Pretty much all my singing events are open to anyone, regardless of experience.
This means that I always work with groups of mixed ability: from professional singers to those who’ve only ever sung in the shower. So how do I pitch the teaching level?
it’s tempting to think that, when working with a group of singers with a wide range of abilities, you need to aim your teaching at the least experienced.After all, you don’t want to put them off singing for good if this is their first experience.
But if you do that, you’re also in danger of boring the more experienced singers.
Teach a range of songs
In any singing session, I try to choose songs with a range of complexity. I’ll always begin with something simple to warm the group up and get them used to harmonising together. As the session goes on, I’ll introduce more complex material. But I’ll always end with something relatively simple so people feel a sense of achievement when the leave.
I hope this means that there’s something for everyone. A complete beginner might only truly master the first and the last songs, and perhaps not quite nail those in the middle. But they’ll go away knowing that they’ve mastered something and had a go at more complicated songs.
The more experienced singers will probably coast through the easy material (but enjoy having a good old sing), then feel a bit more challenged by the more complex songs.
Another way of introducing different levels of difficulty is to allow beginners to sing the tune, intermediate singers to have the relatively simply harmonies, and leave the experienced singers to tackle the complex parts.
Two other techniques I use
As well as having levels of difficulty, there are two other things I do to ensure that everyone has a chance to succeed.
I always behave as if the songs are completely straightforward and within everyone’s ability. It kind of gives singers permission to succeed.
I also teach fast. This means there’s no space in people’s heads to start worrying whether they’re any good or are getting the song ‘right’. It may take several goes to nail all the harmonies, but it’s surprising how the speed carries everyone along and the song is up on its feet quickly.
So the short answer to the question in the title is: “No, you don’t have to aim for the slowest learner”.
As long as you make sure there are songs and harmonies ranging from easy to more complex, and as long as you appear to be a confident teacher and behave as if everything is easy, you’ll keep everyone happy.
Older posts
You might find these other posts of interest.
How many songs can you teach in an hour?
6 facts about singing to help first-time singers
Your mouth knows more than your brain does
Chris Rowbury
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