide the words while singing them:
Shah-oo-t-jo-ee-fuh-lee-ah-ntoo-Gah-d
Say this phrase:
My Savior and Lord
Sing it like this:
Mah-ee seh-ee-vee-o-ra-nd-Lo-rd
Make sure that on passing tones, that words like savior are not pulsed. For example,
sing seh-vee-o-r, not seh-eh-vee-o-r. Keep the eh sound focused in the front of the face
without a break or pulse.
Say this phrase:
Son of God, Son of man
Be careful that youre not involuntarily pushing hs in front of vowels as in hall that I
am or Son-huv-God, Son-huv-man.
Now, in singers diction:
Suh-nuh-vgah-d-Suh-nuh-v-ma-nn
YOU CAN DO THIS!

On the list of consonants, an r gets the absolute worst rating. That letter really knows how
to wreck a nice sound!
Rrrrrrrrr!
When singing a vowel followed by an r, always hold the vowel out and sing it with a
kind of a Southern accent. For example, you say the word whether and sing oo-eh-
thuh-r Put the r on at the last second and cut the r sound in half. This rule holds true for
all words ending in r.
Try this example:
Jesus will reign forever and ever
Using one or more notes, sing the phrase phonetically:
Gee-zuh-swi-lreh-ee-nfo-eh-vuh-ra-ndeh-vuh-r

The letter s is another one to be aware of. That sound just goes on and on and on.like
a leak in an oxygen tank. Havent you heard the phrase, Let us spray!? In choirs, the
letter s often stands out too much. Do make an effort to cut the s sound in half. No leaky
songs allowed!
Practice saying and then singing this phrase:
Mercy, grace, and peace
Muh-rse greh-sa-nd-pees
There is a big difference is the s sound in peace and the z sound in the wordz, wize, and
disguize. (Look back at the list of consonants.) The z sound takes more thought and effort
so its commonly passed over for the hissy sounding s.
For another example, say:
Christ the Lord is risen. Alleluia.
Notice the z sound in risen and then sing:
Krah-ees-t-thuh-lo-r-di-zri-zeh-nn.
Ah-leh-loo-ee-ah
The counterpart to alleluia is hallelujah; hah-leh-lu-ee-ah with a long a or ha-leh-lu-ee-
ah with a short a.
If youre getting frustrated, try this version!

Try another phraze:

Glorify His name
Glo-ri-fah-ee Hi-zneh-mm
The sound i as in bit is commonly pronounced ee by many singers. Im not sure of the
reason. The i sound does take a bit more concentration than ee. So often I hear singers
sing the word sing like seeng. (Did you get that?) How many times have you heard
choirs and soloists sing gloreefy, justeefy, magneefy, sateesfy, and the all time favorite,
Amereeca?
Personally, I prefer to sing the language as its spoken. It doesnt sound so affected.
What do you think?
For another practice, say and then sing each line of The Lords Prayer. This wording is
from the traditionally sung version and the Bible verse is found in Matthew 6:9-13.
Remember to run all of these sounds together. As always, use good posture, deep breathe,
have a Novocain mouth, and focus the tone in the front of the face.
Our Father which art in heaven,
Ah-oo-rFah-thuhr oo-i-chah-rtin-heh-veh-nn
Hallowed be Thy name
Hah-lo-oo-eh-dbee-thah-ee neh-mm
Thy kingdom come
 Thah-ee kee-ngduhm kuh-mm
Thy will be done on earth
Thah-ee oo-i-lbee-duh-nah-nur-th
as it is in heaven.
a-zi-ti-zin heh-ven-nn
Give us this day our daily bread
Gi-vah-sthi-sdeh-ee ah-oo-rdeh-lee breh-d
and forgive us our debts
an-dfo-rgi-vuh-sah-oo-rdeh-ts
As we forgive our debtors
A-zoo-ee fo-rgi-vah-oo-rdeh-to-rz
And lead us not into temptation
An-dlee-duhs-naht in-too-teh-mteh-ee-shuh-nn
But deliver us from evil
Bah-tdi-li-vuh-ruh-sfrah-mee-vi-l
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power,
Fo-rThah-niz-thuh-kee-ngdahm an-dthuh pah-oo-r
and the glory forever. Amen.
an-dthuh-glo-ree fo-eh-vuh-r. Ah-meh-nn.
Do you notice how much your mouth has to work to round out all of these sounds?
Hang in there! It will become second nature with practice, practice, practice!
Why not ask a friend to listen to you while you sing some of these examples? Dont
show them the phonetic spelling until after. Does your listener get the words?
Keep in mind that these recipes for diction are intended for practical use even if they do
seem complicated at first. The sounds are meant to duplicate the sounds made in speech
over the duration of the music. Diction should definitely be adjusted to fit the style of the
song. Is it classical, Southern gospel, contemporary, jazz, country, or traditional? Words
can and should be affected to fit the type of music that you are doing. If you sing a
contemporary ballad using high church diction, youre just not singing in the style of the
song.
For learning songs in a foreign language, check your library for a book on the
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The sounds are fundamental and can be applied to
any language. Ask a person who speaks that language to help you with the correct
pronunciation. Discover your unique abilities and develop your own style. With practice
youll become versatile and flexible. Most importantly, people will understand the words
youre singing. Bon appetite!

Take a large quantity of cheerfulness.

Simmer continuously.
Put with it: a brimming basin full of kindness

Add: a full measure of thought for other people
Mix into these: a heaping tablespoon of sympathy
Flavor with essence of charity
Stir all the ingredients together well
Carefully strain off any grains selfishness

Serve with fruits of the Spirit
Author unknown

Food for Thought

the word is very near you,

it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
Deuteronomy 30:14

so is my word that goes out of my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

For the kingdom of God

does not consist in talk but in power.
1 Corinthians 4:20
Chapter Seven
 What do I do with
this metal ice cream cone anyway?

Remember the Presentation chapter; Chapter Two, how does your song look on the
outside? Though a headset microphone is barely visible, a handheld mic becomes an
important part of your look. So since youre now standing with terrific posture and
keeping your hands from clasping the sides of your body, stick a mic in one of them! I
wish someone had told me about all this.

