Singers had the opportunity to guide the phrasing from within the ensemble during an a cappella ballad this week. We called it being in the hot seat. Some of the lessons learned along the way:
- It’s hard to show what you want to the ensemble.
- Especially without waving your arms.
- It’s scary to be in charge.
- You have to know what you want to get anything effective. Otherwise you just get sllllooooowwwww.
- There isn’t just one right answer for phrasing.
- You have to know more than your own part – because other voice parts might have moving lines you don’t have.
- Having multiple people try leading the group leads to new ideas for the phrasing.
My goal is always to get out of the way of my ensemble, and this is the best way I’ve found so far to pass the baton of ownership to the singers.