28 Ad Libs: Singing In The Spaces

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!

See the lesson resources below to:

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Comments

Sarah Cross December 9, 2022

This was so, so helpful!

Charmaine Brown December 16, 2022

Glad you enjoyed it!

Carter Brown July 23, 2021

Thank you so much for this support! What if I’m the only vocalist singing in spaces and spontaneously on the team? Do I only sing ad libs when I’m leading? Can I add to someone else’s verse? Not quite sure how to do this unless I’m leading the song

Charmaine Brown July 25, 2021

Generally this is something we definitely want to do while leading, and when someone else is leading, ask them what they would like you to do—in a verse, most likely sitting out (not adding ad libs), but in an instrumental bridge, it can be very powerful when all the vocalists are singing in the space!

knwilson78 March 5, 2020

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!

Charmaine Brown March 5, 2020

Totally! I hear ya! I planned for a long time and now it comes very naturally to me without planning!

Molly March 3, 2020

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.

Charmaine Brown March 3, 2020

Yes—He does! I love being led by worship leaders who flow well in this! Excited for you to learn and discover more!

1. Juliana S. March 4, 2020
  
  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. ?
  
  1. Charmaine Brown March 4, 2020
    
    Woohoo! So exciting!!

Borampalma March 2, 2020

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.

Charmaine Brown March 3, 2020

Amen! I believe that for you!

28 Ad Libs: Singing In The Spaces

Doxology by Thomas Ken

God Is So Good

Here As In Heaven by Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye, Matthews Thabo Ntele

Holy Spirit by Bryan Torwalt, Katie Torwalt

I Surrender All by Judson W. Van de Venter, Winfield Scott Weeden

Nothing but the Blood by Robert Lowry

Won’t Stop Now by Chris Brown, Steven Furtick

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