I agree that there should be pain in the midsection from singing. If your stomach muscles aren't cramping, you're not supporting your voice as much as you could. But pain in your throat means you aren't using something right. You shouldn't have to strain your vocal cords for god to hear you. God can hear you just fine if you are belting out a note on key by using the proper support from your diaphragm. If god gave you the gift of a beautiful voice don't abuse it.
@tjbridgeconnection, agreed. In my first year of choir, my director got annoyed with me because I wasn't tired after several dozen run throughs of a song we were trying to get down. What can I say, I don't strain my voice beyond what I know I'm capable of.
Good post. I have been singing gospel for years, but have very little formal training. It seems very difficult to find voice coaches in the gospel method. Any recommendations for a vocal coach in southern California?
As a voice coach myself, I must say... that you are telling the TRUTH!!! When you sing period, it does not require pain. It requires a lot of energy when using your diaphragm and sending breath and vocal vibration through your vocal-focus line, but you are so right! I once heard a director say, " Yall should be tired after this song!" and he got mad at me when I said that I wasn't! As I learned vocal technique I realized that if it hurts, most of the time, you are doing something WRONG! YES!!!
@taciturnboy88 when u sings with chest voice it stops u from getting to head voice .And sing with chest voice belting can damage your voice i was a chest voice singer i had training now i can do shift and runs and i have a beautiful head voice and make sure that u breath properly .I would say invest in a voice teacher i know they are expenisive because i pay 65 dollars for only 30 minutes u don"t have to go everyweek good luck.
I never heard about the pain thing. I use to sing in church I never had any lessons or so. But my goal was NOT to feel pain when i'm singing. If it was hurting than I had to do something about it. Because while singing I don't want to focus on the pain but focus on giving my all to God
i agree with this man... because God called us also to be administrators of the things he gave us... and one of them is singing.... the pain is not good when you sing because you lose voice...
I never heard this about pain (thank you God)... but I wanna say WOOT! You're speaking truth from the heart of God, and that speaks volumes about the integrity of your character. Thanks, man.
When you get up to sing in front of a church, and all you're doing is trying to stay on key or trying to sound good, then all youre doing is trying to put on a show! You want all the glory. BUT if you're truly singing for the Lord, then it doesn't matter if you're on key...it may sound better... but it doesnt matter! Im a preacher... i sing... and in Psalms in the Bible, it says, Make a joyful noise unto the LORD!! not to your church. Amen
I think you and a few others may be missing the point of this video. At no point in this video do I mention singing to sound good, or anything at all about how Gospel singing should sound. The focus is centered entirely on singing with pain and how it is often accepted as normal in the Gospel music genre. My video is simply to point out that it is NOT normal, nor is it a sign you're giving God 100%. The video doesn't mention "sounding good".
@rbcross yeah i remember when i was a christian, when i started singing in the youth chior my voice was light, i was the only guy that sounded like a girl. so i would intensionally lower my voice to the point where i would feel a lump in my throat. so i jus learned to accept my natural voice, LUCKLY it naturally deepend and i was one of the best singers in the chior
but i think when it comes to singing VOICE MANIPULATION is a big issue for most of us. we want to sound like somthiung were not
@ohssoccer51352 If a joyful noise is just any noise, why did God make music with keys and notes. We learn sound and pitch from the instruments created. I am a firm believer that God receives genuine praise from anyone who's heart is sincere. At the same time a person singing out of key and unable to hold their pitch is no more joyful than someone on an instrument who doesn't know how to play it. Our voice is our first instrument and I believe we should learn to use it well or try something else.
While I agree that pain is a bad idea in any singing, gospel music still needs to be FELT. I've been singing all kinds of music for years & one thing I believe with all my heart is that ALL music should have passion & true feeling behind it. Emotion is very important in singing. I don't sing gospel because there's no emotion in it for me... But here's a tip for any future videos you might want to post: If you're going to post videos about singing, make it about SINGING, not God.
@PixieGiggles33, I must admit when I read your comment I wondered why someone who doesn't sing Gospel would even watch a video that is clearly about singing Gospel music. But then I got to the last sentence and I realized that perhaps you watched this video expecting it to be some negative rant bashing the genre.
