Choir Fun Facts #4

Singing fun fact:

Taking a breath. Easy! I do it all the time…right?

Well – let’s take a moment to consider breathing for singing versus “regular” breathing. This is a “crash course”, so I’ll get right to it. First of all, when you breath for singing, never breathe only through your nose. It is too small and you end up working too hard to get the air you need. Think about breathing in through your mouth and nose at the same time! Secondly, there shouldn’t be much or any sound when you take air in through your mouth. If you can hear a “rasp” in your throat, then you’re doing it wrong – relax your throat and open up. Finally, If you want the best possible breath, then shape your mouth into the shape of the first vowel that you’re going to sing. That will help you sing a good vowel sound AND get a good breath!

Music Theory fun fact:

Notation – time signature

Time signatures are important in that they tell us how many beats are in a measure and how to count the rhythms. (A measure, by the way, is determined by the notes in between the vertical lines in the staff.)

The top note tells us how many beats are in the measure. (This can be ANY number.)

The bottom number tells us what kind of note “gets the beat” (This can be only: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, etc… - the most common by far is 4 and next is 8)

	This means that there are 4 beats in a measure where the quarter note gets the beat.
	This means that there are 3 beats in a measure where the quarter note get the beat.

Philosophy fun fact:

Is singing hymns/songs for the purpose of preparing our hearts for worship?

This is an easy one… NO! Singing doesn't prepare our hearts for worship... Singing IS an act of worship. One aspect of worship isn’t any more important than the other. They should all support one another –not simply prepare you for another act of worship.