Description:
A 3-note riff can be descending or ascending, and it’s the simplest pattern to start with! Although you could include skips in a 3-note riff, all of ours will just be stepwise, meaning each subsequent note is just one step above or below the note that precedes it.
Our exercise will combine descending and ascending patterns, walking up the major scale. It’s a long one, so we’ll learn it listen and repeat style first!
You’re welcome to sing this on any vowel you like. If you need help getting distinction between each pitch, I recommend adding an H or a [glottal] sound. And if that’s still too tricky, add a consonant like “d.” Over time, you can challenge yourself to reduce the level of support until you’re comfortable on just a vowel.
Let’s learn this pattern together! At each step, we’ll descend, then ascend on the same pitches.
Listen & repeat:
DTL, LTD
RDT, TDR
MRD, DRM
FMR, RMF
SFM, MFS
LSF, FSL
TLS, SLT
DSD
Let’s try putting all of that together!
Now, we’ll try it in a few different keys to cover a wider range.
Exercise: 3-note riffs up the scale, starting with DTL, LTD; RDT, TDR; etc; end with D S D
Time to try out a few 3-note patterns in a song! We’re using the Star Spangled Banner, because it’s a very popular song that people often embellish with riffs and runs. I’ll teach you 4 riff patterns to try, starting with some listen & repeat practice before I play the chords for you to try it on your own.
Song work: Learn the 4 highlighted riff patterns below:
Eb7 Ab Eb Fm7 C7 Fm Bb7 Eb
"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early (L TDR D) light"
Listen & repeat
Ab Eb Db Ab Eb Ab
"What so proudly we hailed (TLS) at the twilight's last gleaming? (MRD D)"
Listen & repeat
Eb Ab
"at the twilight's last gleaming? (MRD D)"
Listen & repeat
Ab Bbm7 Ab Db F7 Bbm Ebsus4 Eb
"Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wa - ave (F MRD)
Well done! See you in the next lesson.
Our exercise will combine descending and ascending patterns, walking up the major scale. It’s a long one, so we’ll learn it listen and repeat style first!
You’re welcome to sing this on any vowel you like. If you need help getting distinction between each pitch, I recommend adding an H or a [glottal] sound. And if that’s still too tricky, add a consonant like “d.” Over time, you can challenge yourself to reduce the level of support until you’re comfortable on just a vowel.
Let’s learn this pattern together! At each step, we’ll descend, then ascend on the same pitches.
Listen & repeat:
DTL, LTD
RDT, TDR
MRD, DRM
FMR, RMF
SFM, MFS
LSF, FSL
TLS, SLT
DSD
Let’s try putting all of that together!
Now, we’ll try it in a few different keys to cover a wider range.
Exercise: 3-note riffs up the scale, starting with DTL, LTD; RDT, TDR; etc; end with D S D
Time to try out a few 3-note patterns in a song! We’re using the Star Spangled Banner, because it’s a very popular song that people often embellish with riffs and runs. I’ll teach you 4 riff patterns to try, starting with some listen & repeat practice before I play the chords for you to try it on your own.
Song work: Learn the 4 highlighted riff patterns below:
Eb7 Ab Eb Fm7 C7 Fm Bb7 Eb
"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early (L TDR D) light"
Listen & repeat
Ab Eb Db Ab Eb Ab
"What so proudly we hailed (TLS) at the twilight's last gleaming? (MRD D)"
Listen & repeat
Eb Ab
"at the twilight's last gleaming? (MRD D)"
Listen & repeat
Ab Bbm7 Ab Db F7 Bbm Ebsus4 Eb
"Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wa - ave (F MRD)
Well done! See you in the next lesson.
Lessons:
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.