VOCALS
EMOTIONS | Sheri Gould
“ Emotions ”: by the BeeGees “… It ' s just emotion that ' s taken me over , tied up in sorrow , lost in my soul …”
People often ask me about emotions and singing : Is it appropriate to show emotion ? What if I get overcome with emotion ? How much is too much ? etc … Whether you are a seasoned professional or someone who sings in the shower , you ’ ve likely experienced the power of a well sung song . This is part of the wonder of music and especially music with lyrics . All types of music can be powerfulcreating and inspiring images and feelings of all kinds . But music that involves lyrics has the potential to direct your thoughts to a specific place . That is what sets us , as vocalists , apart from the instruments .
IT ’ S ALL ABOUT ME ? Here is where it gets tricky . Whose emotions actually matter ? I believe that many amateur ( and even some professional ) singers misunderstand the role of emotions in singing and delivering a song . You see , we often believe that in order to make a song feel / look powerful that we need to experience the song while we ’ re singing it . Honestly , this couldn ’ t be further from the truth . There are multiple parts to making a song powerful , but you experiencing the emotions of it , while you are singing it , isn ’ t one of them . In fact , your emotions will likely only get in the way of your actual “ job ” as a singer .
WHAT IS MY “ JOB ” AS A SINGER ? In actuality , your primary purpose , as a singer , is to provide the right atmosphere for your audience to have a powerful experience . It ’ s not about your experience . In fact , we often , inadvertently ruin the potential for a great audience experience by having an emotional experience ourselves instead ! This takes the focus off the audience and puts it on the singer .
Let ’ s use something very simple that most of us have experienced . Nerves . When a singer is obviously nervous , it discomfits their audience . They are suddenly very aware of the singer as a person ( not simply a performer ). The natural tendency is to feel empathic toward the nervous party and before you know it , the entire focus has become about the singer - not the message of the song or the experience the singer was hoping to provide for the audience .
Likewise , if we are overcome by a song because of our personal relationship to it , the opportunity for the audience to experience it will be lost . When my Mom passed away , I was asked to sing my Mom and Dad ’ s favorite love song at her memorial service . The song held many memories for me and it was difficult for me to sing even two bars without melting into tears . That was natural of course , but what would have happened if I had allowed those emotions to come through when I stood up to sing at the service ? The people in the audience would definitely have an experience , but not the one I wanted them to have . They would have all been thinking about me , feeling sorry for me , thinking about my sorrow . Instead , I strove to deliver the song in a way which allowed the audience to think about my Mom , to remember her and my father dancing to this wonderful song and feel their own emotions with regard to their loss .
BUT HOW ? We are in control of where we allow our mind or emotions to travel when we sing . In the case of my Mom ’ s funeral , I chose to allow myself to experience the emotions the first few times I sang through the song . I sang through and past my own emotions . After that , I forced myself to prepare the song from a technical point of view . Good vocal technique is ultimately what will make a song powerful . Not the singer ’ s emotions . I often use Whitney Houston ’ s version of “ I ’ ll Always Love You ” as an illustration of various techniques because its familiar to most and often so applicable , it doesn ’ t disappoint in this instance . You don ’ t hear her emotion coming through the song as though she ’ s actually experiencing them . Instead , what you hear is her creative use of style , resonance and power to create a feeling in you the audience . She does a marvelous job of taking you through an emotional journey with her , not by displaying or tapping into her own emotions but by demonstrating her feelings of sadness , loss , vulnerability and then newfound strength to go on all by way of her vocal delivery . There is a big difference between the two and is evidenced by the extreme popularity of her version of the song .
The song I quoted in the beginning of this article is a perfect example of what not to do as a singer . We have a job to do and we need to stay focused if we want to do it well .
God bless you as you sing for Him !
Sheri Gould Sheri is an internationally acclaimed vocal coach . She ’ s been helping artists and worshipers find their voice for over 40 years . For help and resources visit her site . www . SheriGould . com