Hey Crash-ers,
Today’s Rapid 5 comes from a dear friend of ours, Holly Watson. We met Holly many years ago when she was a talented singer and pure-hearted worship leader in Hillsong United. Since then, we have served in church together; she’s been a worship and creative pastor and, in this new season, a vocal coach over at the worshipteamroom.com - here are her 5 tips for all aspiring singers… and they’re helpful for the rest of us too 😉.
5 things worth sharing this week.
SING FROM HOME.
Sing from a place of belonging.
Since moving from my homeland in Australia more than a decade ago, I often find myself searching for that sense of home. That safe, familiar place where you belong - where you can rest and be yourself. When you know who you are and confidently sing from that place, people can connect with that authentic emotion—it’s captivating!
To grow in your expression - try reading the song lyrics out loud, and say it like you would express it to a friend. Notice where you naturally add emotion and emphasis. Bring all of that character into your singing voice too!
BE HUMAN.
Your voice is your instrument.
Just as the beautiful, messy, deep, heartfelt things that make us human are all wrapped up in our craft, your instrument is also physical. You need to think of yourself as a pro athlete! Your voice can be in shape or out of shape. Incorporate daily workouts and warm-ups to set yourself up for the big game.
There are so many things we can do to build the strength and condition of our voice. Protect your voice, make health a priority, and sing with longevity. Our voice loves rest and hydration! Something I love to use, especially when I need a little boost, is this little personal humidifier.
BE INSPIRED.
Your voice is your art.
Sometimes it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck or settle where you’re at. But it’s actually amazing the growth you can experience in your sound when you motivate yourself! Your voice is your art - Have fun and explore it! Expand your sound. One of my favorite singers told me years back that they would play a BoysIIMen album and pause it after every line to mimic what they heard. They wouldn’t hit play for the next line until they had perfected each phrase with accuracy.
Listen and sing with other artists you admire to stir up that creative energy. Here are a couple of playlists of challenging songs to get you motivated for more -
Holly’s lists are amazing: click on the links below to access them all
FIND YOUR VOICE.
Get a singing teacher.
You can be doing all those things right above, but without the right vocal technique, you’ll be working way too hard to attempt to produce the sound you want!
My Mum put me in singing lessons when I was 15. I’ve had amazing vocal teachers over the years that walked alongside me, encouraged me, and pulled out gifts that were inside me. They shaped my technique. They helped me to stay disciplined to look after my craft. They gave me the courage to find my voice.
I think that’s why I love coaching singers today!
GET HELP
Holly writes…
I’d love to help you to find your best voice and sing with freedom.
Connect with me at worshipteamroom.com
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
If you’re enjoying the Rapid 5 but need more practical help with leading, growing, and pastoring worship & creative teams, then the Rhino Journals & Community is for you.
The Shepherd of the Storm.
Below we invite you into a different space. As we retell the story of a week in the life of Jesus and his disciples, look for yourself in the story. Think about the storms in your life. Think about where you’re heading. Could it be that Jesus knows about your storm? Could it be that his eyes are on you in the storm? Perhaps the storm is a call to worship? And that your destination is not a desert but a place of worship?
Grace and Peace,
Rich & Cass
Same here. Loved reading and exploring this one. As a fellow singer and vocal coach this is definitely my cup of tea
Thanks @hollywatson for your contribution. Loved reading this one