There were no course offerings available on microphone techniques when I studied

voice in college. In fact, using a microphone was not acceptable. A voice major was
expected to project the voice naturally and fill the entire auditorium with magnificent
tones; you know; the two thousand pound canary sound that cracks eyeglasses and shatters
goblets!
Thats okay if youre going to stay with operatic arias all of your life. Classical music is
a refined art but no better or worse than other forms of musical expression. For the opera
singer, blasting out a tone to fill a huge room is the norm. It could be compared to
pounding nails into a hardwood board since that style of singing takes strength and LUNG
CAPACITY! The voice stays big and gets bigger. A whisper is virtually non-existent.
 Then, theres the other world! Someone handed me a black metal ice cream cone and I
sang through it. Using the same intensity that I had been training six years to develop, I
took a deep breath and PRO- JEC-TED my voice. Why werent people impressed with the
great ability that I had acquired? Why did the sound technician turn my mic down to
practically nothing? Because my singing was TOO LOUD! Operatic singing is appropriate
for opera. I simply wasnt aware that I could express myself with a variety of vocal styles.
Out of my numerous auditioning experiences, I remember trying out with a Christian
touring group for a solo part. The singer that did get the part had no training and sang with
a very small breathy sounding voice. Not fair! All my years of hard work and she got the
solo. Could it be that the director wasnt looking for an operatic voice to sing that mellow
Christian ballad? I was learning.
In popular music, a singers audio level can go from very loud to the tiniest breathy
sound. The microphone reinforces those sounds so the listener can hear all of your artistry.

MICROPHONE BASICS

Using a handheld mic:

If you dont have a real mic handy, practice with a large cooking spoon, hair brush,
maraca, or something with a handle.

Be aware that when singing with both hands on the mic, or mic stand, the shoulders can
become rounded affecting your best posture and ability to take in the most air. It also may
give the impression that you dont want to let go! Use both hands on the mic once in
awhile but most often hold the arms slightly up and away from the sides of the body as if
there was a rolled magazine stuck in each arm pit. This will really help your posture and
keep your chest lifted high for better breathing. Avoid tilting or bobbing forward from the
waist to express a point. Use your face, hands, and relaxed shoulders for that. With either
hand, hold the mic angled slightly down and out in front of the face and mouth to pick up
the sounds. Remember that the facial expression communicates the message first. There is
always the option to hold the mic angled upward in front of the face. Some people think
that youre just not cool if you dont do it that way. I think that seeing facial expressions is
actually more cool.
To avoid the statue look, practice changing hands with the mic only few times during a
song. If youre doing a solo, it can look so monotonous to the viewer to see the mic held in
same position throughout the entire selection. Also, avoid holding the mic with both hands
at the same time throughout the entire song. Again, this could send the message that you
are uncomfortable and afraid to let go. To more effectively communicate, free one hand to
outwardly reinforce your message.
Relax the fingers while holding the mic. Clenching the microphone with white knuckles
is a definite give-away that you are nervous. Holding the pinky finger out looks a little like
youre having tea and crumpets. Then, there is the fancy locked-tarantula hand position.
The arm and elbow are also frozen into position while the opposite arm is clamped down
along side of the body. This may feel safe, but to the audience, it just looks like youre
stuck. Honestly, the distraction may detract from your message. Relaxed comfortable
looking hands put the congregation at ease so they can hear the word of God.
As far as I can tell, there are only two times when the microphone should be covering
your mouth. One: if you lip-sync (mouth the words) a song to a pre-recorded track and
dont know the words. Two: you want to check the color of your lipstick. In other words,
forget it. A microphone is not a trumpet.

Just a note about wind screens:

Some microphones have built-in wind screens. They work efficiently indoors to help
eliminate popping ps. Exterior wind screens are colored foam caps that keep the bassy
WHOOSH sound out of a microphone on a windy day outdoors. The operative word
here is wind. Unless your sanctuary has a tremendously breezy air conditioner, you
probably wont need to use an exterior wind screen indoors. The microphone actually
loses some of its sensitivity and quality when the exterior wind screen is on.
Frequently, colored wind screens are used by audio technicians to identify individual
mics when mixing the sound. Why not try a special non-sticky colored tape at the bottom
of each mic instead?

Another thought: What if youre holding a mic with a big, bulbous colored wind screen
on the end. With that thing covering the front of your face, wouldnt it be hard for the
listener to take a serious message seriously?
Wireless mics do have their advantages. No tripping over the cords with your feet is a
big one. You also have more freedom to move around the platform and into the
congregation. If you have a wired mic, do hold the cable still. Playing with the mic cable
can be another nervous distraction from the song. Moving the mic cable unnecessarily will
cause any loose connections to SNAP, CRACKLE, and POP in the sound system.

Pointing a live mic directly at any of the main speakers or floor monitors will cause the
sound system to SQUEEEEEEEL! If it happens, you and your audience will definitely
remember the experience.
Picking up your goood vibrations:
As a singer, your task is to use the microphone to catch the sounds that youre making for
both singing and speaking between the songs. The mic picks up those sounds and
amplifies them through a public address (PA) system.
Many audio technicians will raise and lower the singers volume throughout the course
of a vocal performance because the singer is holding the mic in a locked position. This
also occurs when using a headset. The overall levels on the sound board should be pre-set
in the sound check. For the best results, a singer using a handheld mic can control the
majority of his or her own volume by moving the microphone in and out. A song
presented with a variety of dynamic levels displays the artistry of the singer and is
interesting to listen to. As the sound level changes in your singing, move the position of
your mic!

Pwactice Makes Poifect!

