Singing Class Notes and Materials
Circle Song
From the work of Bobby McFerrin and his vocal orchestra – Voicestra http://www.bobbymcferrin.com
and Rhiannon http://www.RhiannonMusic.com
Circle Song
One person gives out repeating parts to the groups.
Find parts by first singing what’s inside, then refining to find a motor part. Harmony is good. Look for spaces in the motor part to interlock new parts.
Find parts by first solo-ing over what is already created.
Play with rhythm – try putting 3 over 4 or try something in an odd rhythm like 5/4, 7/8, 9/8
Play with tonality – use some unusual harmonies, try notes that may not be the “first choices”
Play with language – try using some sounds you don’t always use; experiment with different consonants; imagine you’re speaking a language you don’t know but have a sound in your ear eg. french, russian, italian, etc.
The person giving out the parts can then solo over the foundation they have created.
Solo-ist can then step out and let another person solo and/or create new parts…
4-Beat Phrase Improv
Create a 4-beat phrase. Everyone sing it until it’s familiar.
Group sings 4-beat phrase twice. Then one person creates a musical phrase by sing their name over 4 beats. Everyone repeats their phrase. The same person sings their name again, with new music, but still over 4 beats. Everyone repeats this new phrase. Group sings the original 4-beat phrase twice. Continue around the circle with each person creating two different 4-beat phrases for the group to sing.
Variation: Person one creates
Open / Ready
by Velma Frye
© NeneLand Music BMI
Open / Ready
I’m open x x x
I’m ready x x x
I’m open x
I’m ready x
For what is to come
I am open
I am ready
Open
Ready
For what is to come
[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Open-_-Ready.pdf” save=”0″]
Incredible Pea
words by Elise Witt, music source unknown
Incredible Pea
I think that I might like to be
A crunchy green and beautiful pea
Curly vine that’s edible
Don’t I taste incredible?!
[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Incredible-Pea.pdf” save=”0″]
Onawa’s Waltz
by John Krumm
Onawa’s Waltz
I’ve been waiting all the day long
To see the stars in your eyes
My love come dance with me now
See how the evening flies
And as you sleep my dear
Know that I’ll be near
To hold you when you arise
[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Onawas-Waltz.pdf” save=”0″]
Embrace
by Terry Garthwaite
© nJoy Music BMI
on Terry’s CD “Shine On” (to be released in 2017)
Embrace
Earth, sea, sky
I lie in your embrace
embrace