Good morning! Welcome to Visual Christian music: More than the meaning

Workshop description Visual Christian Music: More than the meaning Music is so much more than just the meaning of words. It involves specific styles, rhythms, history and presentation. When interpreting or presenting a song in American Sign Language we must be careful not to lose the features of the song that make it what it is – MUSIC. This workshop will guide participants to recognize and incorporate all aspects of a song in order to make it clear, visual and melodic. Genres will include mostly modern and hymnal Christian music but will also include some current pop and country music.

Survey summary – for today… 84% Deaf from birth or by age 5 71% likes music ‘a lot’! Love music in ASL by votes: – “Love it” = 16 – enjoy music ok = 4 – sometimes yes, sometimes no = 7 – not really interested = 1, not at all = 1 See the CONCEPT = 24 votes ENGLISH words = 9 votes Most important by votes: – Show the rhythm = 18 – Lots of facial expression = 21 – Dance with the music = 8

Survey Comments Love music but I don’t understand the words I love Christmas, pretty show best sign clearly For repeated words – try to have two different signs for the same word to make it more interesting I prefer songs that makes it possible to be more expressive than fast songs where it can get blurry with fast signing. It’s a good exercise in using ASL skills, but its more for hearing people than deaf. I’m here to see the band’s show, not yours. Don’t try to ‘score points’ with the band / people on the stage, even during ‘down time’. Be professional! Keep up the good work you do!!

More comments / suggestions: Prepare way in advance Sign conceptual correct or lose audience fast Emotions communicates key points of the song Clarify your fingers = don’t be lazy

“Some ‘performances’ will not use the most appropriate signs, avoid critiquing too harshly, find ways to teach the language in an effective way. Teach others that to alter ASL can be used in a negative manner. It is a language, not an art form. Everyone will interpret it differently, just do your best you can, always. If you don’t feel qualified to sign the message, ask for help or change with someone… we are all learning, don’t feel badly.”

“Interpreters are there because I asked for one, they are not there for themselves. See too many interpreters do their own thing, forget throw away deaf in audience. I pay good money to see the show not the interpreter, wish interpreter action invisible to watch and help understand music is all.” Anonymous Deaf

Our Goal: Recognize and incorporate all aspects of a song to make it: CLEAR VISUAL MELODIC When the ‘MUSIC’ aspect is lost: It becomes just another ‘lecture’ – No rhythm – No facial expression – BORING!!!!

Things to consider: More than the meaning includes: 1.Styles (genre) 2.Rhythm 3.History 4.Presentation

1. Styles / Genre Country Pop Rock Christian

2. Recognize the Rhythm: Most typical: 8 count, repeat – Can use as 8 (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) – Or 4 count with pause (1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and) 3 count – waltz count – 123,123,123,123 Popular by Deaf: 2, 3 count = 1,2 - 1,2,3 – Notice the 8 count: 1 (2 pause), 3 (4 pause) 5, 6, 7 (8 pause) Continuous flow – Stories – Communication Change in tempo – Show a specific change from fast to slow or vice-versa

3. History Research the meaning of the song Use the original music video – Call Me Maybe Use Google search Use the band’s website

4. Presentation Stand Sit Move Facial Expression Accurate concepts – Historical – Current relativity

Now…what to do when… The words rhyme The song has a prelude or an interlude “Ahhh” – “Ohhhh” – “Yeah, yeah, yeah” You don’t know the vocabulary

Songs Country Changed – Rascal Flatts (song) Modern Christian Good Morning – Mandisa Steal My Show – Toby Mac Hymnal Christian How Great Thou Art – Carrie Underwood Your Great Name –Natalie Grant How He Loves – David Crowder Band Current pop Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen Star Spangled Banner – Whitney Houston