Here are the basic ingredients for
a practice (audio) sound check:
Ask your pastor or choir director for an appointment to practice singing through the
church sound system. Perhaps it could be before or after a music rehearsal.
I suggest that you use CD or cassette accompaniment tracks. You wont have to rely
on other musicians to be at your rehearsal and you can focus on the sound check only.
Make it a habit to rewind and cue your cassette tracks before giving them to your
audio technician. The tracks need to be clearly labeled with the song title and your
 name. If you are using a commercial cassette track, place a colored dot sticker on the
performance side and tell your technician about the sticker.
One evening, I sang on a live Christian television program using an accompaniment
track. It was pretty exciting when the red light on top of the camera came on, the
eight-bar intro had finished, and I began singinga duet with an invisible tenor!
Learn from me! Make sure that your audio technician understands the performance
track # you intend to use, not the demonstration track #. Clearly label your CD as
well.
Check the mic by speaking or singing in front of it. Blowing into the mic, tapping it
with your fingers, or pounding it with the palm of your hand puts stress on the
sensitive pick-ups. If you dont want to say Testing 1, 2, 3, just talk about the
weather or something interesting. On Sundays, the early birds will find your sound
check much more enjoyable. Do keep talking or singing until the audio technician
and you are satisfied with what youre hearing.

Blaring floor monitors give a false sense of security to the singer and affect the
overall sound in the entire building. Listen to the floor monitors when the track starts
playing. Then tell the audio tech if you want the track level to be louder, softer, or the
same. The track level should be just loud enough to hear the music. If its too soft,
you wont be able to match pitches very well with the accompaniment. If its too
loud, you wont hear yourself in the monitor or in the main speakers either. Then,
start singing and listen to the sound coming out of the floor monitors. Does the
volume on the mic need to be up, down, or the same? You should also be able to hear
the music through the main speakers. Those are the ones that everyone else hears.
Develop an ear for the way it sounds. Do you think that the mic and sound system are
reproducing your natural tone in the most complimentary way? Does it sound too
heavy or bassy to you? On the other hand, it could have a thin tinny treble sound.
Kindly suggest to the audio technician that you would prefer that the sound be
equalized a little more. To do that, the treble, mid-range, and bass levels need to be
independently adjusted up or down. Be patient, not demanding.

Diplomacy is the key: Work well with your audio technician. Many are not musicians and
relate better to the high tech world than to artistry. Developing a good rapport from the
very beginning is essential because you are a team. After all of your prayer, practice, and
preparation, an audio technician can make or break a presentation.
Many churches are using multi-purpose gyms that are used for indoor sports during the
week. Generally, there is not much natural echo in those types of facilities. Ask your audio
technician for a little bit of reverb on your voice to give a warm resonance to your tone.
Make sure he or she turns the reverb off when you are speaking or youll sound like
youve just fallen into a deep well wellwellwell.

As a courtesy to the audio technician and other musicians, always be on time and keep
your sound check to the time allotted you. If its an engagement, be finished before the
congregation arrives. The sound check is just that; a check and not a rehearsal. Prepare
your songs well in advance.

Heres the scoop on voice classifications: People are always asking me how I can get so
much sound out of such a short body. Im happy to say for all you vertically challenged
people out there, the size and shape of your body have little to do with the type of tone
you produce. The instrument inside, your lungs, vocal cords and resonating cavities, shape
the type of sound coming out. Each voice is a unique gift from God.
A high womans voice with a light tone is called a Lyric Soprano. If a woman has a high
voice with a deeper warmer quality, that is classified as a Dramatic Soprano. Those
women blessed with luscious rich low tones are Contraltos. Alto is not a voice
classification but the name of a vocal part found in sheet music.
For men, Tenor is the classification for the highest vocal range. Baritone represents a
deeper quality mid-range reaching into both the higher and lower voice registers. The
lowest of voice classifications is the Bass (pronounced Base). Basses are the anchors of
choirs, ensembles, and quartets. Hearing a good Bass solo is always a special treat.
The names of the vocal parts in choral music are Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass.
Divided parts are labeled First and Second Soprano, First and Second Alto, and so on.
Three of the part names are also voice classifications but Alto is not. It is correct to say
that you sing Alto but not correct to say that you are one.

Heres the scoop on chest tones and head tones:

Men and women have different sounding voices within their vocal ranges. The first is
the chest voice which produces the lower heavier tones. The second is the head voice
which produces the higher lighter tones. Men only have the ability to sing above their
head voice in a higher head tone called falsetto. Chest voice, head voice, and falsetto are
not voice classifications.

Pwactice Makes Poifect!

Follow this simple recipe for
using a good microphone technique:
Whether singing with a track or with live musicians, practice working the handheld
microphone in and out. If youre singing loudly, pull the mic out 8-12 inches or more
to pick up the sound without distortion. For medium volume, hold the mic about 6
inches away from your face. For very soft phrases, bring it in closer without touching
or covering your mouth. If the mic is in a stand, then step in for a soft phrase and step
back for the big high notes. As a reminder, singing soft phrases takes a lot of breath
support to keep the musical tones going. Without breath support, the musical tones
will stop and it will sound more like softly spoken words than singing. From now on,
plan to move the microphone in and out with every song.
The sound system greatly affects the quality of sound that the microphone produces. No
matter how wonderfully you sing, you will only sound as good as the microphone and
speakers that your voice is amplified through. If you have only an older sound system to
work with, the more reason to learn how to work your mic in and out. As you sing more
frequently, consider investing in your own microphone for dependable quality wherever
you sing.

