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Unit 3 · Short holds, and letting go

A short hold

Hold a call for two beats, never longer, steady and easy, at three heights from low up, each followed by a light "hoo". A light warm-up comes first. Free.

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More in Short holds, and letting go

What it teaches

A call held two beats, steady and easy, then let go into a light "hoo" above.

Two beats. Never longer

Low first. Then the middle, then a little higher

Stop if it hurts. Rest if anything tightens, scratches, tickles or hurts. Skip today if you're hoarse or tired.

What you sing

  1. Warm up light first: a gentle "hoo", twice.
  2. Listen to each, then choose.
  3. "Hey" held two beats: hear it.
  4. "Hey" held at three heights, low first, each followed by a light "hoo".
Try one round

Singing safely

Call it the way you'd call a friend across a room: speaking volume, middle notes, short sounds. If a note won't stay bright and easy, let it go lighter or flip, and stop if anything tightens, scratches or hurts.

Belt for no more than 10 minutes a day.

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Stackapella teaches you to sing harmony one part at a time, right in your browser.

Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up.
  • A guide sings your partHear your line over the others, slow it down, then take your turn.
  • Your notes light upEach note shows where you landed, and a hint when to go up or down.
  • Record every part yourselfStack your takes in time until you're the whole choir.
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