Description:
Instructor Abram introduces the minor scale through a short improvisation in D minor, explaining how its sad quality contrasts with the brighter sound of the major scale. He previews the full lesson structure, covering the basics of the minor scale, muscle memory drills, a folk song application, and a final test.
To prepare, you’ll review perfect intervals found in both scales with a short warmup:
- A Perfect 4th – (14441)
- Sing a Perfect 5th – (1-5-1-5-1)
- Go All the Way – (1, 1-8-1)
Singers are encouraged to adjust octaves based on their vocal range.
Lessons:
Instructor: Abram Poliakoff
Abram Poliakoff is a singer, guitarist, pianist, teacher, conductor, and composer. He received a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Arts from USC’s Thornton School of Music and has been teaching music for 8 years. He is currently both the Associate Artistic Director and a tenor in the L.A. Choral Lab, which recently released its first studio album Sonic Visions in the fall of 2019. Abram teaches and performs a wide range of genres including Classical, Jazz, Folk and Popular music in the Los Angeles area. He has also sung with the San Francisco Opera and Pocket Opera in the Bay Area. His teaching mission is to help his students utilize vocal technique to find their authentic and healthy voice while maximizing genre flexibility and a naturalness of expression.