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

Vocal Blend Exercises for Choirs

Yesterday I wrote about blending. Today I begin to offer how-to suggestions.

In a church choir, often the members have never sung with a group before. They may not have played an instrument, learned to read notes, or had any vocal coaching. It’s all new.

If we keep them short and to the point, these learning sessions can be fairly painless; even fun.
In addition to singing the correct notes and words, a good blend will make your sound really pop. Sometimes you can use a line from a piece you’re working on to focus on this skill. Other times a simple exercise for one or two minutes can raise awareness and make a big difference.

In the next few days, I’ll include exercises for you to try. Be creative! Change the vowels, sing words, switch voices around, change the tempo to get them to watch you. Remind them from time to time to listen to the other parts.

Try this exercise a cappella. Have them listen carefully to each other, trying to match their vowels, pitch, and tone quality. Go up or down by half steps.

1-----3-----5-----3-----1-----
Ah oh oo oh ah

You might also ask them to feel a narrowing of the vowels on the way up.
Next have the choir stand and face each other, or stand (or sit) in a circle. Do this exercise first with piano, then a cappella. Use various vowel sounds or “Sing al-le-lu-ia”. Go up or down by half-steps. Try the Key of C…

Sop 8 8 8 8 8---
Alto 3 3 3 3 3---
Ten 5 5 5 5 5---
Bass 1 1 1 1 1---

More advanced exercises tomorrow...