Improving Clarity

From: Key to Improving Riffs and Runs
by Camille van Niekerk
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Description:

The first step to improving your riffs is making them clear. Without clarity, riffs can sound like a slide rather than distinct notes. For this, we'll use a popular descending pentatonic riff as our example. Let’s break down four steps to improve clarity:
  1. Start with a consonant sound (e.g., D): This helps distinguish each pitch and shows which ones are accurate. Let’s try it together with the pattern LSMRD on "DOO" or "DAH."
    [Practice LSMRD on DOO/DAH]
  2. Replace with an "H" sound: This provides distinction but is closer to a smooth connection. Try singing the same pattern now with "HOO" or "HAH."
    [Practice LSMRD on HOO/HAH]
  3. Add a glottal onset: This means starting each note with a clear "a" sound, as in the beginning of the word "apple." This makes your vocal folds close cleanly for each pitch. Try this now on the riff pattern.
    [Practice LSMRD with glottal onset]
  4. Sing legato (smooth and connected): After practicing the previous steps, the transition to singing the riff legato should come naturally.
    [Practice LSMRD legato]
Song Example:
Let's take a riff from Whitney Houston’s Star Spangled Banner. On the word "wave," she sings a riff that we’ll now practice using the same four steps.
  • Day
  • Hay
  • ah
  • Wave
Follow these steps to get your riffs clean and clear, and we’ll dive into speed in the next video.

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.