VOCALS / BGV ’ S Debi Selby
[ WM ] Tell us about how you got started singing ?
[ Debi Selby ] I started singing at the age of 14 at my Christian high school and church . I sang at various churches and events in northern California up until I moved to Nashville in the early 90s . I started doing vocal session work in Nashville when I was 24 through a friend I met at a Bible study who was a staff writer for Word . I began leading worship in my early 30s at a multi-cultural church where I was also in the choir .
[ WM ] Who were your main vocal influences ?
[ Debi ] As a young teen , Sandi Patty was my biggest influence and how I first became interested in singing . Later , Whitney Houston became a huge vocal influence and then CeCe Winans , who I ’ ve had the joy of working with many times .
[ WM ] Do you play an instrument ( s ) to accompany yourself ?
[ Debi ] I don ’ t right now , but I did play piano for many years . I ’ m currently working towards playing again to accompany myself for smaller events . I ’ m very spoiled in my church and in Nashville to have incredible musicians in all the bands I worship with . It allows me to concentrate on the vocal aspect of worship , which is my absolute favorite part . I also played flute for years and I keep telling my teams one day I will break it out when they least expect it . ( laughing )
[ WM ] Do you have a vocal warm up routine ? If so , tell us about it .
[ Debi ] I either do lip trill warm-ups or use my Singing Straw Pro . Lip trills are done by keeping your mouth closed and singing scales while blowing air through your lips like you ’ re imitating a car or airplane . This takes
Debi with CeCe Winans
the tension off of your vocal cords and allows you to warm up your entire range . The Singing Straw Pro uses basically the same concept , but the vocalizing is done through a metal straw . There are three different sizes and depending on which one you use , it allows for more or less air to come through , allowing a wide range of vocal warm up . It ’ s also great to use when you need to warm up in a hotel room or other place where you have to be quiet , as the vocal sound that comes through is very minimal . And in a pinch , use a regular straw ! I sing a slow , sliding octave ( starting around low C to middle C , back to low C twice in a row , then go up a half step ( low C # to middle C #, back to low C #) and up the scale until I ’ ve hit my highest range . Then I ’ ll do a few times of my lowest possible note , up to the highest and back down a few times .
[ WM ] What is your mindset when you are leading worship as the vocalist , compared to when you are singing as a backup vocalist ?