Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites [1] Comments

Please wait...

I want to spend some time talking about song interpretation. You don't hear much about interpretation in Southern Gospel music but it is what sells the song to your audience and makes a song come alive. Our job, as singers, is to take the lyrics of a song and explain or translate the lyrics and emotion of the song. Many times this very act alone is what makes a group have that professional sound. So let's talk about what makes interpretation work in our music.

First, we want to remember to stay focused on the lyrics of the song. We can't let our minds wonder or be distracted while we are singing. Because you have sung a song over and over we tend to just sing through it and not concentrate on what we are saying and that will not give meaning to the song. We should concentrate on the lyrisc as though it were the first time we have ever sung the song. Your listening audience may not have heard it from your heart and with your interpretation, but if they have, make it so good that they willl want to hear it again. I know when someone as done a great job on interpretation when they sing a song I have heard many times and it sounds so fresh and new that I can't help but be drawn in to the songs lyrics.

The next thing you want to do is to match the music or sound track. Listen closely to the volume and dynamics of the track. This will tell you when to sing loud or when to be soft and gentle. Musicians are great on interpretation and if you follow their lead they will help you deliever the lyrics. The biggest part of the groups I work with want to sing at one volume level when I first start working with them and that is loud. There is no interpretation or dynamics in this kind of singing. And remember that loud is not quality it's just loud. Work on toneing down and listening up.

The third thing is to remember that diction delievers. If your audience can not understand your words, you have sung in vain. The Bible says, "The Word" changes hearts but if they don't hear your words it will not do a thing to their heart. Make every effort to sing your words with and open mouth and clear diction.

Body language is another interpretation tool. Communication is said to be 50 to 55% visual. If that is true then our audience needs to see our songs in our body language. All songs sound different so they should also look different Many of my students tell me that they just don't do that in their church, sing using their hands or move on stage. How boring that must be to an audience. It is only because no one has done it that it seems wrong to everyone. I have not found it in the Bible anywhere that says if you move something while singing you would be lost forever. Stand in front of a mirror and work on this skill. It will feel strange at first but work on it until you feel natural with your moves before you use it on stage. Then watch your audience's expressions change to enjoyment.

And last, make your songs personal. It is always easier to speak from your own personal experience. Pick your song material from the things you identify with and not just because your favorite artist sings it or because it is a top 40 song. Keep it personal. If the song lyrics challenges the listener to examine some aspect of their spiritual life, be sure that you've allowed God to work in that area of your life. Preach only what you practice. Your audience can tell if it is from your heart or your head. Make it from the heart!

Now that colder weather has arrived things will slow down some, now is the time after the holidays, to work on your vocals. Give me a call or email me and we will set a time for you to have a few days in Nashville, TN and we can work together. My email address is or call (615) 886-7082.

I want to wish everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas. And my pray for each of you for the New Year is Good Health and Prosperity. Until next year, keep singing His praises!

Reader Comments

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member?

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: