do you love to sing?

Come and join us!

How to . . . Recording instructions

Friends,

It is some months since the TVP singers made a new song recording. I am sorry for the delay which is due to my distraction. Although we may be gathering for worship again fairly soon, I don't think singing is going to be permitted for a while, so it definitely worth making more music.

And it is definitely worth joining in - new recruits are particularly welcome.

I have had a request for 'Were I to cross from land to land', the setting of Psalm 139 from New Scottish Hymns. A lovely song to sing or listen to, we can all agree, so let's give it a go.

I usually send out a version of the music without any singer. In this case, the accompaniment is a bit plonk-plonk and tuneless to sing along to, so I am sending the version with vocalist. When I edit, I'll remove the original voice and use the accompaniment, so we'll all sound particularly good!

There are instrumental breaks after every second verse. I'll probably edit in some pictures at that stage so you won't be on-screen. However, please continue to look as if you're enjoying yourself!

So here is the backing track, the words and the instructions. Enjoy! And return your recording to me May 8th, please.

Thank you so much for participating.

Robert Simpson

How to . . . Recording instructions

How to record your contribution to TVP distanced singers

As well as these instructions you should have the words and the backing track.

1. Download the music to your computer.

2. Print the words.

3. Plug in headphones and make sure your computer sound is only audible to you.

4. Start the backing on the music player and pause it at once. (You might prefer to use a separate machine for playing the music.)

5. Start your computer camera. There are lots of apps on every machine to do this and any one will be fine. However, if you are familiar with Zoom, that’s one of the easiest ways, although not the highest quality.

a) Start a new Zoom meeting (with you the only participant);

b) Make the Zoom window small enough that you can see the music player at the same time;

c) Select Video-Settings-Recording and choose or just note where recording is going to be stored;

d) Click on ‘Record’ button (further recording instructions at para 9).

6. Start camera before music. There’s no rush. I shall cut out anything that is recorded before the music starts, but it is better to have too much than too little.

7. Pause, catch you breath, SMILE!

8. Start the music.

9. Sing – SMILE and try to keep your eyes up!

10. At the end:

a) SMILE!

b) Let the recording run for a few more seconds before you move (again, there’s no hurry – I’ll trim the end);

c) Click on ‘Stop’ and exit Zoom (the recording is not available until you close the meeting);

d) Go to the storage place and find the video (probably called something like ‘Zoom_0.mp4’);

e) Check the volume level (I can adjust this to some extent);

f) Voice and picture are sometimes out of sync – I’ll fix this;

g) Send it to me. If it’s too big for e-mail, you could use Dropbox. Ask for advice.

The resulting track will sound embarrassingly reedy and full of errors. I know – I’ve been there! It honestly does not matter. Assembled with the other voices and the backing track it will sound great.

If you need further help do ring (01875-820843). Please get your recording to me by 08 May.

Thank you very much for participating!

Robert S