Description:
We’ll start with some basic embellishments, scoops, falls, pulses, and bends. All of these can be used on their own or in combination with runs and turns. For each of these embellishments, you’ll get the chance to try it out along with a few more specific variations.
Exercise A: I’m Fallin’ for You (5-4,4-3,3-2,2-1) Defined Fall
First up, falls, where we fall in pitch to a defined or undefined ending point. Defined would sound like this [Sing defined on “hey” 5-1, 3-1, 2-1].
Now, falling off without a defined ending point: [Sing “Falling off the track”]. Let’s do that a few more times
Now, falling off without a defined ending point: [Sing “Falling off the track”]. Let’s do that a few more times
Now let’s try a more specific exercise with defined falls. It goes like this (demonstrate). That's (demonstrate). Great, let's put it to practice
Exercise B: Slide with me (3,2,1) Undefined Scoop
Exercise B: Slide with me (3,2,1) Undefined Scoop
Now let’s try scooping, where we slide up to a pitch from a defined or undefined lower pitch.
Now try getting to (this pitch) without defining a starting point (demonstrate). Singers do this all the time, especially before singing a run!
Let’s try a short exercise where we do some undefined scoops.
Hey pulse, Yeah Bend
Last up we have pulsing where we attack the same pitch twice, approaching the second time from below.
Similar to pulsing, we have bending: reattacking the same pitch twice, approaching the second time from above, These sound similar to scoops, but have a less defined destination and are used in more bluesy runs a lot!
Listen for these embellishments in your favorite songs and practice imitating what you hear!
See you in Part 2.
Lessons:
- 1: Welcome
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2:
Embellishments
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3:
3-Note Runs
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4:
4-Note Turnarounds
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5:
Conclusion/Amazing Grace
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.