THE MISSING LINK BETWEEN SINGING, COMMUNICATING AND ... BUBBLE GUM
Have you ever heard two singers sing the same song only to have one sound like a musical robot, and the other a gifted communicator? The answer is probably, yes. If no recent example comes to mind, just think of a child, teenager or novice singing a well-known song made famous by a skilled artist.
What is the difference between the two performers? The novice simply sings words on assigned pitches. The mature communicator takes words and thoughts and integrates them into the music. This results in an audio and, if live performance, visual message. The goal of any singer should be the movement of the message from singer . . . to listener.
What are some steps you can take to be the best communicator you can be? Try these:
1. Build relationship with the song. You need to "get inside" the lyric and develop some degree of relationship with the message of the song. I suggest you begin by carefully studying the lyrics. Discover what you think the writer is saying and write these thoughts down. Next, write a brief summary of each verse and chorus in your own words. Add your personal thoughts, feelings and observations along the way. In other words, create your personal, "amplified version" of the song. As you move back to the original lyric you will have a fuller and deeper understanding of the writer's intended message. You and the song will have developed a relationship.
2. With the accompaniment playing, speak the words in very loose and approximate rhythm trying to stay more conversational, and talky than "singy." This helps you to color outside the lines a bit and experiment with different ways of saying/singing the same thing. In the process, you may discover some things. For instance, you may decide to start some phrases late, after the beat. Or, you may decide to anticipate the expected entrance and come in early because it just seems to make sense. You might also decide that holding out some words, even if you have to rush the words that follow, makes the message clearer. Some of the best song interpretations can be discovered quite by accident while experimenting with the song. Then, when you listen to gifted artists, you will recognize that some of these freedoms are what make their renditions the best. As you develop this process, you will be a more interesting singer and a better communicator. "
3. Where you breathe can make or break the song. The way you phrase the words by pausing . . . or not, breathing . . . or not can also help make the song yours. Obviously you need to breathe, but not necessarily where everybody assumes you will. Sometimes, connecting the end of one phrase to the beginning of the next, just makes the message clearer. A dramatic pause after just the right word can be equally powerful. Spend time really listening to some accomplished singers then experiment, experiment, experiment.
4. Use volume dynamics meaningfully. Have you even had to listen to someone speak who is absolutely monotone, boring and uninteresting? It all sounds the same, and the result is they lose their listener. The same can happen with singers. If everything is loud, then loud doesn't mean anything. In addition, the listener will suffer what is called ear fatigue, and everything will become all but meaningless. If everything is soft, then soft doesn't mean anything. It's all relative. Be interesting, and not always predictable. It will keep the listener's interest and be more fun for you.
5. Why is Double-Bubble gum pink? (Stay with me here!) I recently read that the person who invented the highly successful Double-Bubble gum discovered it quite by mistake. He did work for a chewing gum company, but there was no such thing as bubble gum. One day while experimenting at home (like you should be with your songs) he came across a mixture that allowed big bubbles, and was easy to peal off the face. But, it was clear in color, so he added the only food coloring he had in the house . . . pink. Double-Bubble is the most popular bubble gum to this day, and most all bubble gum is pink . . . and it was an "accident." Isn't it interesting how many good "accidents," and how much "good luck" happens to people who keep working at something? Hmm.
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