Merry Christmas everyone!

I couldn’t let Christmas pass without a final post before this blog goes into ‘pause’ mode (see Time to hit pause on this blog).

 

Also, being a numbers nerd, I needed to publish post number 800 to finish on a round number!

Time to hit pause on this blog

I can hardly believe it, but I’ve been writing this weekly blog for 14 years – that’s 798 articles!

I haven’t missed a single week in all that time. Until now.

Find new songs for the winter and festive season

It’s the time of year when many choirs roll out their familiar winter repertoire. Whether it be Christmas carols or Hanukkah songs, they tend to be the same old favourites.

But what if you want to try something different? Here are some resources for discovering new songs for the winter festivals.

The different types of polyphonic singing 9: synthesis polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples.

This week it’s synthesis polyphony, the last of the nine types of polyphonic singing.

The different types of polyphonic singing 8: chordal polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

Tenores di Bitti, Sardinia

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples.

This week it’s chordal polyphony.

The different types of polyphonic singing 7: overlapping polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

 

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples.

This week it’s overlapping polyphony.

The different types of polyphonic singing 6: heterophonic polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples.

This week it’s heterophonic polyphony.

The different types of polyphonic singing 5: ostinato polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples. 

This week it’s ostinato polyphony.

The different types of polyphonic singing 4: contrapuntal polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

 

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples. This week it’s contrapuntal polyphony.

The different types of polyphonic singing 3: canonic polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

Gailė Paštukaitė, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples. This week it’s canonical polyphony.

The different types of polyphonic singing 2: drone polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

 

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples. This week it’s drone polyphony.

The different types of polyphonic singing 1: parallel polyphony

Joseph Jordania has outlined nine different types of polyphonic singing in his book Choral singing in human evolution.

Photo by Michael Trolove

I will be working through each type trying to give a simplified explanation and some musical examples. This week it’s parallel polyphony.

What is polyphonic singing?

Most choirs sing in harmony. They sing a kind of ‘vocal polyphony’.

It’s a bit of a daunting word, but very useful. So let’s find out what ‘polyphony’ means.

Singing with masks: advice for choir leaders

I wrote last week about how wearing masks might affect singers and how they can overcome any obstacles.

This week I want to look at the impact on choir leaders.

Singing with masks: advice for singers

Choirs are starting to rehearse again, both indoors and outdoors. Many are insisting that their singers wear masks.

Archway Gospelish Choir, Sussex

What are the difficulties (if any) of singing while wearing a mask?

Singing harmony can be hard and scary – here’s how to make it easier

Those of use who love to sing in harmony sometimes forget how hard and scary it can be for those who haven’t tried it before.

The Watersons

Here are some handy hints on how to ease your way into harmony singing without getting too worried.

The 7 types of choir leader – which one are you?

We all lead our choirs in different ways. There is a whole range of leadership styles out there.

Photo by COD Newsroom

What type of choir leader are you?

Is it time to re-invent your singing self?

The world is full of clichés at the moment: “We’re living in unprecedented times”, “Every cloud has a silver lining”, “Getting used to the new normal”.

With everything in such turmoil, now might be a good time to re-evaluate your relationship with singing.

Can an “all voices welcome” choir ever be totally inclusive?

Many choirs are open-access: they welcome all kinds of voices and don’t hold auditions.

Photo by Fabrice Florin

But is it still possible to keep everyone happy and be truly inclusive without making too many concessions?

Choir leading as low-impact aerobics, or, how I gained weight during lockdown

Although I don’t have a regular choir, before the pandemic I used to lead one or two singing workshops each week.

I now realise that was my main exercise! Since lockdown, I’ve become a couch potato.

How to make plans for your choir when the future is uncertain

The socially-distanced reopening of indoor performances in England was due to take place last Saturday, but the government has now postponed it for at least another two weeks.

With circumstances changing so frequently, how do you prepare for future concerts and rehearsals?

Balancing individual creativity with group collaboration

During lockdown many of us have had to fall back on our own devices. We’ve been cast ashore on a virtual desert island and asked to fend for ourselves.

It’s tough when you have to do everything by yourself, but it can also be liberating as you have nobody to account to. There are pros and cons to both ways of working: by yourself or in collaboration.

Is a choir a family?

People join choirs for many different reasons. Whatever those reasons might be, a choir ends up being a small community.

Photo by U.S. Embassy London

In fact, some consider a choir as a kind of family. But what might that mean?

Whatever you’ve managed to do during lockdown, you’re doing great

I keep seeing virtual choirs on Facebook and hearing about amazing Zoom singing sessions.

Photo by Virginia State Parks

It’s hard not to compare and feel that you’re not keeping up. But whatever you’ve managed to do, you’re doing great.

How to keep your choir or singing business alive while it’s shut down

I started my first community choir over 20 years ago. I used to worry that, after the long summer break, the singers would have forgotten me and wouldn’t return to choir when it started up again.

With choirs and singing groups not meeting in person, those worries are magnified. How can you keep your singing groups alive and ensure that your singers are still there when this is all over?