BUYING YOUR OWN MICROPHONE

1. Determine your voice classification. Are you a soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone,
bass, or smiler? Actually, a church choir member did tell me that smiler is her
voice classification.
2. The dynamic range of a microphone should compliment your vocal range and not
distort your sound. Microphones have different characteristics that enhance different
types of voices. Some mics have a bright sound. Some give the singer a warm smooth
sound. Other microphones can lean heavy on the bass side or can have too much
treble.
3. Sing through a variety of microphones at a music store. They are classified in three
 categories: dynamic microphones, condenser microphones, and the ultra-sensitive
ribbon microphones. Some mics cant handle the wide frequency range of a singer.
For instance, a typical speakers podium mic is designed for mid-range only. Also,
realize that in a store, the quality you hear will be affected by the premium speakers
youll be singing through. Sing in your lowest vocal range up to your highest. How
does it sound? Narrow your selection down to a few favorite microphones and try
them through different sized speakers including the very small inexpensive ones.
Youre evaluation will be much more realistic as to the quality of the mic.
4. When shopping, try at least six different makes and models for the best comparison.
The price range for a good wired handheld microphone is at least $125 to $500. An
average quality mic costs at least $150 to $175. Decide how much you want to spend.
Do include the additional price of a mic cable in your budget. To get more for your
$$, check online lists for good used mics and equipment.
5. As I mentioned before, some microphones come with built-in wind screens that are
more efficient indoors for handling percussive sounds like popped ps. Exterior wind
screens are useful outdoors.
6. If the handheld microphone you select has a built in condenser, you will also need to
purchase a portable phantom power unit. The portable unit provides 48 volts of
power through the cable making the condenser microphone operable. A single-
channel phantom power unit costs at least $120. Many churches have a built-in
phantom power unit in the sound board (also called a mixing board). Do ask ahead of
time because an older mixing board may not.
7. Wireless handheld microphones cost from at least $225 to $1500. An additional
battery for the mic is required and it comes with a trans-receiver unit. The unit is
patched (plugged) into the sound board also called a mixing board.
8. Wired headsets range in price from at least $200 to $500 while wireless headsets
range from $250 to $700 in price. A transmitter (body pack) is required for use.
Headset microphones: Headset mics are now a popular performance tool for many
worship teams and soloists. The obvious advantage is the hands-free ability to accompany
oneself on a keyboard or guitar plus the mic is barely noticeable. Some are worn with a
feather-light wire over the ear while others attach around the back of the head with a
lightweight headband. The disadvantage for the singer is in the performance of vocal
dynamics. Though sensitive, the headset mic is placed in a stationary position on the side
of the head. The singer cannot work the mic out for loud supported high notes or in for
super soft phrasing. Your audio technician will have charge over your sound levels so
make sure to rehearse the entire song through before the performance.
The second half of the headset mic is the transmitter (also referred to as a body pack)
that sends the audio signal to the sound board for mixing. A little larger and heavier than
deck of cards, the transmitter has a clip that attaches to the singers waist band. I also use a
small (homemade) soft fabric pouch that ties around my waist. I find that dropping the
transmitter in and out of the pouch is faster especially if Im sharing the mic during a
performance such as a Christmas musical.
Like handheld mics, headset mics come in both dynamic and condenser formats, are
wired or wireless, and are available in a variety of styles and prices.

If you have your own microphone, realize that there can be compatibility problems with
various sound systems. You may have to compromise by using the existing house mic and
system which may or may not be in top condition. The floor monitors may crackle and the
speakers might hiss, but take heart and give it your best. Its amazing how the Lord can
use a song to touch others in spite of tech problems.
Having a choice is the ideal situation. When deciding upon handheld vs. headset and
wired vs. wireless, always remember the most important consideration: Which
microphone best compliments the sound of your unique God-given voice? Pick that one!

Food for Thought

The Lord is my strength and my song;

He has become my salvation.
Exodus 15:2

Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalm 33:3
Chapter Eight
 You sing better when you feel great!
I hope you had some kind of gooey dessert before reading this chapter because now its
time to talk about discipline. OH RATS!

Once you start putting into practice all the prince-ples in the last seven chapters, your
voice will improve and people will probably ask you to sing. It could be in the choir, for a
worship team, or to do a solo. First the good news: Youve been asked to sing!!! Now, the
bad news: Youve been asked to sing!!!
To say that singing in front of a group of people is as easy as pie would be very
unrealistic. Instead, performing a song can be a real pressure cooker experience; especially
for those just getting started.
I remember hearing a story about actress Shirley Temple when she was a child star. A
reporter asked her if she ever had stage fright. Shirley took her mother by the hand and
asked, Mommy, whats stage fright? Dont you love it?

Since your voice is stuck in your body, you need to give yourself every break you can to
be ready. Being in the best possible physical condition is a must. Do aerobic type exercises
to strengthen the heart and lungs. Getting your heart rate up in exercise will help so much.
Youll be much more comfortable with the pitter-patter that goes on when singing in front
of others.
Remember that being nervous is a common response. It indicates that you care about
how well you do and what others think. More good news: You are normal!
Include stretching exercises in your workout. They keep you flexible and really help
with your posture. Exercises that focus on upper body strength and the abdominal muscles
assist with deep breathing and support.

Any physical activity that you enjoy would be great. Consider golf, swimming, hiking,
walking, and others to get your body going. Moving when youre relaxed will help you to
move better when youre not.
 Singing, an aerobic exercise that utilizes much energy, requires a good nights sleep
before performance day. Sleep is essential. The more rested you are, the more energy
youll have to sing in front of an audience. Ive often compared a concert to a tennis
match. Its exciting and exhilarating but when we lose our concentration, we miss the ball.
Be your best. Get lots of rest!
What you put into your body will also influence your energy level. Eating healthy foods
and drinking a lot of water are recommended for everyone but the demands on a singer
make this daily discipline even more important.
Eating normal meals on a regular schedule is fine. On singing days, the eating schedule
revolves around the concert schedule. If Im singing early in the morning, I eat a health
bar, an apple, and have some hot tea. If Im doing an evening concert, I have my big meal
in the middle of the day and eat the health bar and apple an hour before I sing. Its
important to finish eating no less than thirty minutes before singing and to eat lightly.

