Question

[Brittsings87]

My P&W team is in the process of learning "I'm Gonna Praise Him", by Judith Christie Mcallister. There are 2 altos, one soprano (me), and 1 tenor and I'm suppose to be leading the song. But the song sounds so empty to me without the soprano part in the chorus... its like its missing something. I've tried leading it in the alto range, but It still sounds like something is missing.

Should someone else lead the song? And I just do the soprano part?

[sjonathan02]

My P&W team is in the process of learning "I'm Gonna Praise Him", by Judith Christie Mcallister. There are 2 altos, one soprano (me), and 1 tenor and I'm suppose to be leading the song. But the song sounds so empty to me without the soprano part in the chorus... its like its missing something. I've tried leading it in the alto range, but It still sounds like something is missing.

Should someone else lead the song? And I just do the soprano part?

You could do that or have one of the altos stretch themselves and sing soprano (if their voice can handle it).


There's also the possibility of NOT doing the song because of the lack of numbers. Never be afraid to say no to a song, no matter how much you like it.

[Brittsings87]

You could do that or have one of the altos stretch themselves and sing soprano (if their voice can handle it).


There's also the possibility of NOT doing the song because of the lack of numbers. Never be afraid to say no to a song, no matter how much you like it.

Okay, I'll see if the other alto can do it! But then its hard for the other alto to stay on key when the other one isn't singing with her 


And then there is always the option of not singing the song.  I just wish we had more people that can sing, and hold their own.

[rayjohnson83]

I just wish we had more people that can sing, and hold their own.

I know what you mean

[Brittsings87]

I know what you mean

Yep! There are alot of songs I want us to sing. But we can't because the 2 altos that we have; its hard for them to stay on their OWN key. And then its hard for one alto to sing on beat with some of the songs. 

I mean they can sing, we have a good P&W. But it's not that easy when you want to sing other songs that are a bit challenging.

[rayjohnson83]

I mean they can sing, we have a good P&W. But it's not that easy when you want to sing other songs that are a bit challenging.

yea thats what im going through now

[momuzik]

There's also the possibility of NOT doing the song because of the lack of numbers. Never be afraid to say no to a song, no matter how much you like it.

We had to scratch quite a few songs because the singers just couldn't handle it.

There are alot of songs I want us to sing. But we can't because the 2 altos that we have; its hard for them to stay on their OWN key.

I deal with this problem also. I have one strong voice in each group (sop, alt, ten) on both the praise team and the choir and when one of them isn't there, I'm hurtin'.
When one of them sings lead, I usually have to switch them around so the rest can follow them and I'll hold down the tenor parts from the keyboard.

have one of the altos stretch themselves and sing soprano (if their voice can handle it).

Sometimes the ones that can't carry their own harmony can sometimes carry the melody if they know the song.
What you can try is let the alto who can't hold her own alto note sing the melody (or soprano).

Just work with what you got.

[Brittsings87]

We had to scratch quite a few songs because the singers just couldn't handle it.

I deal with this problem also. I have one strong voice in each group (sop, alt, ten) on both the praise team and the choir and when one of them isn't there, I'm hurtin'.
When one of them sings lead, I usually have to switch them around so the rest can follow them and I'll hold down the tenor parts from the keyboard.

Sometimes the ones that can't carry their own harmony can sometimes carry the melody if they know the song.
What you can try is let the alto who can't hold her own alto note sing the melody (or soprano).
Just work with what you got.

Thats how it is for us. Sometimes when the tenor isn't their, the "leader" of the group lets the other alto lead some songs so the background can sound full. But with her leading the song it still sounds a lil off. I remember when the tenor was there and she lead a song. After service he came to me and was like why yal let her lead that song?  ... I'm like I didn't let her do anything, I'm not the leader! lol Because when the tenor is there he mostly leads the songs, adn sometimes the leader of the group. But when its just the 3 of us girls..... thats when it becomes akward! lol

[sjonathan02]

Okay, I'll see if the other alto can do it! But then its hard for the other alto to stay on key when the other one isn't singing with her 


And then there is always the option of not singing the song.  I just wish we had more people that can sing, and hold their own.

A LOT of us wish that were the case. 

[betnich]

Maybe you can take the key up a 3rd or so, so you can sing the lead in your range.
Of course you would have to rearrange the harmony parts too...maybe 'flip' them.

[vtguy84]

Maybe you can take the key up a 3rd or so, so you can sing the lead in your range.
Of course you would have to rearrange the harmony parts too...maybe 'flip' them.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Brittsings87]

How bout I just don't lead the song at all!  I REALLY wouldn't mind! lol

But in all seriousness I'll make a few suggestions next rehearsal. And 2 of those suggestions will be that someone else leads, and that maybe we shouldn't even sing it all! lol

[kodacolor]

My P&W team is in the process of learning "I'm Gonna Praise Him", by Judith Christie Mcallister. There are 2 altos, one soprano (me), and 1 tenor and I'm suppose to be leading the song. But the song sounds so empty to me without the soprano part in the chorus... its like its missing something. I've tried leading it in the alto range, but It still sounds like something is missing.

Should someone else lead the song? And I just do the soprano part?

I would think so.  Since you only need 3 people to do 3 part harmony and you have doubles in altos and one of everything else maybe one of the altos should lead the song.

[Brittsings87]

Last Monday I told my uncle my "issue", and he agreed. We're still doing the song, I'm still leading it, but one alto is doing the soprano note, and the other one is doing the alto. I'm singing the 1st half of the song and my uncle is doing the last half. I had to split the song, that song is tiring! lol And it gives the other alto a chance to relax a lil bit! LOL