When did you last sing together? You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone

That last time I was in a room with a group of singers was nearly four months ago.

If I had known then that I wouldn’t be singing like that for the foreseeable future, would I have behaved differently?

Singers listen with their eyes as well as their ears

I've been trying to sing against a recording of two other people singing different harmony parts.

I found it almost impossible to pitch accurately because I couldn't see them.

What singing online can and can’t achieve

Last week I looked at What is unique about singing together.

In this post, I’ll consider which aspects of singing together can be duplicated online and which can’t.

What is unique about singing together?

Singing together in a group is something special. It is a very different experience from singing on your own.

But what exactly is it that we get from singing with others?

Singers miss out when there’s no choir, but what about choir leaders?

There are plenty of studies now about the many benefits of singing together. But they only look at the experience of the singers in a choir.

I’d like to consider what choir leaders get out of leading a choir and what they might be missing when choirs aren’t meeting.

How to get the most out of singing online – a guide for singers

Choirs are not meeting at the moment so lots of you have gone online to sing.

Given that it will be just you singing at a screen, what can you do to get the most out of an online singing session?

How to use singing to lift you out of a low mood

Like everyone in lockdown we all have good days and bad days.

Today I’m feeling particularly low and unmotivated. But I got out of it. Here’s how.

What to write about when there are no choirs or singing together?

I’m finding it hard to come up with an idea to write about today.

Writing about choirs, harmony singing, vocal technique, etc. seems a little like adding salt to a wound when choirs aren’t able to meet. What shall I write about for the next few months?

Discover the joys of singing on your own

Opportunities to sing with others, especially in harmony, are very rare when you’re confined to your house.



This could be a chance to discover the joys of singing on your own.

Create your own deadlines and bring some structure to your life and work

Essentially I’m a very lazy person. I don’t do anything unless I absolutely have to.



The way I manage to get things done is to set public deadlines. That way I can’t escape!

The sound of silence – rediscovering the art of listening

With far fewer people around at the moment, I am starting to hear things that I don’t normally notice.



It made me realise that in our usually busy daily lives, many of us have lost the art of listening. It’s time to reconnect with the world.

10 things choir leaders can do when stuck at home

What is a choir leader without a choir?



There are times when you won’t be able to be with your choir in person. Here are some things to help keep your choral and music interests alive.

How to sing harmony on your own

I love harmony singing. But sometimes I don’t have the luxury of other people to sing with.



Here are some ways to sing harmony, even if you’re on your own.

10 things singers can do at home when there’s no choir to go to

There are many reasons why you might not be able to get to choir and have to stay home.



How can you keep your choral and musical interests alive? Here are 10 ideas.

How to sing together in times of isolation

We are living in unprecedented times. People are not allowed to socialise.



How do we keep singing together? I’ll look at some of the options.

Ought choir leaders to be making health decisions for their singers?

We are living in “interesting times” (according to the old Chinese curse). Many of us are finding ourselves in the uncomfortable position of having to make health decisions for other people.



But is it our responsibility as choir leaders?

Back to basics: how to reawaken your passion as a singer in a choir

Do you find doing the same warm ups week after week a bit dull? Are you bored with the same old repertoire?



It might be time to revisit the basics of why you joined a choir in the first place and what inspires you as a singer. Read on to find out how to reinvigorate your singing as a choir member.

Back to basics: how to reawaken your passion as a choir leader

Ever found the same old warm up exercises a bit boring or ending up just going through the motions during a rehearsal?



It might be time to revisit the basics of what you’re doing as a choir leader and why. Read on to find out how to reinvigorate your choir leading.

When you start singing for the first time, be prepared to fail. A lot.

I mentioned skateboarder Barry Dring in my last post. And here he is again!



When he was interviewed, Barry pointed out that when learning to skateboard, you have to fall off. A lot. It’s the same with any new skill, including singing.

Singing in a choir: meditation for those who can’t sit still

Meditation is often suggested as a way of reducing stress, promoting emotional well-being and enhancing self-awareness.



But what if you find it hard to sit still? Then join a choir and reap the same benefits!

How do we know if a culture has a traditional music scene?

I’ve just spent a wonderful month in Mexico. While I was there I tried to find local live music, but to no avail.

Silvia María Zuñiga

How does one find the traditional or representative music of a culture when we’re so inundated by Western influences?

How much should you polish a song before moving onto the next one?

Some songs are quick to learn and some take a while before they bed in.

photo © Oast House Archive (cc-by-sa/2.0)

How long should you spend on a teaching/ learning a song before moving onto the next one?

How to recruit a new leader for your choir

There will come a time when you’ll need to find a new leader for your choir.



Let’s look at ideas for how to recruit someone suitable.

Is being in a choir that doesn’t suit you better than no singing at all?

I love singing certain kinds of songs, but not others. Some people don’t mind what they sing, as long as they’re singing.

photo by Nick Allen

What if you end up in a choir that just doesn’t do it for you? Is that better than not singing at all?

Can anybody be a choir leader?

As you probably know, I believe that everyone can sing.



But can anybody be a choir leader?