The reason for all the discipline is the combination of digestion and deep breathing.
Heavy meals dont work because as you continually take deep breaths of air, undigested
food will release gasses that resemble a sour stomach. If youre singing for a banquet and
eat the entire meal just before you go on, youll be able to taste every course all at once
during your songs. Others may not be aware of your indigestion but for you, it will be
distracting and very un-appetizing. Its better to let your host know beforehand that you
will be eating only a portion of the meal. Or, ask if the meal can be held until later. You
can eat all you want afterwards!
When its time for your presentation after the banquet, everyone settles back and
relaxes, right? Theyve just finished a large meal plus dessert and they are sleeeeepy. You
need to be awake!
A tip on teeth: Carry a travel toothbrush to banquets. Brush your teeth and tongue
rinsing your mouth well. Your teeth will be brighter and tiny food particles wont drop
down and irritate your throat.
Avoid singing with air conditioning or a fan blowing directly on you. The cold air
entering your mouth while you are deep breathing can cause a raspy throat or even a cold.
If you have a head cold, take just enough non-drowsy formula antihistamine to keep the
sinuses from draining into your throat. (A normal dose will really dry out your mouth and
make you feel dingy!) Your sinuses will be stuffy and your hearing will be slightly
impaired but you can get by. When the cold moves into your throat, it wont take long for
you to lose your voice. If youre not doing a solo, sing as lightly as possible. If your voice
is gone, just mouth the words and smile!
 Speaking of smiling, heres a beauty pageant tip: Use lip gloss, moisturizing lipstick, or
petroleum jelly on your lips to help the lips slide over your teeth. This is really helpful
especially when nervous! Theres nothing more annoying than stuck dry lips! You can
even put a light coating of petroleum jelly across your upper teeth as parade smilers do.
Try it! It works!
And now friends, its time for the before-you-sing food list of Donts.

EAT THE FOLLOWING FOODS

AT YOUR OWN RISK!

1. Any dairy products especially ice cream, milk, milkshakes, and yogurt. Why? Dairy
promotes mucous and a possibly a sour stomach.

2. Any cold beverages, popcicles, anything icy. Why? The cold freezes throat muscles.
Can you imagine a weight lifter sticking his arms in a tub of ice water before lifting
weights? The operative word here is WARM up!
3. Any carbonated beverages.
Why? Carbonation makes you burp through the song.

4. Spicy foods
Why? If not fully digested, ay caramba!
5. Tortilla chips, potato chips, pretzels, or other dry scratchy snacks.
Why? Babying your throat is a good idea.
 Irritations are so irritating!
6. Coffee: regular or decaf
Why? Its acidic.
It may or may not be a problem for you.
7. Citrus fruits and vinegar
Why? They are great for clearing congestion but they can sting a tender or raspy
throat. Also, beware of tangy salad dressings and fresh ground pepper.
8. Desserts like donuts, sweet rolls, cookies, and chocolate candy. Why? They are full
of sugar, fat, and lack nutrition. Sugar will give you a great temporary energy charge
and later your energy level will crash. Heavy desserts are also harder to digest. What
a bummer!
Oh yes, and

9. Excessive talking. Why?

Talking is hard on the voice (ask a school teacher). A tired voice doesnt sound as
good as a rested one.

1. Do eat a light healthy meal an hour or two before singing.

2. Do eat a good quality nutrition bar is loaded with protein and carbohydrates for
energy. It wont weigh you down.

3. Do eat warm soup with a slice of bread. Both nourishing and filling, the soup also
warms up your throat muscles.
4. Do eat a green salad but be careful of tangy dressings, freshly ground pepper, and
sharp lettuce leaves; all potential throat irritants.
5. Drink water at room temperature or warmer. Remember, no ice!
6. Hot herbal tea or tea with caffeine will warm up your muscles and sooth your throat.
Its easier on the stomach than coffee. No problems when deeeep breathing.
7. Sip a teaspoon of honey. It coats the throat and is a natural energy boost.

8. Fruit! Apples and pears are refreshing and clear the throat. Bananas have potassium;
essential for a healthy heart. Get extra energy plus nutrition.
9. Use cough drops, throat lozenges, and commercial throat moistening sprays for
singers and speakers. The vapors open the sinuses to reduce congestion. All are
soothing to the throat.
10. Use vitamin supplements for resistance to viruses and for stamina: Before a concert
or speaking engagement, I especially like the small easy-to-carry foil packets of high
potency powdered Vitamin C + B Complex drinks. Slit open the packet, carefully
pour the powder into a bottle of drinking water, put the lid on, and gently shake to
mix. Another excellent source of quick energy is the tiny cherry flavored Vitamin
B12 tab that melts under the tongue. You can find both these products in health food
stores.

CONCERT TESTED RECIPE

Drop a mentholyptus or honey-lemon cough drop into a cup of hot tea. When the
tea is warm, not hot, take a sip. The melted drop makes the teaah, wonderful!

Again, the system that works best for me is to eat my regular meal at another time of the
day. An hour or two before I sing, my small meal consists of a nutrition bar, an apple, and
some hot herbal tea.
If possible, just before singing, I pop a clear eucalyptus cough drop into my mouth.
Water does moisten but doesnt coat the throat. Thats why throat lozenges are on my
check list of items to carry. Dont leave home without them.
Time for one of my stories!
Actually, I did leave home without them one time. On my way to a Christian television
studio, my husband and I stopped at a quick stop for cough drops. The only flavor
available was cherry. I settled for that flavor and on we went.
After doing my sound check at the studio, the live program started at 8 PM sharp. The
greeting from the hosts came first and then my song was introduced. It was an exciting up
tempo anthem with some high notes throughout the song. After my big ending, I smiled,
the applause track came on, and the red light on the camera went off. I was done so I went
back to the Green Room where my husband was waiting and watching the program on
closed circuit TV.
How did it go? I asked. He was laughing uncontrollably and couldnt answer.
WHATS SO FUNNY? I insisted. Still laughing, he tried to speak saying, Every
timeyou opened your mouthfor a high note,the camera did a close up shot and
all I really noticed was your bright red tongue!
My cherry cough drop days had come to a screeching halt!

It only takes a few times of trying a soda or just one scoop of ice cream before singing
to wish you hadnt. We all sing better when we feel great and I can guarantee that if you
do well on your songs, youll be happy!
Sotake care of yourself. Then youll have the energy to use your gifts to glorify the
Lord!