The video is not about God, it's about singing; Gospel music in particular. As such, your comment is kinda like asking someone to make a video about love songs without mentioning love.
This is the truth..thank you for this! I can say that i've been in groups where they tell you to "PUSH!" and "Sometimes it's gon hurt a little but your range will grow and you can sing any song in any key"..I figured since all of these singers were AMAZING that it was okay contrary to what my operatic vocal coach taught me..now my voice is more raspy..I do have more upper range but less lower and my tone has suffered in my opinion(less pure)..so PLEASE take this advice before it's too late..
LOL!@ "hold pain in such high regard!" "Pain is not good" My Dad always told me, If it hurts when you do that, dont do that! Because leaders in the local Gospel Music Department as a whole are generally self taught we pass along ideas that seem to be right. As a choir director/MD, Im here looking for techiniques from professionals to correct some of these Gospel Legends! lol! But thanks for posting good advice Doc. What device do you use to record and burn cds at 1 sitting of a lesson?
@ggmworkshop , there are many software options for recording live information and burning it to cd. However I use a stand-alone piece of equipment called a "Super Scope". It's a little pricey but worth it's weight in Gold. I can record the sessions in real time, making new tracks as I go so the student can go straight to certain sections. At the end I push a button and in 2 minutes it burns it all to cd.
Sing as you are lead, and how ever your style is a=you sing your style. God gave you the gift for a reason. It doesnt mean you are trying to be like anybody as long as you us it a personal praise to God. Its nothing wrong with ya holler your shout or anything else. you prase God how you feel like it is in your heart!
Thnaks 4 posting this! I never heard that saying about pain, but I'm glad you put it out for us..Also, please post about growling, hollering, screaming with ur voice! In gospel, I understand "as the Holy spirit leads" the singer!.. but currently in the gospel world, there are too many Kim Burrells and J.Moss' style singers. That seems to be the norm in churches and I wonder what happened to the purity of song. It's okay to finesse it, but why r so many singers using excessive vocal acrobatics?
Thank you! I'm glad you pointed it out for folk who might be misled. I've got nothing against hard work, but hurting ourselves isn't hard work, it's just dumb. I think I'd have to leave a choir or church who wanted me to damage any part of myself, voice included! Why would Our Lord give us something, wanting us to destroy it? Our gifts are ours to enjoy, to bless others, and to praise Him!
its like equating poverty to christianity,trus me God provides for his children,even makes some of them wealthy that is really a bad mentality to have,but u know the devil is the author of confusion and thats confusion to me,pain has nothing to do with singing in the spirit,in fact you probly shouldnt be in pain cause that means youre probly striveing,just my opinion,nothing is gospel,no pun intended
I wasn't aware of the 'pain theory', but sounds interesting to me. Will start off on those cramps...
StanPoet 2 months ago
Good advice!!! I was waiting on you to say that "loudest" isn't always the best either!!! Pain #2 the throat!
hopeforyou02 3 months ago
I agree that there should be pain in the midsection from singing. If your stomach muscles aren't cramping, you're not supporting your voice as much as you could. But pain in your throat means you aren't using something right. You shouldn't have to strain your vocal cords for god to hear you. God can hear you just fine if you are belting out a note on key by using the proper support from your diaphragm. If god gave you the gift of a beautiful voice don't abuse it.
AdonisKontos 3 months ago
@tjbridgeconnection, agreed. In my first year of choir, my director got annoyed with me because I wasn't tired after several dozen run throughs of a song we were trying to get down. What can I say, I don't strain my voice beyond what I know I'm capable of.
jameseatsghosts 4 months ago
Good post. I have been singing gospel for years, but have very little formal training. It seems very difficult to find voice coaches in the gospel method. Any recommendations for a vocal coach in southern California?
stephluv7707 7 months ago
@stephluv7707 , I sure don't man. But I teach voice lessons on Skype. I'd love to work with you. Hit me up at The Music Ministry Coach dot com.
