Riff + run style of r&b legends (Live lesson notes)

Live lesson notes: Riffs + runs

Learning runs from the best 

YouTube playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf4vxt3IDOYO3gGnI_xRraswoY5WKfrkp

Whitney Houston: 1:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSzmOKg1WIY

Mariah Carey: :20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4abd6m71hk

Brian McKnight: 2:40 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPrSFKK6e5w

Jazmine Sullivan: 2:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wDgAEvPSAE

Beyonce’: 1:55 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD38JT8rypY

Usher: 1:05  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIRv5zWbv_g

YEBBA + Clark Beckham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9Z_ftojuO4

H.E.R.: 1:50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz4kZ4sshBA

Tori Kelly: 1:20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTrb92wmLTU

Other great runners: Avery Wilson, JoJo, Jessie J, Pink, Ariana Grande, Scott Hoying; almost any r&b singer; some pop singers

How to make a run easier with your tone + vowel choice

1. Vowels: narrow vowels are easier (EE, OO): learn it on a narrow vowel and/or modify to a narrower vowel when you actually sing it
2. Tone: light is usually easier than heavy; nasal is usually easier than chesty

 Steps to breaking down + practicing any run

1. Slow it down (.75 speed on Youtube is a good place to start if it goes by too quickly)
2. Determine the individual pitches
3. Make a note of repeated pitches or directional changes (turns). Those can easily trip you up! Also take note of which pitch is stressed (or held longer): that will help you with timing!
4. Break it into manageable chunks (usually 2-3 sections, sometimes more if it’s a very long run).
5. Add a consonant and practice slowly.
6. Increase speed.
7. Remove the consonant.
8. Keep speeding up and add inflection.  

- Daily exercises to improve your vocal agility

Basically: anything fast, anything wide-range

In 30DS: look for “9-tone” and “long line agility”. Use exercises from the riffs + runs tutorial or any tutorials labelled “advanced” or “pro”. 

Main takeaway: Learn a bunch of runs - it’s the best way to learn how to run in the context of a song and get comfortable enough to create your own runs; challenge yourself to sing *just a tad* faster than you’re comfortable with (on agility warm-ups)

Hi Camille, how can I get better at singing in pitch?

If you missed the live lesson or want more practice, see my riff & run tutorial here: https://www.30daysinger.com/tutorial/runs-and-embellishments/1. 

Thanks all for joining and participating! Check my lesson booking page for info on the next live lesson (to be posted early next week). 

Thanks for asking here, Thalia! Here you go:

Intonation

The solution will depend on why you're going sharp or flat. Some things to consider are:

1. Are you breathing right before the phrase in question, so you're properly supported?

2. Are you in the correct register for your range? 

3. Is the vowel causing issues? (Try a different vowel shape and see if it's easier, then modify toward that vowel)

4. Is there a tricky leap leading up to that pitch? (If so, isolate that leap and practice singing it in tune)

Most intonation issues have to do with your ear, so get into the habit of singing the correct pitches in your head before you sing aloud. We call that "audiating", and it's immensely helpful in preparing for a pitch and executing it well. 

This tutorial has more tips on correcting sharpness and flatness: https://www.30daysinger.com/tutorial/key-to-perfect-pitch-and-intonation/1

And here's a warmup routine for improving intonation: https://www.30daysinger.com/tutorial/practice-routine-for-better-intonation-singers-who-struggle-with-pitch/1

Pitch matching with an app/chromatic tuner

You can use https://www.harpkit.com/online-tuner for reference pitches and https://tuner.ninja/ for a chromatic tuner. 

• Pitch apps: http://singtrue.co/ for a well thought out system; also check out https://www.guidingtech.com/55792/wonderful-ios-apps-musicians/
  
• Two similar apps (free to download and use most features - I wouldn't pay for the upgrade, though): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/learn-to-sing-perfect-pitch/id1409450884 & https://www.singsharpapp.com/
• For songs: use https://www.smule.com/ or a similar karaoke app that analyzes your pitch in real-time.

Thank you Camille!

You're welcome, Thalia!