Week 3 – Oct 1
Homework – Due Oct 8
1. 🎧 Solfège Practice
- Do Re Do: Continue practicing the warm-up to get familiar with your voice’s range.
Why Do We Practice Solfège So Much? 🎶
Think of Solfège (you know, “Do Re Mi…”) like a workout for your musical ear! Here’s why it’s so helpful:
- Find the Right Notes More Easily: Solfège helps you get used to the distance between notes. This makes it easier to find your notes when singing new songs.
- Sing in Harmony Without the Stress: By practicing intervals (like the space between Do and Mi), you’ll be more confident picking out harmony parts.
- Boost Your Confidence: The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Think of it like learning a dance step; it might be tricky at first, but soon it becomes second nature.
- Become a Better Listener: Solfège helps you hear what’s happening in the music around you, whether it’s the melody, harmony, or how you fit in with the group. This way, we blend our voices like a true choir!
So, when we practice Solfège, we’re giving our ears and voices the tools to find those sweet spots in our songs. And hey, it’s all about having fun and sounding great together! 🎤songs. And hey, it’s all about having fun and sounding great together! 🎤
2. 🎶 Practice “Lean on Me” Chorus – Melody and Harmonies
Lyrics:
Lean on me when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Audio Clips:
- Lean on me Chorus: All Parts – Key of C
- Lean on me Chorus: Backing Track – Key of C
- Lean on me Chorus: Melody vocal track – First note is E
- Lean on me Chorus: Major 3rd harmony vocal track – First note is G
- Lean on me Chorus: Perfect 5th harmony vocal track – First note is B (high)
- Lean on me Chorus: Perfect 5th harmony vocal track – First note is B (low)
Practice Tips:
- Step 1: Start with the melody and sing along until you’re comfortable.
- Step 2: Move on to the Major 3rd harmony and practice singing along with the audio.
- Step 3: Lastly, try the Perfect 5th harmony. Take your time and repeat as needed!
3. 📚 The 4 Stages of Learning – Embrace the Journey!
Learning something new can be challenging, and it’s okay to stumble. Here’s a reminder of the journey we all go through:
- Unconscious Incompetence: At first, you might not realize what you need to work on—and that’s totally fine!
- Conscious Incompetence: You start to recognize areas for improvement. This stage can be tough, but it’s a big step forward.
- Conscious Competence: With focus and practice, you begin to get the hang of it! It may not be perfect every time, but you’re on the path to improvement.
- Unconscious Competence: The ultimate goal! You’ve practiced enough that it feels natural. This is when things start to flow effortlessly.
Remember: It’s perfectly normal to make mistakes. We’re here to enjoy the journey of making music together! 🎶
4. 🗣 Vocal Vocabulary
- Interval: The distance between two notes. For example, the Major 3rd and Perfect 5th are the harmonies you’re practicing in “Lean on Me.”
- Dynamics: The variation in volume while singing (soft, loud, crescendos, etc.). Think about how you can add emotion to your singing by varying the dynamics!
- Root Note: The main or starting note of a scale or chord. In harmony, the root note is the foundation upon which other notes (like the 3rd and 5th) are built.
- Pitch: How high or low a note sounds. Singing in tune means matching the correct pitch. If you’re off-pitch, the note might sound a bit too high (sharp) or too low (flat)
- Blend: How well voices mix together to sound like one unified group. In a choir, blending helps create a smooth and cohesive sound.
Give yourself credit for the small accomplishments.