VOCALS
Shaina Silver-Baird of Ghost Caravan is a professional singer , actor , and songwriter . As someone who has lost people in her life , most importantly her father , Shaina has always felt that some essence of these people was around to help her out . Her songs originate from this caravan of ghosts . Despite the fact that the music can be dark , she feels that Ghost Caravan is uplifting . She is also the lead singer of folk band Crooked House Road and holds a BFA in theatre performance from York University .
By Shaina Silver-Baird
How to Deliver Lyrics
The performance of lyrics is often one of the most overlooked aspects of a singer ’ s trade . But as both a performer and a writer , I often feel that it is also one of the most important . We coach and train and practice , focusing on breath and tone , belting and falsetto – in other words ,“ how it sounds ” – and then we often fail to take into account WHAT we are saying .
Granted , sound is very important . Let ’ s call the sound or tone step one . You need the sound to be made physically and translated to an audience to be a singer . But we cannot stop there .
I think what people really connect to is the person on stage or on the recording . The more present you can be , the more you can connect to the subject of what you are saying , the more your listeners will be moved . In other words , if you can deliver lyrics with presence and personality , people will want to listen .
How else can you attest for the success and entrancing power of singers like Bob Dylan and Neil Young who ( dare I say ) are not singers so much as masters of delivering lyrics . What if we can combine both vocal technique AND storytelling ?
Personalize Whether you ’ re covering a song or singing an original , you need to personalize the lyrics . This is probably easiest with songs you ’ ve written recently based on strong feelings or experiences , because the subject of your words is fresh in your mind and heart . But as time goes on , you may become more removed from that initial inspiration and the emotion dulls . Most singers simply allow this to happen and the words become a conduit for the melody . But really great performers find a way to make the lyrics potent every time they sing them .
Find a relationship or situation in your life RIGHT NOW that makes you feel the way the song demands . It doesn ’ t have to be a perfect match . For example , I have a song I wrote in the midst of a heart-wrenching breakup ( don ’ t we all ), but that heartbreak has since healed . I will now use those same lyrics to describe whatever is hurting me at the moment . It might be an interaction I had with a friend , impatience with my career , or a story on the news . I think about that person or experience before I launch into the song and it gives me an inner emotional boost . I am now fully present . I am telling a story .
Find Images for the Words Have you ever noticed that when you watch someone tell a story , their eyes move minutely as if they are seeing what they are describing ? When we tell a story to someone , we see what we are describing in our mind ’ s eye . Think of yourself as a storyteller . Even though you are singing , you are sharing a story with your audience . If you see the images of the story as you ’ re singing them , the audience will , too . As part of your rehearsal , imagine images that correspond with the words . Once you ’ ve dreamed them up , they ’ ll cycle through your head as you sing the lyrics and it ’ ll be like you ’ re watching your own personal movie . Place those images beyond the microphone so you ’ re sharing them with your audience .
For example , these lyrics appear in my song “ Heart ”:
The weight drags me down The spotlight can ’ t find me But you ’ re still here with me
For me , this image has me standing in the middle of a huge , empty , dark theatre . A man ( the one I ’ m in love with … go figure ) steps up from behind me to hold my hand .
Now Stop Thinking About It You ’ ve done the prep , you ’ ve decided what the lyrics mean , you ’ ve personalized them , you ’ ve dreamed up images . Now just sing the song . Sounds so easy , right ? Not necessarily . But if you ’ ve dreamed and personalized those images and emotions , it will all be there . I like to “ drop in ” ( an acting term , but in a way singers are much like actors ), before a song . Think of that person or situation that is important to you right now and then launch into the tune .
But most importantly , don ’ t be tied to anything that you prepared . When you are truly present and personal , images and emotions will change , your thoughts will weave between lyrics and audience , memory and discovery . Let it happen , because as you tell a story the lyrics themselves may not change , but the meaning can . You will always have your inner movie to fall back on . Just remember , you are telling a story ; the audience is your listener and the song is your medium .
Finally , these are suggestions , not rules . This is what works for me . Try it and then develop your own technique . We are all different and our instruments work in different ways . Learn yours intimately because , as singers , our instruments are ourselves : physically , emotionally , and mentally .
32 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN