Photo by Jason Jarrach on Unsplash participation of Jack and Jill congregant. As I move from listening to coaching- starting to point these problem areas out to the team and offer solutions- it’ s usually apparent that the team members have been completely unaware of the issues.
NOTE: Actually, there often is someone in the team who has the ability to listen and hear the problems- or at least some of them- but for one reason or another, they have never spoken up about them. But perhaps this is a topic for another article.
The team members have been hearing the problems, sure. Sound containing evidence of the problems have been entering their ears, but they have lacked the ability to critically listen, identify the problems specifically and know how to solve them.
As we work together to fix each problem area,( hopefully with a big dose of loving encouragement and a few good laughs as part of the whole adventure) unanimously, the team agree that the overall sound has improved. They can hear how the much more inviting the song is becoming for congregational participation.
This has led me to believe that the one vital musical skill that is essential for each of our team members to develop is the ability to listen critically. It’ s good to work on improving instrumental and vocal skill levels. Helpful to have good quality instruments and audio / video systems. Pick good songs and rehearse them well. Sure, these things help us get better at making sound. But the essential foundational skill for all is the ability to listen.
Sadly, tragically, this emphasis is often missed.
Thankfully, critical listening is a learned( and taught) skill. Sure, some people may have an innate,“ God-given” ability to listen better than other people, but I am convinced that, with some intentional focus and clear communication, each of your team members can be improving in this essential area. We can take steps to help!
Speak with your team about the importance of listening. Build a culture that encourages better, more intentional listening in( at least) these situations: 1) LISTEN to professionally produced sound recordings during personal preparation.
2) LISTEN to the instructions from the team leader.
3) LISTEN during a well-run, systematic, intentional sound-check.
4) LISTEN to the sounds being made by other team members. Make musical choices that respond to- show intentional consideration for- those other sounds.
5) LISTEN for the voice of your congregation. Are they singing? How well?
Granted, I have spent a large proportion of my life as a professional musician( hopefully) constantly improving and developing my ability to listen to music critically and know how to make improvements. We can’ t expect every team member to achieve“ pro levels” of critical musical listening. But we could all( myself included) stand to improve in our ability to listen.
Grant Norsworthy Grant is the founder of More Than Music Mentor- providing online & onsite training for the heart & the art of worshipping singers, instrumentalists & technicians. Grant’ a passion is to IMPROVE musicality, INCREASE participation, INSTILL unity & INSPIRE worship in The Church worldwide. An Aussie who also lived in Nashville, TN, USA for 17 years as a pro CCM muso, today Grant lives and works from his Nelson New Zealand home base.
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