Food for Thought

Hold fast to Him and serve Him

with all your heart and all your soul.
Joshua 22:5

Do you not know that your body

is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought with a price.
Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

He who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus
Philippians 1:6

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 Philippians 4:13

Is anyone happy?
Let him sing songs of praise.
James 5:13
Chapter Nine
 Sharing your song with others!
This chapter is put together like a one pot stew. Theres a little bit of everything thrown
in here. The topics may be left-overs but dont pass them by. These extra helps will make
a difference for you as you further branch out into ministry. After all, dont you want your
music ministry to really cook?
Here are a variety of cooking tips to help you serve up your best!

SUGGESTIONS FOR REHEARSING

Memorizing a song: First, memorize only the melody. Practice singing the melody on an
open vowel while paying close attention to specific pitches. Make sure that all aspects of
the melody are firmly memorized. Next, practice the lyrics. Type or write by hand all of
the lyrics (words) on a piece of paper. Doing this exercise helps to accelerate the
memorization process. Take your lyric sheet with you everywhere! Have it with you in the
car, review the words while waiting in the dentists office, or practice during TV
commercials. One of the best times to memorize is just before falling asleep at night. Plan
to have your words completely memorized, at the latest, two weeks before you sing a new
song. After the words are memorized, you can then begin to develop each phrase. Plan to
develop the artistic expression in your song by working out each phrase and fine tuning
your own special vocal inflections. A song needs to sit for awhile in your head and heart
before it is really yours.
Artistry: No two phrases in a song should be sung in exactly the same way. Develop
different vocal inflections and intensities for each verse and chorus. For pop music, take
the liberty to vary each melody and make the song your own.

Using sheet music: Vocal sheet music in popular music, not classical, is generic. Not only
is it written in a bare bones form, but often written in an uncomplimentary key. I think it
must be a conspiracy. If you really want to sing the song and the key is not right, have it
transposed by an instrumentalist. First, use the sheet music as a guide, then improvise to
make the song your own!
Using accompaniment tracks: Listen to the artist on the track two to three times. Thats
all! From then on, practice with the performance side only. If you practice with the
rehearsal side, you will unintentionally be copying the artist. Its very important to get
ideas by listening to others but then, develop your own style. Try not to be an EXACT
COPY CAT. Communicate the message the way you feel it. God made you an original!

Take the lead: If you are slightly behind in rhythm, it will sound as if the sound track is
pulling you along. Instead, take a strong lead and make your presentation sound like the
instruments are following you!

Finding the right track: Accompaniment tracks are usually recorded in the key
performed by the original artist and may not be complimentary your voice. For example,
songs written for tenors are written for tenors, not sopranos. If the song is difficult to sing,
makes you sing too high or too low, the track will not compliment your vocal register.
Even if you love the song, skip it! Remember, the bottom line is for you to sound your
best. Do your homework and find tracks that are made just for you.
Singing with an accompanist: When doing a solo with an accompanist, always be
gracious and grateful. You must be prepared in advance, know your song very well, and
firmly establish your tempo. With your strong lead, it will be much easier for the
accompanist to follow you. If the written music doubles your solo part, ask the
accompanist to delete the melody line as much as possible. Without the melody line
played on the instrument, you will have more freedom in singing. Otherwise, you will be
locked into singing exactly as the generic melody line is played. For the most
independence as an artist, accompany yourself or have a custom accompaniment written
for you.
Singing with the same technique in all situations: Think to yourself in rehearsal, How
does this song feel when I sing? Every location has different acoustics. You have to
depend on the way it feels in your body and not on the feedback you hear or dont
hear. One of the traps of trying to hear yourself in a muffled environment is that there is a
tendency to over-sing; almost yell. Ive done it many times but Ive learned to trust the
audio technician and trust the way my body feels. I know if Im singing or not. The best
plan in this situation is to relax and let the audio tech handle the sound level for the
audience.
Blending your voice with other singers: When singing in a choir, vocal ensemble,
quartet, trio, or with one other person, you are a team member. Listen to the other voices
and instruments around you. Become an incorporate part of the total sound. Each choir
part should sound like one voice. All of the different tone qualities of each choir member
give that one voice a unique and beautiful sound. I used to say to my students, Be a
part of the milkshake! Remember to listen and blend your voice into the total mix.

SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING YOUR MINISTRY

Consider your uniqueness: While continuing to practice the fundamentals for singing
and the gourmet recipes for diction, begin to consider what it is that makes you unique.
What creative gifts do you have that will turn your simple singing into performing
artistry? How and why has God made you to communicate His message?

Step out of your comfort zone:

If you have a calling on your heart to further your ministry through singing, take that leap
of faith in Gods good timing. No flying until you start flapping!
Developing a repertoire: Every time you learn a new song, you are adding to your list of
songs; your repertoire. When you have six songs well-rehearsed, youre ready to do a
thirty minute concert. About ten to twelve songs are enough for one hour.

Coordinating your message in music with the pastor or speaker: If you are ministering
prior to the sermon, find out in advance the sermon topic. Choose a song within your
repertoire or learn a new one that will best prepare the congregation to receive that
message.
Your target audience: Decide what style you like to sing the most and then find out who
wants to listen to that style. It will save you much time and energy as you contact others
about your ministry.

Finding new places to sing: Ministry depends on networking. Each place you sing can be
a stepping stone to a new contact. The basic tools for contacting are a black and white
photo and a brief biography page. A mission statement or statement of purpose will help
you define in your own mind what you are about. Mission statements also help pastors in
deciding where your ministry can best be used. Make a list of referrals from pastors, music
ministers, and conference speakers who are familiar with your ministry and add that list in
your packet to new contacts. Christian artist Steve Green once suggested to me, Sing
wherever you can, whenever you can. That was great advice. Step out! The Lord is the
Way and He will lead.
Private voice lessons: Serious training should not begin until the voice has started to
mature. Carefully choose a reputable teacher who understands and agrees with your goals.
A voice coach must be competent, trustworthy, and encouraging.
Speaking your message: Give inspirational messages in-between your songs and during
the instrumental introductions to your songs. Doing so will add to the effectiveness of
your ministry. Look for Bible verses that support the messages that youre giving through
music. Put those Bible principles into your own words and add your own personal
experiences. For instance, tell about how you came to the Lord and how He has been
faithful in your life. Speaking for about thirty seconds to two minutes will not only make
your concert flow but will reveal more of your own personality to the congregation. It also
sets the mood for the next song giving you a way to smoothly transition from one musical
style to another. Speaking gives a necessary break when moving from an up tempo to a
sensitive ballad. Its important, especially for television, to speak over long musical
introductions and interludes. Believe me, its much more interesting than watching
someone stand there for thirty seconds while the track is rolling. When giving your
testimony, allow at least 3-5 minutes; the average time for one song.

