are passionate about cultivating the unique voice God has given them . What are some of the things you ’ ve done to develop your sound as worship leaders on a practical level in terms of technique , as well as finding your own unique approach ?
The Band and excellence .
[ WM ] Steffany , in a video Amanda posted on her Instagram feed you ’ re doing a vocal warmup singing major triads , ascending in increments of half-steps . How extensive is your knowledge of theory , and how deep does your musicianship go ?
[ Steffany ] I know that those are major triads , and they are half-steps , but I don ’ t ever use the language . I grew up in a musical household , but my knowledge and my ability to teach it are two very different things . It ’ s not the thing that I have studied so that I can stand in front of you and teach music theory . But my ears do hear the changes , like when people are singing harmonies using notes that don ’ t belong in the chord – it makes me banana-cakes ! I have good internal rhythm , and I always have a click in my ears . I feel and hear the music very clearly , and if you ’ re talking to me about music theory , most of the time I will know what you ’ re talking about . There are a few things that are above my pay grade ! But I ’ ve actually been going back and learning more than I did when I was younger . My mom was an incredible musician , but I became a little lazy . Vocally , I learned a lot over the years . Voice was my main instrument . So , my music theory isn ’ t as strong as I would like it to be , but I am still growing in my learning so that I can speak the language better .
[ WM ] Style ! Many , if not most , worship leaders
[ Steffany ] In a beautiful way , we ’ re always going to reflect the people who have changed our lives . As far as music goes , my influences are from mainstream as well as the church . If I were to list off all of the people that have affected me and influence my sound , it would make sense to you , you would be able to hear that bit of a sound in my voice . It ’ s like a baby who learns by mimicking sounds and repeating what they hear until they can speak for themselves . Then , they grow up and find their own voice , make their own sounds , and try out their own language . It ’ s been like that for me in worship . When I got to the place where I didn ’ t actually need to sound like someone else to feel safe or confident , then I started expanding and growing . There ’ s something beautiful about the sound of all of us singing with one voice , and no one needing to take the lead . That ’ s my dream , as a worship leader , that I could lead the people to a place where I completely disappear , and with one voice they just take over , find their own song , and lead themselves in worship . That ’ s my ‘ heaven ’ as a worship leader . I hope I ’ m out of a job soon – that ’ s my hope !
[ Kalley ] Bethel Music has provided vocal lessons for us , which is just amazing ! We ’ re talking about upkeep on an instrument , and we want to steward that really well and bring the
24 June 2018 WorshipMusician . com