Vocal pointers

With thanks to Mrs Ruth Altwasser!

Backing Vocals

Body language - before you even open your mouth, you can influence the congregation. Stoney face, hands in pockets and a bored, glazed look make it look like you'd rather be anywhere but part of that worship band. Enthusiasm is infectious. If you can communicate your passion for worship through smiling and positive body language it's a good start.

Your voice is an instrument - think of yourself as another instrument in the band. Just as you wouldn't want the electric guitar or a violin to be playing all the time, having a backing singer going all the time can be overpowering or just plain boring! Think about your contribution and what you can add to a sound/musical texture by singing or not singing.

Sing intelligently - this is not just about whether you sing or don't sing, it's about what you sing. Can you harmonise, improvise in between lyrics, sing oohs/aahs, double up on singing the tune with the leader, choose different harmony lines at different points in the song etc? Also, please(!) think about entry. Don't start singing half way through the first line or three quarters of the way through the first verse - it sounds really sloppy! Watch your worship leader to know when they are going to come in.

Working with other vocalists - communicate! Talk with each other about how you are going to divide up harmony parts and arrange yourselves. Once you've decided what you are going to do, stick to it. Respect each other's musical space and don't encroach.

Worship leaders and vocalists - don't neglect to instruct/encourage your BVs. Their contribution can sometimes be the most visible/noticeable. Think about vocal arrangements for songs or if there is a particular song/part of a song where you would prefer if they didn't sing. Talking with them about what you want them to do gives them direction and a sense that you do actually value their contribution to the band.


Vocals for worship leaders

Spoken input - be clear and concise. Speak more slowly than you would in normal conversation so that people can hear what you are saying. If you mumble, the moment's gone and people have not heard your encouragement/instruction for worship. Your connection with the congregation has failed.

Connection with the congregation - this is key. If people are to follow your lead in worship, they need to feel connected to you and trust you. Even if all you can manage is to say "hello" as you come to the front, this is better than nothing!

Sticking with the melody - although this can be very boring for a singer, it is important for the congregation to be able to recognise where you are in a song. An occasional improvisation is fine. If you are going to harmonise for longer, make sure a BV has the tune covered. This point is more important if you are singing a song which is new to the congregation.

Know your lyrics - getting lyrics wrong is a distraction for you and for your congregation. People can feel unsure of themselves if you get it wrong or feel concerned for you that you've mucked up. Either way, it takes away from people engaging in worship/meeting with God.


Lastly, always be thinking of ways you could improve. For example, would you benefit from a bit of vocal coaching? Or, could you spend half an hour getting that harmony licked for that difficult song?