Expression 101

Posted by Kris on Mar 7th, 2010 | 1 comment

Do you look pleasant while you are singing? Do you smile occasionally? If someone in the audience or congregation was watching you sing would they want to join in? Do you look super freaked out when you are on the platform/stage? :-)

Expression = what body language you are using, how you convey the emotion of the song, and your overall vocal tone. This seems to be a topic I’ve been emphasizing a lot lately while teaching at various vocal clinics. How a singer handles his/her physical body during a song can either greatly distract me or greatly encourage me to enjoy their song. If I’m greatly distracted I just find myself praying for them to “make it through” the song and don’t get the chance to really be ministered to by the lyrics of the song. If the singer is conveying good expression I find myself pulling for them and wanting to join them on the song. So if you are a singer on a worship team, back-ground vocalist, or choir member let’s talk about how you can make me feel more comfortable if I happen to be in the congregation or audience that day. :-) Well actually, I’m not concerned about “me” but really the Body of Christ you are serving or whomever you happen to be singing in front of that day.

Smile! This is huge! – Are you having fun singing :-) or is it a chore? If you don’t enjoy it – maybe it’s not for you. Oh ouch. We all need work in this area – I did a whole blog on the topic. (See Singing and Smiling for even more details.) Even on harder notes, parts, or harmonies at least THINK smile. :-)  This makes a huge difference PLUS it helps your tone and intonation (whether you stay on pitch or not). Usually in vocal classes, I will have ½ of the group turn and face the other ½ and simply add a smile as much as possible the whole time through a chorus. Yes, they all may feel very weird but the observing half notices a huge difference. We will then repeat the exercise with the other half smiling and singing. Wow – I also cannot fully tell you (you have to see it) the difference it makes when the entire choir or ensemble looks happy when they are singing. This can add such a positive dynamic to the church worship atmosphere and really encourages the congregation to participate!

Move – really it’s ok. Yes, it feels totally awkward when you first make this a habit and yes, people are watching you. In my opinion, if you are not moving you become even more of a distraction and look super stiff. Ok so how do we move on the platform/stage? How about clapping, raising your hand/hands, keeping the beat by a knee bend, taking a few steps here and there, and even jumping around. Now if people usually jump around at your church then great, if not you might want to keep it a little more low-key. :-)

Clapping can be a great start – if you are cool you will also clap on beats 2 and 4 and not 1 and 3 if you know what I mean. Keep in mind not to slap or abuse the microphone nor clap directly into the mic, unless directed by your leader. You can also clap your arm or leg/thigh if holding a mic. Choir members should clap lightly or “fake-clap” as the overhead choir microphones are usually turned up quite a bit and that many people clapping can become a sound nightmare. 

Take a few steps occasionally. You might want to move up during a chorus for emphasis, slowly move back as another singer moves forward. It may feel very odd but looks quite natural to the viewer. If you’re brave then learn to jump around – keeping in mind that eventually you need to sing. So don’t wear yourself out if you are not an aerobics champion. It’s very hard to sing and jump at the same time. Sometimes though the song just demands a lot of action and we can get excited. You can also keep the beat by bending a knee and bouncing a little – it’s much easier to sing this way then actually jumping.

Raising your hands – This is so biblical and is a sign of praise and surrender all at the same time. Practice moving the mic easily from hand to hand and keep in mind that you can raise both hands, one hand, put your hand out to the side, raise it half-way, etc. Let’s be real and free to express genuine adoration to our Lord.

Tone – humm better save that one ‘till next time. I want to discuss how to vocally express a song by singing smooth, loud, soft, or with a breathy tone.

Remember the bottom line in all expression is serving the congregation by being an example and encouraging them to praise, worship, and join in! Ok, so enough WORDS about expression let’s just WATCH:

1. This clip is from New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Talk about happy and having fun – yes! Check out the choir shots too – they are swaying and smiling.

New Life Church link  (this will open the video) 

2. Here is another song video to check out called, “Power of the Cross” by Ricardo Sanchez. The verse lyrics are a story and their content not smiling material but rather need to be pronounced well – as they are. Each singer is moving and expressing the song’s intensity. A couple of times you can see a singer purposefully take a few steps forward. Plus this song is COOL!

Free Chapel link  (this will open the video)

So happy EXPRESSING!  :-)

One Response

1. Ginger Darrington says:

   March 24, 2010 at 10:49 am

   I am grateful for your expertise. Thanks for the reminders!!!

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