Dealing with criticism: There are hundreds of people who will readily give you advice
and opinions. Be aware that both negative and positive comments can give you an
unrealistic view of your music and communication skills. If someone says good luck to
you, thats a clue that the person doesnt understand your motivation. Ministry has nothing
to do with luck but everything to do with the power of the Holy Spirit. Uncomplimentary
and hurtful statements can be discouraging. Remember, as I now do, that negative
messages are not from the Lord. Pray for an extra portion of Gods grace and try to just
take the comment for what its worth; just a grain of salt. Also, please keep in mind that
too many cooks (opinions) spoil the broth.
Ive had my share of discouragement along the way. After one of my concerts, I was
shaking hands and visiting with people in the church foyer. One man approached me
shaking his head from side to side with a disgusted look on his face. Not for me! Not for
me, he loudly exclaimed. I tried to politely reply, Oh, Im sorry. What style of music do
you like? He answered, I like Southern gospel. I started, Well I do have some
Southern gos. He interrupted, No. I like mens quartets! No way could I measure up
to his expectations being an only soprano. He then turned to my husband and
announced, Your tie is too bright. My husband replied, Well, God bless you, Sir. Have a
nice day.
Self-criticism can be worse than criticism from others. Thank heavens that the Lord is
patient with us. What the congregation sees and hears is the final result of all the
preparation in rehearsal. You may do a 10 in rehearsal but under pressure think that you
did a 7 or 8 during your presentation. Thats fine. Without the prep, you might have done a
3! Your expectation scale is usually much higher than the listeners anyway. They may
think that you did an 11! Drawing people into the presence of the Lord is what really
matters.
The Lord is the head of your ministry. His word and direction come first. Since God
also speaks through His people, choose Christian family members, pastors, and close
Christian friends to be your critics. They must love you unconditionally, believe in you,
and believe that God has called you. For musical critiques and spiritual advice, listen to
them. Also, pray that God will speak through them to help guide you. No matter how
poorly we think that we do, the Lord will always use our ministry for His glory. That
truth is the source of our confidence! The Lord is our shield and strength. Put on the full
armor of God each day. (Read Ephesians 6:12-18) Be bold for the Lord. Be ready to
graciously serve the message that God has given you.

SUGGESTIONS FORLOOKING SIMPLY MAHVELOUS

Makeup: The purpose of makeup for both men and women is to enhance the face. It can
also be applied to the neck, arms, and hands. With makeup, expressions can be seen from
a distance. For worship services and concerts, it should look natural enough to greet
people up close. With the extreme lights used for television and for dramatic stage
productions, additional makeup is necessary. Foundation and powder are basic equipment
if you sing indoors under lights. Wear a good quality foundation that is well-matched to
your skin tone. Foundation on the face, throat, and ears will give a smooth even finish. Set
your foundation by pressing a translucent powder into the foundation with a makeup
sponge. Whisk the excess powder off using light downward strokes. Use bronzing powder
on the face, ears, neck, arms for short sleeve and sleeveless outfits, and the back of the
hands. For lessons in applying eye and brow make-up, bronzers and blush plus other
specialties, consult with at least two makeup artists. To save money, purchase good quality
products at a drug store.

Hair: A hairstyle that compliments the shape of your face looks best. Remember that
people sitting in a large semi-circle or in a long rectangle will see you from a distance.
Hair on the cheeks will close off your face on the sides. Long thick bangs will cast a
shadow on the eyes and face. Keeping the hair off of your cheeks and keeping bangs less
weighty will allow everyone to see the message that your face is telling. Turning your face
and moving across the platform will also help you project a look of confidence in the
Lord.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS!

Take the ingredients in these chapters.
Blend well and pour into your ministry.
Joyfully serve!

Attire is a matter of taste: Choose a wardrobe that reflects your personality and enhances
your appearance. Consider long sleeves over short or sleeveless for a more finished look.
Carefully add your accessories as if adding fine seasonings to a dish. Make all your
selections based on your body type, skin tone, and hair color. What looks great on the rack
may not on you. If you do find an outfit you like, hang it on the end of the rack and walk
across the room. How does the outfit look from a distance? You will notice that tiny prints
and accessories are completely lost when seen from far away. Make sure you see what
others see and always do this test before buying
Too much jewelry combined with too many colors will distract the audience and take
some of the focus from your message. Remember that your outward appearance
contributes to your overall message so dress for success!
Consider some more guidelines given to me during my training in modeling school.
The chart on the next page will help you check and plan what youre going to wear.
 Food for Thought

Bring every thought through obedience

into captivity through Christ.
II Corinthians 10:5

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel,

Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm
 so that I will be free from pain.
And God granted his request.
1 Chronicles 4:10

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing,

he deceives himself.
Each one should test his own actions.
Then he can take pride in himself without comparing
himself to somebody else,
for each one should carry his own load.
Galatians 6:3-4

An overcomer by the blood of the Lamb

and the Word of my testimony
Revelations 12:11
Chapter Ten
 Recipe for giving thanks.
Ah, the banquet has been served and everyone is full. How satisfying to know that all
the hard work has been worth it. Now, we can relax, sit back, and just savor the memories.
Lets go out and celebrate!

