Description:
So far, we’ve sung pitches right next to one another (steps, or stepwise motion) and pitches a few steps away from one another (skips or leaps). Today we’ll learn to sing an arpeggio.
First, a chord is made of more than one pitch played at the same time. An arpeggio is when you play or sing the pitches of a chord individually. The melody of “Kumbaya” starts with an arpeggio.
Let’s walk through a 5-tone scale to find these pitches. First sing 12345. Now just sing 1, 3 and 5, leaving space for steps 2 & 4. Great! Now come back down to 1.
There are different chord qualities, by the way. This one is a major chord, but we also have minor chords, diminished, and augmented. You can also have chords with more than three pitches. But we’re starting out nice and simple with a major triad.
Listen & repeat this first time through!
Exercise: 13531, listen & repeat
Try it without the repeat this time!
Exercise: 13531
Are you ready for a challenge? I’ll play the chord this time, but not the arpeggio, meaning you’ll hear those three pitches all at once, and it’s up to you to extract the individual pitches to sing. Let’s try it slowly.
Exercise/quiz: 13531 - piano plays chord & student sings arpeggio
For a next-level challenge, let’s practice filling in a major triad. For example, I’ll play 1 & 3, you sing 1, 3, and fill in 5
Exercise/game: Play 13, student sing 135
Last challenge! I’ll just play 1, and see if you can fill in 3 and 5, like this
Exercise/game: Play 1, student sing 135
Great work! We’ll have more fun tomorrow working on our tonal memory.
Lessons:
- Day 1: Principles, Terms & How To Use A Chromatic Tuner
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Day 2:
Higher, Lower & Same
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Day 3:
Unison
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Day 4:
Fifths
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Day 5:
Major Thirds
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Day 6:
Whole & Half Steps
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Day 7:
Major Scale
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Day 8:
Steps & Skips
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Day 9:
Arpeggios
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Day 10:
Tonal Memory Games
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Day 11:
Tonal Memory Songs
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Day 12:
Easy Song
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Day 13:
“Harder” song
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Day 14:
Congrats & What’s Next
Instructor: Camille van Niekerk
Camille van Niekerk is a singer, writer and vocal instructor in Southern California. Camille began studying voice and performing in musicals at age seven. In 2010, Camille began working towards her BA in Music Education at Azusa Pacific University. She then earned her teaching credential from San Diego State University and taught classroom choral and instrumental music. Shortly after moving to LA county, Camille began her private vocal studio, providing vocal coaching, ear training, and recording for students of all ages. She is constantly refining her skills and methods for greater versatility and effectiveness. When she is not teaching, Camille enjoys singing with the L.A. Choral Lab and Ensoma Creative. She lives in San Diego with her husband and loves going to the beach, practicing yoga, reading, and cooking.