Description:
Starting nice and easy with a 3-note pattern.
To ensure we’re singing all 3 pitches clearly, we’ll start staccato (short & detached), and then smooth it out. Notice the first pitch is elongated each time, and the 2 pitches that follow are fast.
To ensure we’re singing all 3 pitches clearly, we’ll start staccato (short & detached), and then smooth it out. Notice the first pitch is elongated each time, and the 2 pitches that follow are fast.
Exercise 1: 5–43 x2 (staccato, legato)
Add on two more pitches, and we have a 5-note riff. If this sounds familiar, it’s the end of Madison Beer’s “Selfish” riff. Again, sing staccato first, then legato. There are 5 distinct pitches, so if you want to practice a few times on numbers, you could sing [5-4321], or [1-2345], if counting backwards is too tricky.
Exercise 2: 5–4321 x2 (staccato, legato)
So far, we’ve only riffed in one direction: down. And while the majority of riffs do tend to descend more than they ascend, we also want to practice changing directions. It can be helpful to visualize what this riff might look like on paper. If counting helps, you might count [123456], and point up on the number 4 to remind yourself of that direction change.
Try it on “doo”
And now on “oo” or another vowel
Exercise 3: 876765 x2 (staccato, legato)
In the next lesson, we’ll learn some pentatonic scale patterns!
Lessons:
- 1: Welcome
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2:
Warmup
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3:
Major Scale Patterns
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4:
Pentatonic Scale Patterns
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5:
Pulses & Bends
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6:
Conclusion
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.