Happy Harmonizing

I love to sing. It's one of my favorite things to do, but it's often more fun when there are others to sing with.  The sound of many voices singing together in unison is very nice, but harmonies are one of my favorite aspects of music.  Blending notes in such a way to create depth and emotion in a song is very powerful.  Not everyone is able to pick out a harmony part and sing it alone.  It is something that is learned through much practice, by following someone else who has more experience, or it's a rare gift.  Whether harmony is created by rote or intuition, whether it is practiced or improvised, it is well worth the effort to produce.

When two people sing in harmony, they are not singing the same note.  Normally there is a more dominate part, the melody, and the harmony is added by producing notes above or below it that intentionally blend well and compliment it.  Sometimes, though, harmonies blend so well that it is difficult to distinguish a melody, you just hear the whole chord.  Occasionally one of my children will be singing a song and another will join in, but the key is not comfortable for the second child.  Instead of singing a harmony, sometimes they will begin to sing the melody in a different key causing discord, confusion and conflict.  If they would be willing to take the trouble of finding a harmony they could sing in a comfortable range while adding a pleasing new dimension to the song.  

Unfortunately many people live like the second child in this example.  If something isn't going their way they try to dominate the situation and do things the way they want them done, regardless of how it conflicts with those around them.  They throw the song that was being sung into chaos in an attempt to have things their way.  They cause conflict and discord, and rather than contributing to the beauty of the song they discourage the rest of the singers.  The better option would be to figure out how they can fit into the song in a way that blends?

What can be done when someone tries to dominate off key literally or metaphorically speaking?  When you are in close proximity to them it becomes tempting to stop singing altogether.  When the people involved are brothers and sisters in Christ, it is important for them to remember that their Father is conducting the symphony.  He has a part for each voice in the choir as well as each instrument in the orchestra, and He is the master composer. Each person will play an integral part in the performance of His work.  Sometimes it will be a lead and at other times it will be supporting. There are even measures of rest which often transition into something new.  Whatever the part is, it is crucial that each member of the ensemble take their directions from the conductor and keep their instrument in tune.  

Sometimes brothers and sisters have a fight for dominance that causes awful discord.  They forget that God is the conductor and also the composer of the song.  He is writing a beautiful piece, and all we need to do is play the part He has chosen for us.  We are not the writers.  We can't take our eyes off of Him.  If we are too concerned with someone else's part we are going to make mistakes with the one He has given us.  We need to listen to what those around us are playing and blend our parts together, all the while following the conductor.  We need to keep our eyes on Him and let Him lead. Sometimes He will have us right up front on the melody, other times He will move us more to the background on a harmony, and there will be times when He gives us measures of rests.  That doesn't mean we have been removed from the song; it's just our time to take a few deep breaths and prepare to come in harmonizing well with those around us in a beautiful song.