Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Choir"

To sign 'choir', start by signing 'music': hold your non-dominant arm horizontally across your body and sweep your dominant flat hand back and forth over your forearm. Then, to indicate the group of singers, bring both hands up in front of you with palms facing forward and fingers spread, and move them outward to the sides.

Examples Using "Choir" in a Sentence

1

I joined the school choir.

To sign this, start by signing 'school', then sign 'choir' using the two-part motion described. Finish by pointing to yourself and signing 'join'. Make sure to look excited!

2

The choir sang beautifully.

Begin with the sign for 'choir', then sign 'sing'. Follow this up with the sign for 'beautiful', starting at your face and opening your hand outward. Use an appreciative facial expression.

3

Where is the choir practice?

Sign 'choir', followed by 'practice' (rubbing your dominant 'A' hand against your non-dominant index finger). Finally, sign 'where' while furrowing your eyebrows to show it is a WH-question.

How to Sign "Choir"
To sign 'choir', start by signing 'music': hold your non-dominant arm horizontally across your body and sweep your dominant flat hand back and forth over your forearm. Then, to indicate the group of singers, bring both hands up in front of you with palms facing forward and fingers spread, and move them outward to the sides.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'choir' is a highly visual compound sign that beautifully combines two distinct concepts. The first half of the sign is the standard ASL sign for 'music' or 'sing', where the sweeping motion mimics the rhythmic waving of a conductor's baton or the flowing nature of a melody. The second half of the sign uses open hands spreading outward to visually depict a large group of people standing side-by-side, perfectly representing a choir formation.
Signing Tips
When signing 'choir', focus on making a clear distinction between the two parts of the compound sign. The first movement, representing 'music', should be a smooth, rhythmic sweeping motion over your forearm. For the second part, ensure your palms are facing outward with your fingers spread, moving apart to visually represent the wide arrangement of a choir standing together. Keep your movements controlled and deliberate so the meaning is easily understood by the person you are signing with.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is blending the two parts of the sign too closely, which can confuse the viewer. It is important to finish the 'music' sweep before bringing both hands up for the group formation. Additionally, some learners forget to turn their palms forward during the second half of the sign, or they fail to spread their fingers. The open, forward-facing hands are crucial because they visually represent the multiple people standing in the choir.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Choir" in a Sentence
1

I joined the school choir.

To sign this, start by signing 'school', then sign 'choir' using the two-part motion described. Finish by pointing to yourself and signing 'join'. Make sure to look excited!

2

The choir sang beautifully.

Begin with the sign for 'choir', then sign 'sing'. Follow this up with the sign for 'beautiful', starting at your face and opening your hand outward. Use an appreciative facial expression.

3

Where is the choir practice?

Sign 'choir', followed by 'practice' (rubbing your dominant 'A' hand against your non-dominant index finger). Finally, sign 'where' while furrowing your eyebrows to show it is a WH-question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'choir' the same as 'music'?

They share the exact same beginning! 'Choir' starts with the standard sign for 'music' or 'sing'. However, 'choir' requires a second movement where both hands move outward to represent the group of singers. If you only do the first part, you are just signing 'music'.

Can I sign 'sing' followed by the standard sign for 'group'?

Yes, absolutely! Signing 'sing' (or 'music') followed by the standard 'group' sign—using 'C' handshapes that circle outward and meet—is another very common and widely accepted way to sign 'choir' in the Deaf community.

Which hand should do the sweeping motion?

Your dominant hand should always be the one doing the active sweeping motion. Your non-dominant arm acts as the stationary base. This rule applies to most ASL signs where one hand moves and the other stays still.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!