Virtual Pub or group Singing is in a similar vein as singing in the group in the local pub, but with a caveat; it’s online and more people from different regions can participate.
Virtual Singing Groups is popular all over the world, especially due to COVID-19 infecting millions of people. But people still want to join together and sing. It’s a great alternative to actual pub singing, in precarious times like these.
The benefits of singing are varied, from increasing our ——- and lowering the stress hormone cortisol. Singing especially in groups improves our sense of community and belonging. It decreases our mental health issues such as depression and improves our ability to cope with stressful situations.
The Benefits of Singing in Person in a Pub or with a Group
· Can sing as a group which increases camaraderie
· Increases a sense of community
· Can read the musical directors’ directions better
· Can hear and read each other’s body language better
· Can work with better synergy
· Can hear each other’s tone of voice, and pitch better
· Can have a drink before, during or after the singing (if in a pub sing)
· You feel as though you have gotten out of the house
· Great synergy when singing in a group
It is far better to sing as a group when all people are in the same room. Singers can read each other’s body language, can hear the tones and pitches of each other better and can watch the direction of the musical director closely. These elements help singers know when to come in properly, keep to the beat and rhythm of the piece being sung. There is also amazing synergy when there are many people singing in one room.
If we are singing on a program such as the online meet site ZOOM, we are able to see a select number of singers, on a screen at one time. We can hear their voices, but often some people are slower to know when to begin singing at the correct time and feel the nuances, compared with if they were in the room.
The benefits of singing as a group on Zoom, is the mere fact that people can join a Virtual Singing along from virtually anywhere in the world.
Benefits of Virtual Singing
* can join from anywhere in the world
* can invite friends from anywhere in the world to join
* Don’t have to drive to the venue to sing
* If drinking, you don’t’ have to worry about driving drunk
* Can sing with many, many people at one time
* Don’t have to dress up for the event
* You can see new people you’ve never worked with before
* Those who are normally a bit shy can join in from the comfort of their home.
* Combats loneliness which can be stressful
* Anyone should be able to join, no matter the creed, race, ethnic ro gender they came from
There are of course benefits such as singing decreases stress and increases a feeling of calm and well-being mainly due to the release of dopamine hormone. That is probably a huge reason why singing is a past-time of all cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds.
How Do You Join a Virtual Pub Sing
You need to check social media first. Go to Facebook and check for Singing groups to join in your local area. If not in your area, go wider a field. I personally hooked up with our capital city Wellington in New Zealand and I live in Napier. There was a great Pub Sing Group organized by local lasses who love to sing.
My sister asked me to join a particular online ‘Pub Sing along Group, ‘and I did. It was interesting that we had about 200 singers who joined in from all over the country. Keep in mind that normally they would have about 25 singers who would come to their actual Pub Singalong group.
So even for the organizers they were delightfully surprised at the interest and meeting new people they would not normally get the time to do.
My sister Mary emailed me the Zoom link, which made it a lot easier to link in. It was pretty straight forward, once you found you were in the room (with other group members) you are practically ready to rehearse and learn new songs. (If you want to know how to link in with Zoom check out this link).
We learned as a group one new song together. The musical director slowly went over each lyrical sentence. We were allowed to recorded our voices our phone recording. This was so we could enhance the overall sound of the group. Some of us sent that info as a emailed mp3 link for the organizers to download and add to their current recording.
I liked doing this because I wanted to sound my best and make sure I didn’t sound off pitch. It actually gave me more control. But I could have re-recorded my version again using their original recording.
Once I was happy with my singing, I emailed the organizers my mp3 version and they would have added that into their video.
A few days later the organizers sent their edited version of our song onto their Virtual Pup Facebook page. I was great seeing so many singers and to spot myself very briefly. I could also scroll through previous Pub Sing versions as well. I personally think it’s a great idea for those who are isolated at home during Covid lockdowns.
Set Up Your Own Virtual Pub Singalong
If you don’t have a local sing along group and are keen to start one, here are some ideas to get you going. If you are maestro on the keyboard, have access to a piano or electronic keyboard, have a strong repertoire of songs and really want to lead a group in an online forum, why not set up your own. As they say; ‘Build it, and they’ll come.’
Think about choosing upbeat songs which you have rehearsed and know backwards. If you can sing, that is even better. You’ll need to play the introduction and the first verse, then repeat it with the group. Keep going over each verse and chorus until all the participants are confident.
Learn how to set up your own Zoom Meet which includes the time, date and link for your participants.
Send out an invitation to your friends and family and anyone who will love to sing with you on your first pub sing. Remember any age group should be able to join because you really aren’t promoting alcohol, but the singing which comes with it.
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On the day, make sure you have your keyboard, music and camera set to record you. You could use your phone camera, a laptop to live record yourself live.
Your first virtual singing meet up will probably have its fits and starts and issues. But once you have the hang of how to Zoom yourselves, play, teach and record yourself live, you’ll be perfectly fine. Do remember to press the record button on Zoom so you can download the footage, edit if you want to and then upload to your favorite social media page.
Once you have recorded your final version of the song, you can send to your group via email, a private YouTube account, Facebook page or any other social media which is convenient for you.
If you are interested in learning how to find good material for a virtual talent show, check out my previous post here.
So now you have an idea where to find and to connect to a virtual singing group. You also know about the pros and cons of this style of singing and how to start your own group. Nothing is stopping you, you’re now the expert, so get cracking and don’t forget to add me into your group! melcoddingto@gmail.com.
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