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Unit 4 · Note against note

Smooth and rubbing

Hear which intervals sound smooth and which rub, then sing thirds, fifths, sixths and octaves over a drone, and a rub that steps home. Free, in short steps.

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What it teaches

Some notes sound smooth together, some rub. In this style unisons, thirds, fifths, sixths and octaves are smooth; seconds, fourths and sevenths rub, and a rub wants to move.

A third. Do to mi: skip one note

A fifth, a sixth, an octave. Do to so, to la, to do

A rub. Re over do, or fa: it leans, then steps home

What you sing

  1. Over the drone: smooth or rubbing?
  2. The notes over the low drone, at your own pace.
  3. Over a low do, sing a third, a fifth, a sixth and an octave; then re, rubbing, step home; then fa, rubbing, step to mi.
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Singing safely

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

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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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