Last updated
February 16, 2006
Page maintained by Adrian A. Durlester![[E-MAIL]](graphics/mail-to.gif){kind=small}
Most songleaders lead with guitar. [Note from Adrian: By schlepping along a portable keyboard to Hava Nashira every summer, I hope I am beginning to convince Gerry Kaye that guitar is not the only instrument you can use for songleading, even at camp!] Your [guitar] is, of course, an important part of your presentation. While any good [guitar] can be used, songleaders have traditionally been most effective with a [steel stringed instrument] since it has a bigger sound. For various reasons, you may find another instrument to be more useful for you. Do keep in mind that your instrument must be a support for your voice and a prop that can be used to cue your group.
[Capos - or fiddling with the controls on your keyboard] are songleader killers. Capos have been the undoing of more songleaders than any group of twelve year old boys. When your group is ready to sing and you lose the moment of opportunity because you are fretting over [where the Capo] belongs, kids tend to lose patience and you lose confidence. Know in advance what key you need for the voice capabilities of your group. Use [Capo placement] as an opportunity to explain another idea or two about the song and punctuate the end of your sentence with your [guitar and Capo] in the same way as a good speaker uses hand gestures, eyeglasses or a pause to convey their readiness to proceed. [Note from Adrian: It's easier to change keys on a keyboard, but, as with a guitar, it's to your advantage to know your songs in any key and select the right key for the conditions in advance.]
Your voice is another important instrument which you bring to your work. Abuse of this renders you completely useless as a songleader and marks amateurs. Remember that shouting is not singing either for you or for [campers.] Remind them, too.
Songleading at services requires you to know the various t'fillot in the siddur you are using (as well as the pages they are on.) Sitting during the amidah because you don't know the chords and must fumble with a [NFTY Chordster] is extremely distracting to all who join in prayer/ You are better off "bagging" the [guitar] and using just your voice.
Good songleaders know exactly which songs will be taught during the program and can break down each session's singing into discrete and teachable units. More on this is the "Repertoire" section.
An important part of the plan is knowing for how long to sing at a session. Services will usually require introductory niggunim as well as a variety of closing songs. Try to find appropriate closing hymns for services that allow for choices other than 613 versions of "Adon Olam."
Great songleaders can indeed change the mood of a session without resorting to cheap tricks. Resist the temptation. Don't pick on others to rescue yourself, and don't be self-deprecating. Your community must believe you to be competent and they really do want you to be.
When teaching a song, you may discover that you have less time than you though you did or that the group isn't catching on as fast as you had hoped. Don;t feel compelled to teach the entire song at one sitting. It's perfectly alright to teach just a first verse or even a first line. Please, though, do remember to come back and teach the balance later. There are thousands of adult Jews who know only the first to lines of every song ever written!
You must know a wide variety of worship elements, Hebrew songs, American and foreign folk songs, melodies without words (niggunim) and just plain funny stuff. You don't need to know every song ever written - but it couldn't hurt!
What's not okay? Anything off-color, and references to other religions (remember that two religion households are quite common) are never appropriate. Look for music that enhances the Jewish teachable moment.
Different ages require different repertoire. Older campers will have vocal abilities and musical experience often requiring more complicated melodies and longer songs. However-don't assume this from day one. Even the most veteran members of the group will want the security of a few old favorites and simple tunes. This will give you the chance to learn what they already know, and help you refine your curriculum.
