[jengoesup]

Dear moderators/vocalists of CGR,

I was wondering if we could develop a compendium of vocal exercises by category, where categories could be, elasticity, range, ear/interval training, breath support, volume of breath, vowel sounds, basic warm ups, helpful visual metaphors which go under those categories, even sight singing, etc etc. Warm ups could be posted in a variety of formats--such as a Finale or Sibelius file, Noteworthy Composer file, or a .MIDI or .MP3--but preferably all of those that are purely musical exercises (versus, "lie on your back and pretend you are a tire..." type of exercises) would stick to a standard of at least a file containing sheet music (PDF or image)/tabs.

I realize that there could be quite a bit of overlap, but where possible these should be just exercises to better help people practice good technique, rather than help define good technique which seems to be more what the VAT is for. If necessary, exercises should help explain what they are trying to achieve, however. For example, "x exercise is helpful for warming up because it helps open up your upper register through the use of these vowels."

I'm posting this separate from the Vocal Advice Thread so that it is seen, but it's up to the mods whether they would like to incorporate it there, leave it separate or delete it.

Programs that will help with this thread:
1.) Finale NotePad: Free musical notation software, requires free sign up. Can save and print and export to .MIDI. Available for both Windows and Mac OS X.
2.) Sibelius Demo: Free demo version of the full featured software, this will enable anybody who doesn't have Sibelius to open Sibelius files posted here. Does not save. Don't remember if you can print, but it will play back everything. Available for both Windows and Mac OS X.
3.) Noteworthy Composer: Many of the same features as Finale NotePad, probably more. Can export files into MIDI format. Windows only.

So, I'll get this puppy rolling, and after that it can be formatted as seen fit. All code credits are to snizzle, seeing as I'm copying this from the VAT. For the exercises I've posted, I'll try to get tabs for them as soon as possible.



EXERCISES:
0) Blending
1) Breath support
2) Breath endurance
3) Diction
4) Ear/interval training
5) Elasticity
6) Range/Register
7) Sight singing
8) Warm ups

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0) BLENDING

1) BREATH SUPPORT

2) BREATH ENDURANCE


"Tss" exercise:
Lay one hand on your diaphragm, and beforehand make sure that with each inhale, your abdomen expands, and with each exhale, your abdomen contracts. Can be practiced either standing up or lying down, though lying down will help you make sure your abdomen is expanding and contracting at the right times.

1. Breathe in as much air as possible over four counts (as if you were counting in 4/4 time)
2. Exhale all breath over four counts on the syllable "tss" (as if you were a balloon leaking air)
3. Inhale for four counts
4. Exhale all breath over eight counts (don't forget the syllable)
5. Inhale for four counts
6. Exhale for twelve counts
7. Inhale for four counts
8. Exhale for 18 counts
9. Inhale for four counts
10. Exhale for 20 counts
11. Inhale for four counts
12. Exhale for as many counts as possible
13. Repeat all steps

3) DICTION

4) EAR/INTERVAL TRAINING


Scalar exercise 1:
Practice singing a major scale, preferably one that sits comfortably in your range (Ex: C), followed by it's related natural minor scale (C minor), followed by the harmonic version, followed by the melodic version. Then, try the next scale up (Ex: D# major). See PDF or Finale versions for an example in C Major.

Interval exercise 1:
Practice singing a major scale, preferably one that sits comfortably in your range (Ex: C). Then sing a major chord as a triad (so, an C major triad would be, C, E, G). Then sing an augmented chord as a triad, followed by a major chord, followed by a minor chord, followed by a diminished chord. Then move up a scale (in this case, move to F major). See PDF or Finale versions for an example in E major.


5) ELASTICITY

6) RANGE/REGISTER

7) SIGHT SINGING

8) WARM UPS

High Register Exercise 1:
This exercise is best starting at the top of your range, and will really help loosen up your voice. Make sure you drop your jaw on the "yah"s and the "yoh"s, as if you were at the dentist's office. Make sure that you are as legato as possible. All you have to do is pick a pitch and follow the pattern as shown in the PDF and Finale files.

[Ax]

Good idea.