If you are having a hard time getting people to sing out loud, here are some ideas.
KEY CHANGE:
1. Teach a song in a key (example: G)
2. Do that song for multiple weeks in that key.
3. Do the song again but transpose it to A or Bb. (People will know that they can sing the song and will feel more confident belting it out. Naturally, with the higher key, people will sing louder.)
VOLUME:
1. Try turning the volume up. (I know most churches hate volume, but it will make people feel more comfortable singing if they can't hear individuals around them.)
ENCOURAGE 'EM:
1. As you appropriately prod people to raise hands, clap, etc., continue to encourage them to sing aloud.
2. There are great verses on singing/shouting out to the Lord. Read them. (Ps 20:5; Ps 51:14; Ps 59:16-17; Ps 95:1-2)
REPETITION:
1. People have a hard time singing songs they do not know, so...be repetitious enough that people are familiar with the songs you are singing.
2. I highly recommend only introducing 1-2 new songs per month.
3. I also highly recommend singing an "oldie but goodie" a couple times a month. Things such as hymns and choruses are pivotal for a church with multiple generations in attendance.
I hope these are helpful for you. Leave a comment and let me know you stopped by!
PN
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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4 comments:
Good tips. I constantly encourage the turning up the volume idea. Our sound guys have a hard time with that.
People are so much more comfortable when the volume of the band is raised.
Totally agree. However, the problem is that you do have to keep it at a reasonable volume. So when the volume concept is tapped out, try some of the other options. They really work.
So how did you end up on rethinkingworship?
Nice thoughts. I'm interested in trying the "changing keys" thing. I wonder if that actually works.
I do agree that volume is a key element in congregation participation. There’s nothing worse than being self conscious that your neighbors are listening while you worship.
I have found that changing keys does work most of the time. David Crowder is famous for doing this. He takes every song that is written in G and plays it in Bb. His whole reasoning is to get the guys to sing louder. I thought it was just a funny joke till I tried it and it worked for me. Try it out. Maybe it will work, maybe not. Let us know!
And I totally agree with you about the volume thing. Its a delicate balance between just enough volume and too much volume. This question needs to be addressed: at what point do people feel most comfortable singing out loud?
PN
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