2 minute read
A Choice of Courage
Expression Category Specialist Vickie Maybury explains the importance of singing from the heart for singers of every level.
Do you have to be at a certain skill level to sing expressively? The quick answer is absolutely not. If you possess a heart, you possess emotions, with a history. It is the heart that allows the singer to sing expressively.
In barbershop we know that when a singer sings in a way that is connected to her heart the performance soars to a higher level, individually as well as collectively. Why then do we not always sing from the heart? I am acutely aware as a director, singer, and audience member that many times our singers try to accomplish expressive singing through technique. For example, dynamics are reflected by numbers (1-10), but artistic expressive singing is not “paint by number.” Another example is when singers exploit the “H” sound through breath attacks to create texture instead of singing and allowing imagination and emotional experience to dictate the lyrical musical line.
Singing word sounds that are delivered technically versus emotionally draws attention to the performance for the wrong reason. Barbershop embellishments will always be more powerful if delivered with emotional intent. True expressive singing will always come from an emotional place. Many times, emotional expression is the result of vulnerability, but vulnerability is often considered a sign of weakness. Author Brené Brown writes, “We associate vulnerability with emotions we want to avoid such as fear, shame and uncertainty. Yet we too often lose sight of the fact that vulnerability is also the birthplace of joy, belonging, creativity, authenticity and love. In actuality, vulnerability is in truth our most accurate measure of courage.”
As musical storytellers in the barbershop art form, we realize it is important at every level to capture the true essence of the story then allow our personal emotional feeling of joy and enthusiasm to foster and propel it into action. When a singer sings in a way that is truly connected to the heart, the performance is lifted to a higher level. It happens no matter what your skill set.
Expressive singing is not something you layer on two weeks before a performance. It happens at the onset of learning a new song. Unfortunately, we get caught up in learning just the notes and words. Catalonian composer Pablo Casals wrote, “The written note is like a straitjacket, whereas music, like life itself, is constant movement, continuous spontaneity, free from any restrictions... There are so many excellent instrumentalists who are completely obsessed by the printed note, whereas it has a very limited power to express what the music actually means."
Only when we sing the written notes and allow our entire being, especially the heart, to get involved can the music come alive. Individual artistic expression is developed through active participation. Intentional, emotional, artistic experience fuels and creates an artistic performance.
In closing, all singers, no matter what skill level they are, can sing expressively; however, it is not a technique. Rather, it is a choice of courage to sing wholly from the heart.
