- When practising a melody to be sung, it is often good to practise singing the entire piece on a single beautiful vowel. After returning to the text, notice which vowel sounds do not match the beauty of others. Then practise the melody again, substituting a good vowel for the problem vowel.
- The release of tone should be handled as carefully as the initiation of a sound. Closing the throat is the wrong way to end a tone. Instead, you may continue to exhale, but silently.
- Careless articulation:
"The Lord is kind and merciful" becomes "The Lord is kinda merciful"
"The Lord is my help" becomes "The Lord is my hel" - Using a tape Recorder:
try speaking and singing the following pairs of words:
and--ant
have--half
back--pack
race--raise
God--got
cheer--Jeer
lags--lacks
deer--tier
bag--back
plays--place
God--cod
very--fairy
marching--margin
moth--mother
I LIKE THE TAPE RECORDER IDEA....
Do you think our cantors can try this?
Practise:
- metronome for tempos
- Full length mirror for checking posture, jaw and tongue
- cassete recorder to evaluate
1 Divide the piece into phrases or small sections
2. Hum or sing sections on a single vowel until comfortable
3. Speak the text in rhythm or chant it on a single pitch
4. Combine text and tune, still practising in small sections
5. Isolate and concentrate on problem areas
6 Return problem sections to the context of the piece
7 Sing through the piece in its entirety
8 Continue to work on the piece for interpretation.
**It should be clear that the cantor is not just someone who pops out from the choir. With special training and preparation, choir member can become a cantor, but not all choristers are cantor material. Certain gifts of communication and spirituality should be evident in anyone who serves as a cantor.
**The cantor does not double as the organist. One does not serve as a cantor from behind an organ console.
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