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Unit 4 · Calls in songs

Wade in the water

Borrow one line of the spiritual Wade in the Water and sing it as a call that invites, at speaking volume, with the other voices. Once is enough. Free, easy.

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Wade in the water

Wade in the Water is a spiritual: a sacred song made by enslaved Black Americans, printed by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. It's sung many ways, by congregations, concert choirs and gospel singers; here you borrow one line, at speaking volume, as a way in.

One line. "Wade in the water,"

At speaking volume. A call that invites, never a shout

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 lip trill (or a hum), twice.
  2. "Wade in the water": hear it back.
  3. "Wade in the water," with the other voices, then a light trill. Once is enough.

Challenge: Your calls

Lesson 1's call beside today's, then the round, with another voice coming in.

Then and now. Which is easier?

The round. Hey, ho, nobody home

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 lip trill (or a hum), twice.
  2. Lesson 1's call.
  3. Hear both back.
  4. "Hey, ho, nobody home", with the round's next voice.

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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