Fine Tuning: All Children Can Sing
Fine Tuning: All Kids Can Sing
The other day, I was listening to small groups sing canons (for a grade). One senior was having a hard time with pitch (well, several do, but this one in particular). It so happened that I could hear a couple of pitches that he was singing in tune. He was singing way too low (trying to sing an octave below where the men sing the canon). That means that his lowest notes were really unsingable, with rare exception. When he got to the upper notes he hit the “D†below middle “Câ€. When I asked him to do that again, he did and, after a little coaching, began singing the canon in the right octave and, by in large, on the right pitch. I asked him if he understood what had just happened and he kind of shyly grinned. I asked if he had every done that before and he admitted no. It was a breakthrough for him! I learned something and so did he – but so did the class. Their lack of skill in singing is not due to an inherent inability to do so, but because they have not used their voices in such a way since they were little children. When they have time and someone to teach them those voices come back!ÂThe obvious implications are on our church's song. I can concur that children can be taught to sing. The idiotic statements that are bandied about like "he's tone-deaf" or "he can't carry a tune" are frankly untrue. You may not be able to now but with a little (or in the case of some, a lot) of ear and vocal training I'm convinced it is possible with the exception of true deafness. (Perhaps my music educator sister could pop in with some evidence here?) There are two problems: 1) We have forgotten that song is a gift of God and one of the ways our Lord has given us to praise him. Just because we have forgotten how does not mean God would not have us remember. Witness the great songs of Hannah, Mary, Simeon still used in our liturgies but also the song of the throne in Revelation. 2) The church's standard for song is not quality of performance but quality of faith. The church's song is not judged solely by standards, subject to critics like on "America's Got Talent." Rather our song is judged by its heart. It sings to the Lord what it has received in faith. It responds in despair over sin, lament in suffering, thanksgiving for salvation, and praise for the Lord's goodness. It may be hard to check your sensibilities at the door. Be thankful for the monotone song of joy in your ear over silence which does not confess the faith. Read the rest of the article here.