Oops! Not quite yet! It seems to me that I see some workers back in the kitchen. Some
are clearing the tables, another is collecting the trash, and dont I see some volunteers
doing the dishes? This is their way of expressing thanks to the Lord for all that He has
done.
Maybe someone accepted Christ for the first time or perhaps there were several re-
dedications to the Lord. A first time visitor said that he really enjoyed the evening and
would like to visit next Sunday. Oh, thank you Lord for Your faithfulness.
So, while hanging up your choir robe and putting your music back, wont you think
about all that He has done for you? While collecting your music from the platform,
wrapping your mic cord, and visiting with people after the service, wont you say a prayer
of thanksgiving to our precious Lord, Jesus Christ?
Gratitude and humility; its the difference between just singing and being a singing
minister of the Gospel. Its giving the credit to the Giver of music and acknowledging that
we are nothing without Him.
My Gift
by Christina G. Rossetti
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would give him a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part,
But what can I give Him,
Give my heart.
Give Jesus dominion over your entire life and joyfully sing His praises! God bless you
as you practice and learn. Thank you for your willingness to use your time and talents to
bless others.
In Christ always,

Food for Thought

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,
in accordance with
the measure of faith God has given you.
Just as each of us has one body with many members,
and these members do not all have the same
function, so in Christ we who are many form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
If a mans gift is prophesying,
let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve;
if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage;
if it is contributing to the needs of others,
let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere.
Romans 12:3-9

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and
I will give thanks to him in song.
 Psalm 28:7

by Carole Brewer
As I draw into your presence Lord Jesus, my heart is so
full of joy and gratitude. You have given to me the gift of
singing and the desire to use it for Your glory.
Thank you for the beauty of music.
Thank you that Im able to communicate Your gospel on
musical sounds. Only You, Lord, could create such an
incredible possibility.
Thank you for giving me the ability to express my heart
in a way that I love. Thank you that music is fun.
Thank you for the fellowship with other musicians.
Thank you that music touches those who listen.
Thank you Lord for the power of Your Holy Spirit that
gives me Your strength when I sing. Thank you for
preparing the way for me and for going ahead of me.
And Lord, thank you for everything You have done for
me, are doing now, and are going to do in my life.
I give You all the glory, honor, and praise.
In Your precious name,
Amen.
Audio technician 70-71
Body language 11
Buying a microphone 74-77
Consonants 53-54
Eating before singing 81-85
Food for Thought Bible verses pages 9, 18, 27, 36, 48, 63, 78, 87, 100, 103
Getting in shape 79-80
Healthy Throat Recipes 35
Heres the scoop on:
Breathing 21
Chest & head tones 73
Diphthongs 51
Eliding 56
Sinus cavities 38
Vocal cords 31
Voice classifications 72

Holding a microphone 65-67

Just a note about:
A place to practice 46
Distractions 16
Emotions 17
Hyperventilating 21
Musicianship 42
Physiology 20
Singing with the piano 43
Wind screens 67

Prayer from a Singers Heart 105

Pwactice Makes Poifect
Simple recipes for:
A sound check 69
Deep breathing 22-25
Diction 51-61
Effective communication 13
Eye contact 8
 Entrances and exits 15
Facial expressions 15
Great posture 12
Hands and knees 14
Microphone techniques 69-71
Relaxing the mouth 33-34
Singing on camera 16
Singing scales 44
Standing 13
Tension in the mouth 29-31
Using your space 13
Vocal flexibility & range 43-46
Walking comfortably 13
Warming-up the voice 41-42

Recipe for a Happy Day 26

Recipe for a Happy Life 62
Suggestions for:
Rehearsing
Accompaniment tracks 90-91
Acoustics 92
Artistry 90-91
Memorization 89
Singing with an accompanist 91
Using sheet music 90

Developing your ministry

Dealing with criticism 95
Finding places to sing 93
Out of comfort zone 93
Private voice lessons 94
Repertoire 93
Speaking 94
Your message 93
Your target audience 93

Looking Simply Mahvelous

Makeup & hair 96-97
Attire 98-99

Vowels 50
 About the Author

Caroles Story: Born cross-eyed and legally blind in her left eye, Carole was ridiculed in
elementary school for her outward appearance. Her eye was straightened through surgery
at age nine, but Carole lacked the self-confidence and sense of purpose that only a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ can bring. During her senior year of college, Carole
opened her heart to the truth of Gods word, surrendered to His will, and received her
esteem as an heir in Christ. Instead of living with bitterness and discouragement, Carole
now walks with Jesus using her God-given talents to share His message of encouragement
and hope with others.
Carole has energetically shared her music and speaking ministry on Christian television
programs, with speakers Carol Kent and Joni Eareckson Tada, and for church ministries in
Canada, Germany, Denmark, Iceland, and throughout the U.S. The wide variety of
Caroles music styles and songwriting are represented in her four solo CDs; Celebrate
the Lord, Everything Began With You, New Life, and The Work of Your Hand
(Servants Heart). Also a creative writer, her stories have been published in WT Online,
Inspired Women Magazine, and in three books; Give Thanks! (Essence Publishing),
Kisses of Sunshine for Teachers (Zondervan), and Conversations on Purpose for
Women (Zondervan).
Singing and teaching are Caroles forte. During her ten years as a public school music
teacher, she began developing her own innovative methods and materials for voice
training. Carole has presented Cookin Up a Song voice workshops for the Association of
Christian Schools International, the Bay Area Church Workers Convention (BASS),
Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, San Juan Unified School District Adult
Education, and for womens retreats. She has a BA in Music, an MA in Education, four
teaching credentials, and a diploma in professional modeling. Her Biblical studies include
training from Bible Study Fellowship, Community Bible Study, Speak Up With
Confidence Seminars, Western Seminary-Sacramento, and Capital Bible College.
In addition, Carole serves as a member of the Advisory Board of Christian Women in
Media Association (CWIMA.org) and is currently the National Networks Director USA.
Carole is an Ambassador for the Gospel for Asia - Women Reaching Women program,
which supports female missionaries in overseas countries. As musicians, Carole and her
husband, Jan Brewer serve together with the Sunrise Community Church worship team in
Fair Oaks, California.
 For ministry scheduling, contact:

Email: info@carolebrewer.com

CAROLE BREWER MINISTRIES

PO Box 628 Fair Oaks, CA 95628