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Singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs is an essential and important part of our public worship. For in song we both “speak to one another” and offer praise to God. It is important, therefore, that we carefully consider what we sing and the manner in which we sing.
Attention should also be given to how we sing. For example, the song "We’re Marching To Zion" is a fast paced and joyful song. It does the song no justice nor is anyone edified when it is sung at a slow pace.
Wallace Little wrote:
“In the classes for young preacher-students I teach in the Philippines, I have stressed what I call ‘THE THREE CARDINAL SINS OF SONG LEADERS.’ They are:
1) Too low;
2) Too slow; and
3) Leading a song I don't know.”
The author of each song intended it to be sung in a particular way. It is virtually impossible to lead many songs as the composer intended if one does not know music. It is important, therefore, that a congregation choose “qualified” men to lead the singing. This doesn’t mean they have to be professionals but they should have both a basic understanding of music and at least an average singing voice. Smaller congregations are more likely to not have men with knowledge of music.
This material is intended to help current song leaders, those who might desire to serve in that capacity, and the congregation to be more effective in singing. IF YOU ARE A SONG LEADER, OR WANT TO BE, THEN WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING ADVISE:
Obtain some books and increase your knowledge of music. Make a list of the songs you intend to lead. Have the list with you when you lead the songs and make note of the order of services as well, i.e., whom is to lead the prayer, when the Lord’s Supper is to be taken etc. Consider keeping a couple of lists of song numbers in your bible or wallet for those times when the other song leader(s) doesn't make it and you are called on at the last minute to lead singing.
Songs have different levels of difficulty. Choose songs that are within your and the congregations ability to sing. If you are a beginning song leader things will go much better if you choose songs that are well known by the congregation.
Ensure that you are in the right frame of mind, adopt a confident posture, smile, and make sure you can be heard. Once the entire congregation knows a song and is singing it well it may be best for some song leaders, in some situations, to back off on volume.
Make a special effort to pitch the song properly.
Among the most common errors committed by new song leaders is to sing the song too low, and/or too slow. If the song is too low, the base cannot sing it. If the pitch is too high, the singers will have to strain and may not be able to sing it at all. If the song is sung too slowly it will be more difficult to sing and, in some cases, will virtually spoil the song. Use a pitch pipe if you are not confident you can pitch correctly by ear.
Encourage everyone to follow your lead and pace and sing in the spirit that the song demands. If you or the congregation fails in this respect, do not be afraid to halt the singing, make appropriate comments and restart.
Vary the tempo, otherwise singing can become monotonous. Some songs require a change in tempo and would be completely ineffective if not sung as the composer intended.
Choose songs that complement each part of the service.
Begin a service with one or two lively songs to create an uplifting atmosphere. Also, the preacher may appreciate and benefit from a lively song immediately before his sermon.
Avoid being repetitive, choose a variety of songs for each service and try to learn one new song each month.
Occasionally and briefly, remind the brethren what the Scriptures teach concerning singing (Eph. 5:19; Col 3:16).
Do not omit stanzas of a song unless you have a reason for so doing. Never skip to the last stanza without noting what you are doing if the first words of the previous stanzas are the same. Doing so makes the congregation have to guess which stanza you are intending to sing next, and such often results in an embarrassing situation, such as a pause (by all except the leader) or some singing one stanza and others singing another.
Some song leaders like to give some background on the author of a particular song or expound on their meaning. This is fine but ‘keep it short.’ Avoid unnecessary talk.
Raise your hand or something to give clear indication exactly when you are about to start. This will help assure that everyone starts on the first word rather than three or four word into the song.
Look for and correct inconsistencies. The same note in one place should sound the same in another place. Even if you can't read notes, pay attention to how they go up and down on the staff. It will help assure that you are correct, or at least that you are on the right song. Two songs may have identical words at the beginning of the stanza, but are different songs and sung very differently. It may be helpful for you to pat your foot if you have difficulty with keeping the time correctly.
Consider the make-up of your audience before choosing songs. For example, if the numbers are very few and no one can sing alto or bass then the song ‘Our God, He Is Alive’ would not be appropriate.
Don't call stanzas "lines".
Don't hold your book with both hands. It looks awkward and inelegant.
Lead songs that teach truth and not error. We have a few songs that teach some of the tenants of premillennialism and/or Calvinism that should probably be avoided altogether.
Conclusion:
Few congregations are composed of "poor singers," but some give that impression because of a poor song leader. If you are or want to be a song leader, give it your best shot. You may be the best available and the congregation may be completely dependent upon you. There are books, as well as schools to help you learn. Also, there are men that may be employed to come to your congregation and help not only you but also the entire congregation.
If you are a song leader but don’t have the ability, motivation or incentive to become better, then at least don’t stand in the way of someone else who might could learn to be a good song leader. Find and encourage someone else and help him in every way you can.
General Definitions (“Ear Training and Sight Singing” by George Wedge):
- “Music” – an art, the medium of which is sound.
- Musical Sound or “Tone” differs from noise in that it has a regular and fixed number of vibrations per second. Tone possesses four properties – Pitch, Duration, Quality and Quantity.
- “Pitch” is determined by the number of vibrations per second.
- “Tempo” is the rate or speed at which a song is sung. Tempo is generally measured in beats per minute.
- “Duration” of a sound is the length of time the vibrations continue.
- “Quality” or Color of a sound is determined by the instrument, which produces the sound.
- “Quantity” of a sound is determined by the volume; i.e., it is loud or soft.
- Musical tones are represented upon paper by “notes”.
- “Staff” – horizontal lines on which notes are placed. Each line and space represents a definite pitch.
[The above material was put together by Robert Waters with the help of David Cambridge and contributions from the following men who are on Mars-list: Jon Quinn, Phil Garner, James Needham, Rob Perkins, Wallace H. Little, Stephen R. Bradd, Howard B. Justice, Devin C. Lindsey, Ronald Nelson, Steve Chetelat and Dave Lytle. Copy the material and use or publish as you please.]
PS: Something for preachers. Prepare your lesson BEFORE the singing rather then DURING it. This will assure that you are not heard chiming in loudly occasionally.
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