rbcross 7 months ago
As a voice coach myself, I must say... that you are telling the TRUTH!!! When you sing period, it does not require pain. It requires a lot of energy when using your diaphragm and sending breath and vocal vibration through your vocal-focus line, but you are so right! I once heard a director say, " Yall should be tired after this song!" and he got mad at me when I said that I wasn't! As I learned vocal technique I realized that if it hurts, most of the time, you are doing something WRONG! YES!!!
tjbridgeconnection 7 months ago
I have a question, how do gospel singers reach such high notes in Chest voice ?? Is it safe ???
taciturnboy88 9 months ago
@taciturnboy88 when u sings with chest voice it stops u from getting to head voice .And sing with chest voice belting can damage your voice i was a chest voice singer i had training now i can do shift and runs and i have a beautiful head voice and make sure that u breath properly .I would say invest in a voice teacher i know they are expenisive because i pay 65 dollars for only 30 minutes u don"t have to go everyweek good luck.
sweeter23 8 months ago
I never heard about the pain thing. I use to sing in church I never had any lessons or so. But my goal was NOT to feel pain when i'm singing. If it was hurting than I had to do something about it. Because while singing I don't want to focus on the pain but focus on giving my all to God
xaasda 11 months ago
Good info!!!
2010Pianogirl 1 year ago
i agree with this man... because God called us also to be administrators of the things he gave us... and one of them is singing.... the pain is not good when you sing because you lose voice...
roger0389 1 year ago
I never heard this about pain (thank you God)... but I wanna say WOOT! You're speaking truth from the heart of God, and that speaks volumes about the integrity of your character. Thanks, man.
GlennDiddit 1 year ago
I ccompletely understand! but i was just giving my spill about singing, brother.
ohssoccer51352 1 year ago
When you get up to sing in front of a church, and all you're doing is trying to stay on key or trying to sound good, then all youre doing is trying to put on a show! You want all the glory. BUT if you're truly singing for the Lord, then it doesn't matter if you're on key...it may sound better... but it doesnt matter! Im a preacher... i sing... and in Psalms in the Bible, it says, Make a joyful noise unto the LORD!! not to your church. Amen
ohssoccer51352 1 year ago 9
@ohssoccer51352 ,
I think you and a few others may be missing the point of this video. At no point in this video do I mention singing to sound good, or anything at all about how Gospel singing should sound. The focus is centered entirely on singing with pain and how it is often accepted as normal in the Gospel music genre. My video is simply to point out that it is NOT normal, nor is it a sign you're giving God 100%. The video doesn't mention "sounding good".
rbcross 1 year ago 2
@rbcross yeah i remember when i was a christian, when i started singing in the youth chior my voice was light, i was the only guy that sounded like a girl. so i would intensionally lower my voice to the point where i would feel a lump in my throat. so i jus learned to accept my natural voice, LUCKLY it naturally deepend and i was one of the best singers in the chior
but i think when it comes to singing VOICE MANIPULATION is a big issue for most of us. we want to sound like somthiung were not
arab3515 1 year ago
@ohssoccer51352 If a joyful noise is just any noise, why did God make music with keys and notes. We learn sound and pitch from the instruments created. I am a firm believer that God receives genuine praise from anyone who's heart is sincere. At the same time a person singing out of key and unable to hold their pitch is no more joyful than someone on an instrument who doesn't know how to play it. Our voice is our first instrument and I believe we should learn to use it well or try something else.
rcbjr1970 4 months ago
@rcbjr1970 Amen
StanPoet 2 months ago
first off when u r singing gospel its not about singing about god its all in singing for god
Jwdavis90 1 year ago
While I agree that pain is a bad idea in any singing, gospel music still needs to be FELT. I've been singing all kinds of music for years & one thing I believe with all my heart is that ALL music should have passion & true feeling behind it. Emotion is very important in singing. I don't sing gospel because there's no emotion in it for me... But here's a tip for any future videos you might want to post: If you're going to post videos about singing, make it about SINGING, not God.
PixieGiggles33 1 year ago
@PixieGiggles33, I must admit when I read your comment I wondered why someone who doesn't sing Gospel would even watch a video that is clearly about singing Gospel music. But then I got to the last sentence and I realized that perhaps you watched this video expecting it to be some negative rant bashing the genre.
