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VIM is all about the voice and its role in ministry; how we use it and how we look after it.
Reader, if you’re a singer or a preacher (or both), you will know just how much your voice is affected by singing and preaching. Pain, Harshness, Fatigue. In more serious cases, a significant drop in tone is common.
I got to be honest. I inwardly cringe when I hear some people speak after singing or preaching. I feel it to the bone.
It really pains to hear voices that have been pushed and strained, to a point that the voice is hoarse and weak. Why?
Because I know it doesn't have to be that way. 😢
And I know that there are singers who think that that is good!
If they don’t physically 'feel it’ when singing or preaching, then they haven’t sung. If they don’t leave the platform with the back of their throat throbbing, they haven’t saang!
But, I hate to break it to you, if you think like that, it's wrong!
Hoarseness, pain and weakness is not a sign of singing really good but a sign of unhealthy vocal production.
What is Healthy Vocal Technique?
Healthy vocal technique is using specific exercises that help build and strengthen the laryngeal muscles used for singing.
When practiced and used correctly they produce pain free, open singing that is resonant and pleasant to the ear. They give the singer a sense of vocal freedom that allows them to sing with the power and projection they want but without strain, pushing or pain.
3 Steps to Healthy Vocal Technique
- Take your voice seriously! - top of my list. Recognise that as a singer your voice is your instrument, as a preacher it is your main form of communication. Without your voice you cannot sing or speak. But as a singer, without your voice, it directly impacts upon ministry. The cracks, the strain, the pitchiness, the shouting, the discordancy is far more noticeable when singing. A preacher can growl, shout and holler to hide poor techniques. People will even yell and shout back with them. But as a singer, it's not the same. There's a different expectation.
- Routine - Make time to warm up and practice technique regularly. Create a space in your home that is dedicated to vocal practice. Free Download
A music stand with a bible?
A ring light with your phone recording you?
A small corner in your bedroom, kitchen or study is all you need to set up. Why do this? Like any other subject, singing is a discipline. And when studying you need a dedicated quiet space to focus and pay attention to the task at hand.
- Know who you are as a singer - to know who you are as a singer is to understand your vocal capabilities. To understand your vocal capabilities you need to figure out your 'attractor state'. Your attractor state is where you naturally gravitate to as a singer. For example, I feel more comfortable belting. I find it easier to access and vocally respond to belting with more confidence than if i was asked to do runs and riffs. I had to learn to do runs and riffs whereas there are some singers who are born to do licks, trills and embellishments. It comes naturally to them. They're vocally 'attracted' to that way of singing.
Your attractor state is understanding your range, what genre of music suits your voice ie, rnb, jazz, classical, folk, country, etc (nearly everyone can sing pop imo) and your vocal anatomy.
1 Corinthians 14:15 reads: I will sing with my Spirit and I will sing with my understanding also.
When you lead, let your singing be undergirded with knowledge and understanding of your voice, how to use it and its impact on the listener.
Get started with my Personal Practice Routine Worksheet - Free Download
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Dionne Shand
@VoiceinMinistry @YourWorshipVocalCoach
Book Lessons
Call me:07733534529
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Vocal Training Books by Dionne
Start your vocal training journey today.
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