01INTRODUCTION

CLASSICAL VS CONTEMPORARY

STYLE

WORSHIP TRAINING

WITH VOCAL COACH CHARMAINE BROWNWWW.THEWORSHIPVOCALIST.COM

CLASSICAL VS CONTEMPORARY STYLEWWW.THEWORSHIPVOCALIST.COM

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CLASSICAL & CONTEMPORARY

I’ve met so many worship vocalists who want so badly to sing on their worship team, but they don’t make it past the audition... or they would love the opportunity to lead a song… but they are always put on backup vocals. Or, they’re just not sure why their voice doesn’t “fit” with the other singers on their worship team.

Or, maybe you’re a worship pastor and you have vocalists on your team whose voices—although perhaps they sound lovely—don’t blend well with the other vocalists on stage.

Maybe you’ve just always wondered… what’s the deal with “classical” and “contemporary”—what does that mean and how are they different?!

If you can relate with any of the above, this lesson is for you!

Here are the important things you need to know… ⊲ Contemporary is not better than classical. Classical is not better than contemporary.

They're just different!

⊲ Classical and contemporary styles sound different and thus require different skills and different training.

⊲ Classical techniques do not fit well in a contemporary worship context. Contemporary techniques do not fit well in a classical context. 

⊲ Traditionally, a singer would need to project their voice without amplification. The microphone changed everything—and allowed for other styles to evolve that don’t require the same stylistic elements or technique (including much of what we do in contemporary worship!). 

⊲ It’s best to focus on only one style. When a singer focuses on both classical and contemporary, often both styles suffer. 

⊲ Transitioning from classical to contemporary can be done, but it takes time, patience, and the right techniques!

⊲ It’s so important to know your lane and run in your lane! Be aware and be willing to make some adjustments to your vocal sound so that it fits well!

CLASSICAL VS CONTEMPORARY STYLEWWW.THEWORSHIPVOCALIST.COM

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CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY

head-dominant resonance chest-dominant resonance

raised soft palate lowered soft palate

more "sung" speech-like tone

polished raw/organic/imperfect

projected (no microphone) more dynamic variety (microphone)

long legato phrases "anything goes" (whatever's popular!)

vowel-dominant consonant-dominant

wide, present vibrato subtle vibrato/straight tone

embellishments are typically planned (written in the sheet music)

spontaneous vocal embellishments (licks/ad libs/melodic & rhythmic changes)

NOTES

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CLASSICAL VS CONTEMPORARY STYLEWWW.THEWORSHIPVOCALIST.COM

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If you sing on a church worship team (or you aspire to), is your worship context contemporary or traditional? (If you don’t know, ask your leader!)___________________________________________________________________________

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Do you think your voice leans toward classical or contemporary? Is your tone more chest-dominant or head-dominant? Is your vibrato subtle? Do you have a speech-like tone? (Again, if you’re not sure… ask someone who is knowledgeable about vocal technique/style, and tell them to be honest with you!) ___________________________________________________________________________

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SELF-ASSESSMENT

Want to improve your vocal skills? Want to learn how to sing in a contemporary style? I want to help! Check out my library of videos and resources at www.theworshipvocalist.com and join this amazing community of worship vocalists all around the world!

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