5 Steps to Transform Music Lovers into Performers

 

Many people I’ve met want to perform music or be part of a music group if they aren’t already, but they just can’t find the motivation to actually go for it.

 

These five simple steps will help to transform you into a musician, a performer, to give you confidence to get you from your seat in the audience to your place on the stage.

 

These steps are geared specifically toward a church situation, but they could apply to a community or school music program as well.

 

So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

 

#1: Find your group

 

The easiest way to kick-start your dream of being a performer is to join a group. Your music program should have many different options for you to serve in worship. You need to pick a group that fits your ability or personality.

 

For example, if you like people to see you and you enjoy using your voice, singing is for you. You could join the choir or praise team singers.

 

If you prefer being active and have a basic sense of rhythm, playing an instrument is for you. You could join the handbell choir or praise team band, even if you don’t currently know how to play your instrument.

 

I talk to folks all the time who say things like “I would like to perform and be a part of that, BUT I can’t play” or “I can’t sing,” and my default response is…

 

“Yes, you can, let me help you!”

 

Sometimes that’s a conversation that changes a person’s life. Everyone wants to be part of something bigger than themselves, to belong, to be productive, to be valued. Joining a group that suits you will accomplish all those things, the key is to be brave and say “Yes!”, then let your fellow worshipers help you to grow in your ability.

 

If your church doesn’t have a group that you think you would like, ASK!

 

Ask your music guy or gal if they would be willing to start that thing, they won’t be offended, I promise. They might turn you down, but at least you gave it a shot, and the most likely thing to happen is they’ll say is “well, I don’t think we can do that, BUT why don’t we use your idea and blend it into this other group we already have.”

 

I’ve done that for youth who are clarinet players or saxophonists who want to play, but it doesn’t fit into our normal worship experience for Sunday.

 

Instead of saying no, I say YES in an unexpected way.

 

I invite them to put together a small group and perform a special, or add them in as a solo instrument to a choral anthem. They get to play in a way that fits them, and the church got to benefit from their talents and abilities as a result.

 

Maybe you have a hidden talent or ability that could be used in a novel way. Maybe you played an instrument in your high school band all those years ago. Why not try and include it in worship?

 

Your director will be happy to help you grow, and you might be surprised by how good you can really be. Which leads us to #2…

 

 

#2: Hone your craft as a performer

 

In order to be confident, we need to feel competent. The best way to feel competent and grow confident is to hone your craft as a performer. This can be as simple as practicing or thinking through your part outside of rehearsal.

 

You don’t need to sink a ton of time into this, the key is to practice the way you will want to perform. Getting yourself into the performance mindset before an actual performance should allow you to be more comfortable.

 

On a day you want to run through your music, try running through the piece, note some trouble spots you had, then go over just those spots until they are right.

 

Next, take a break.

 

Put that music away for a while, let your fingers or voice rest, then come back to it later.

 

Before you run through it again, look back over your notes and remind yourself of those spots you missed earlier. Then, remind yourself how you made them right. Give the piece a run, and it will be better than the first time.

 

A big mistake I see performers make, be it dancers or graphic artists or musicians, is practicing half-heartedly or (worse) WRONGLY.

 

Try replacing the word “practice” with the word “permanent learned behavior.”

 

This makes it take on a whole new dimension for most people.

 

Consider this: If you’re a dancer, and all you ever do in your practice is act like you’re jumping, but you never actually jump, you will probably won’t jump correctly (if at all) when the time comes to perform. In the same way, someone who practices something at half the volume or in the wrong octave is actively learning to do perform that way.

 

It will be harder to break those bad habits, so do things to the best of your ability every time.

 

Your group friends will thank you for it, your director will thank you for it, and future-you will thank you for it!

 

 

#3: Ask for help

 

I’ve alluded to this already, but a key to your success will be in your ability to leverage your resources. Asking for help will make you better, faster. It will also help you grow deeper relationships with other people. If you feel bad or reluctant about asking for help, try some of these things:

1. Bring something of value to the person you are asking. Giving or exchanging something of value may make it easier for you to ask, and it may make it easier for them to say yes. This could be lunch or a simple act of service that they’ll appreciate, small things sometimes mean a lot.

