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Unit 2 · Old scales

The bright note

Hear the bright note that makes an old tune sound old, a minor scale with its sixth raised, then sing the Dorian scale and a line both ways. Free to sing.

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What it teaches

You've sung this already. The bright note in "drunk-en" is what makes it sound old: a minor tune (the darker scale) with one note higher. That's the Dorian mode.

Listen for it. The second note of "drunk-en"

Minor, but brighter. Plain minor with one note raised

The home note. The drone's note, where the tune comes to rest

What you sing

  1. The Dorian scale from the home note up to the sixth note and back. The sixth is the bright one.
  2. First the third line as plain minor would sing it, with the dark note on "-en": listen, then sing it back.
  3. Now as it really goes, with the bright note. Hear the difference one note makes, then sing it back, the top notes light.

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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