The video is not about God, it's about singing; Gospel music in particular. As such, your comment is kinda like asking someone to make a video about love songs without mentioning love.
rbcross 1 year ago
can i have the cd??
2010puddah 1 year ago
Thank you for this great information
mruth55 1 year ago
This is the truth..thank you for this! I can say that i've been in groups where they tell you to "PUSH!" and "Sometimes it's gon hurt a little but your range will grow and you can sing any song in any key"..I figured since all of these singers were AMAZING that it was okay contrary to what my operatic vocal coach taught me..now my voice is more raspy..I do have more upper range but less lower and my tone has suffered in my opinion(less pure)..so PLEASE take this advice before it's too late..
Vocellist2010 2 years ago
LOL!@ "hold pain in such high regard!" "Pain is not good" My Dad always told me, If it hurts when you do that, dont do that! Because leaders in the local Gospel Music Department as a whole are generally self taught we pass along ideas that seem to be right. As a choir director/MD, Im here looking for techiniques from professionals to correct some of these Gospel Legends! lol! But thanks for posting good advice Doc. What device do you use to record and burn cds at 1 sitting of a lesson?
ggmworkshop 2 years ago
@ggmworkshop , there are many software options for recording live information and burning it to cd. However I use a stand-alone piece of equipment called a "Super Scope". It's a little pricey but worth it's weight in Gold. I can record the sessions in real time, making new tracks as I go so the student can go straight to certain sections. At the end I push a button and in 2 minutes it burns it all to cd.
Google it!
Ron
rbcross 1 year ago
Thank God, I have not run into those idiots yet who told me to sing until I hurt.
deliveredin2009 2 years ago
Thanks for this comment rbcross! Peace!
ridewith9 2 years ago
As long as God's anointing is in the song, that is all that matters, no matter how you sound you sound.
MsRoses2000 2 years ago 2
Sing as you are lead, and how ever your style is a=you sing your style. God gave you the gift for a reason. It doesnt mean you are trying to be like anybody as long as you us it a personal praise to God. Its nothing wrong with ya holler your shout or anything else. you prase God how you feel like it is in your heart!
apostledixon334 2 years ago
Thnaks 4 posting this! I never heard that saying about pain, but I'm glad you put it out for us..Also, please post about growling, hollering, screaming with ur voice! In gospel, I understand "as the Holy spirit leads" the singer!.. but currently in the gospel world, there are too many Kim Burrells and J.Moss' style singers. That seems to be the norm in churches and I wonder what happened to the purity of song. It's okay to finesse it, but why r so many singers using excessive vocal acrobatics?
destined4mo 2 years ago
What about shouting and the throat?
XSILENTS 2 years ago
U r telling the truth....
MrSwacGuy99 3 years ago
What about the growl aka the squal?
JustasIam147 3 years ago
If it hurts, don't do it. That's the first thing my voice teacher told me.
gwithadream 3 years ago 2
Im loving the videos so far! hope you send lots more.
ssjbryando 3 years ago
Thank you! I'm glad you pointed it out for folk who might be misled. I've got nothing against hard work, but hurting ourselves isn't hard work, it's just dumb. I think I'd have to leave a choir or church who wanted me to damage any part of myself, voice included! Why would Our Lord give us something, wanting us to destroy it? Our gifts are ours to enjoy, to bless others, and to praise Him!
erinandcompany 3 years ago
its like equating poverty to christianity,trus me God provides for his children,even makes some of them wealthy that is really a bad mentality to have,but u know the devil is the author of confusion and thats confusion to me,pain has nothing to do with singing in the spirit,in fact you probly shouldnt be in pain cause that means youre probly striveing,just my opinion,nothing is gospel,no pun intended
2sexxyfaya 3 years ago
I definately agree,
I think also they thinkg that your vocal chords
are like your muscles, and need pain to get stronger , when that's the oposite since it
can just butcher your voice :3
I'm also glad you put this up so alot of people can listen to it!
thesingerperson 3 years ago