 

2. Ask when it’s convenient for them and you. Don’t ask for them to come to your house on a holiday! There’s no way they’ll agree. Instead, try catching your director before or after rehearsal to go over a trouble spot with you, or try catching your friend at a time you know they’ll be free.

 

3. Don’t delay. The longer you wait, the less likely you’ll need the help (if you’re following the practice strategy above). You might as well get help now and save yourself some time later. Just ask, get it over with.

 

 

#4: Be consistent

 

Especially at some of the bigger churches, there are waiting lists to get into the praise team or adult choir groups for worship. If you’re at a place like that and your turn comes around, but you skip rehearsal and purposely show up late to perform, do you think you’ll be asked back?

 

No.

 

Now apply that idea to your church. When you sign on to be a part of a group, that group will be counting on you to do your part.

 

If you’re a soloist, it will be very apparent to everyone when you are missing. They’re more likely to let you know about it any time you miss. That’s not true when you’re part of a section, however. It may go unnoticed a time or two by some, but your director will know.

 

When you are continually late or absent, you may not ever be asked to leave the group, but you are growing a reputation by your actions.

 

By the same token, if you are always on time and never miss an event, you are growing a positive reputation. You are the person who can be counted on. For me that matters more than most other things, including talent.

 

I would take the person I know will be there when I need them to be over the person who could probably do it better but have no idea if they’ll show up.

 

Be that kind of person, and you’ll be counted on to be a performer on the stage and not a by-stander in the audience.

 

Also, commitment tends to snowball. What I mean is that the more you go to something, the more committed you feel to those people and that thing, and the more committed you feel, the more you want to go. You may not want to go every time, but the more you miss, the easier it will be to continue missing, and the more you go, the easier it will be to continue going.

 

 

#5: Find Your Reason

 

If you haven’t ever really sat down and thought about your reason, you should. Every performer has their reason, what’s yours? It probably isn’t for instant fame or anything like that, SO WHY?

 

You need to know why you want to do this thing. Someone who wants to be there is going to go further quicker than someone who doesn’t. Find your reason. My reason is just because I genuinely enjoy being with fellow worshipers. I enjoy watching them grow musically and spiritually, and I feel blessed when I am part of that process. There is no better feeling for me than that.

 

That’s why I went to school for Church Music, that’s why I pursued graduate degrees. My purpose helped me get through all that and led me to where I am today.

Do it for others.

Maybe your reason is for someone you love. I have some members of my music groups who joined in honor of relatives who would have wanted it. They do it for a mother who passed who liked handbells, a brother who lives far away who sings.

 

Being a part of the group makes them feel close to those loved ones, even if they aren’t close physically.

 

Maybe that’s something you want to feel, and if so, great! You found your reason.

Let me tell you, those people are some of the most consistent (#4) folks who found their perfect group (#1), who are actively honing their craft as a performer (#2), and who aren’t afraid to ask for help (#3). Finding their reason led them to achieve all the other steps automatically because they weren’t doing it for themselves, they were doing it for someone else.

Do it for yourself.

That being said, some people want to do it for themselves, and there is nothing wrong with that. As I said earlier, I do it (in part) for myself, because it makes me feel fulfilled.

 

Maybe you’re like me and you’ve always wanted to join a music group, but you just never found the time or the courage to commit. Listen, there is never going to be that perfect time to join. We are not promised another day on this earth. It’s never a bad idea to live like it might be your last.

 

Take a leap of faith this week and trust that God has a purpose for your life, and being a performer might be part of that purpose. Trust your church family to support you as you grow into the musician you can be. Everyone has an origin story, maybe this is the start of yours.

 

Maybe your reason is different than these, maybe it’s a combination of the two. Whatever it is, you need to find it.

 

Having a reason will help you focus on why you go to all those rehearsals. It will help you get up early on a Sunday, especially when you don’t feel like it. Remembering your reason becomes a mantra, something you can recite to yourself when you feel like giving up.

 

 

I hope that these five steps will set you on a path from your old place in the congregation to your new place on the stage as a music performer.

 

Best of luck in your musical journey! Feel free to share some of the ways you were able to take the jump by commenting below! If you liked what you read, consider subscribing to the email list.

 

Go in peace.