Practical Blending for Choirs, Part 2 April 23, 2009

I’m always looking for exercises that do double (or triple) duty. Here’s one to sing with a rhythm of triplets. The words are: “Diction is done with the tip of the tongue and the teeth.” Go up or down by half or whole steps.

Sop 8
Alto 3
Ten 5
Bass 1

Other words to try in a triplet pattern: “Nothing pops into my head.”

In a more advanced group, you can have them face each other or stand in a circle, each standing next to someone who is not singing the same part.
Again, vary the vowels or words. Use the keys of Bm, Cm, C#m… (note: the 4 parts are written separately, but should be sung at once; use the words given for sopranos)

Sop----5----5---5-- 3------3---- 3----2--------1--------
-------No---oth-er--name-but---Je------------sus.------

Alto ---3----3---3---1------7---- 1----maj.7----1--------

Ten--- 1----7---7---6------5------6----5-------5--------

Bass ---1--- 7---7--- 6------5-----4----5--------1--------


Try this in the keys of D, Eb, E…

Sop---3----5---- 2--------2----4----3---------2-------2------1--------
-------I----------will------give------thanks---bless---the-----Lord!---

Alto---1----------7---------7----2---1---------1------7—6-----5--------

Ten ---5----------5---------5------- 5-------- 6------5—4-----3--------

Bass---1----3-----5---------5----7---1--------4------5--------1--------


Try some of your own chord progressions, or look for the book below.

Other Resource: The Choral Warm-Up Collection compiled and edited by Sally K. Albrecht (51 directors contributed 167 warm-ups)
Published by Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. 2003