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Summary of Question:	How To Sing Shabads
Category:	Gurbani
Date Posted:	Saturday, 1/04/2003 3:29 AM MST

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!!

I was wondering if you could answer a question of mine - is there a "wrong" way to do kirtan? I have taken a few voice and kirtan lessons, but they were in late childhood, and I have recently rediscovered my passion for singing shabads.
However, I have found that when I sing, I sing loudly - very loudly!
Family members have commented that I have a beautiful voice, that I sing with great passion, but I feel that I sing differently than other girls.
They sing with sharper voices when they go high, whereas I sing with a more of a booming voice - I cant really describe it well - perhaps I could say that I sing in a way that men usually sing in?
Anyway, to reach higher notes (ie. re and ga), I definitely NEED to be singing with all of my strength just reach them at full voice - am I just out of practice???
Basically - is there a correct way to sing, and is there such a thing as singing too loudly?!?!?
Your answer will be much appreciated
Rab Rakha
Preetinder Kaur

(REPLY) Sat Nam. Your question may need the help of a trained Ragi for a technical answer, but I can tell you my opinion, and that is that Gurbani Kirtan should be sung with devotion, that's the most important thing. Voice training is another subject. I hope someone else may be able to supply a more detailed answer. Probably as you continue singing, your voice will develop and possibly change a bit. If you're singing so loudly that no one else can be heard, and you're part of a group, I guess that's too loud! But if you're singing alone, and with devotion, then what's the problem? Just remember, when you offer Gurbani Kirtan you're not singing for an audience, you're singing for God and Guru.