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Unit 1 · Hold your own

Be the drone

Hold one note on "oo" while a tune moves above you, a pedal named after the organ's, first on do and then on the so below it. Breathe between holds. Free.

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What it teaches

A note held under a moving tune is a pedal, after the organ's pedals, which hold a low note as long as it's pressed.

Hold one note. Do, on "oo", easy and steady

The tune moves above. Ode to Joy, leaning on your note

Breathe between. Four holds of three and a half beats, a quick breath each time

What you sing

  1. Find your do, and your so below it.
  2. The guide gives you do. Hold it four times while the tune moves above you.
  3. Now be the floor on so, below your do. The same tune, a new pedal.

Singing safely

Sing at an easy volume, in the middle of your range. Stop if anything tightens, scratches or hurts, and rest your voice.

Free tools by Stackapella

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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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