28 Ad Libs: Singing In The Spaces

Master Your Voice | 12 comments

Here, we’ll build off of the previous lesson as we practice improvisation techniques and strategies for filling the spaces in our songs. We’ll learn why the ability to flow in spontaneous worship is an important skill for worship leaders and supporting vocalists, as well as a step-by-step process for how to create and sing your own ad libs in worship songs!

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Lesson 28 Notes (pdf, 1 MB)
Master Your Voice Ad Libs Workout - Male (zip, 62 MB)
Master Your Voice Ad Libs Workout - Female (zip, 61 MB)

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Doxology

Public Domain. Written by Thomas Ken.

God Is So Good

Public Domain. Anonymous.

Here As In Heaven

Holy Spirit

I Surrender All

Public Domain. Judson W. Van de Venter, Winfield Scott Weeden.

Nothing but the Blood

Public Domain. Written by Robert Lowry.

Won’t Stop Now

12 Comments

knwilson78 on March 5, 2020 at 4:13 pm

So great to have a lesson on how to plan this better. I’ve sung with people who are really comfortable with improvising but so nice to have a framework so I can “plan”. I’m one of those people who needs to know there’s a “script” to fall back on if my mind goes blank!
Reply
- Charmaine Brown on March 5, 2020 at 7:21 pm
  
  Totally! I hear ya! I planned for a long time and now it comes very naturally to me without planning!
  Reply
Molly on March 3, 2020 at 1:16 pm

I love how you said how God speaks in between the lines (the lyrics) and how it’s our job as worship leaders to model and encourage others to sing the “new song,” the “spiritual songs” that God is leading them in. Spontaneous worship is so edifying to the body of Christ and I love being under worship leaders who lead in this way, really hearing from the Spirit. I hope to be grow in this important part of worship leading. I like how you broke down ad libs into a few catergories that don’t seem so difficult to access: non- words, encouragement, cueing the next line, repeating a line, emphasizing a lyric.
Reply
- Charmaine Brown on March 3, 2020 at 7:45 pm
  
  Yes—He does! I love being led by worship leaders who flow well in this! Excited for you to learn and discover more!
  Reply
  - Juliana S. on March 4, 2020 at 12:27 pm
    
    I listened to the video and led worship service on the following day. It was the first time I managed to sing in spaces both spontaneously and confidently – without any doubt or fear. I received an important tool from your practical advices. Thank you very much for breaking down another wall. 🙂
    Reply
    - Charmaine Brown on March 4, 2020 at 7:39 pm
      
      Woohoo! So exciting!!
      Reply
Borampalma on March 2, 2020 at 9:24 pm

Wow, I learned so much from this lesson, it’s going to take a while to let it all sink in. It is exciting to think of God wanting to flow through my personality and unique style in leading others, and also the role of the worship leader as a teacher and model. What a responsibility that I want to be faithful in. Another exciting thing is that I can be confident that I will be able to sing spontaneously, if I am willing to practice and prepare. I am the awkward worship leader waiting to begin singing the next song, so I would love to be adept at using those in between spaces. I enjoy listening to worship leaders like Kim Walker-Smith and Steffany Gretzinger who fill a lot of spaces with ad lib, and I’ve always wanted to be able to do that.
Reply
- Charmaine Brown on March 3, 2020 at 7:44 pm
  
  Amen! I believe that for you!
  Reply
DelphineT on February 12, 2020 at 1:56 pm

I have been so blessed going through the lessons and practicing. I can already fell growth.
Reply
- Charmaine Brown on February 13, 2020 at 1:57 pm
  
  Awesome, that’s amazing to hear!
  Reply
jcm on December 2, 2019 at 3:31 pm

Such good wisdom in choosing when and why to enhance vocally. Thank You!
Reply
- Charmaine Brown on December 2, 2019 at 7:50 pm
  
  You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed the lesson!
  Reply