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Unit 2 · Words first: patter

Two notes, many words

Learn patter, lots of words on two neighbouring notes, as the Major-General sings it: one word a beat, slowly, echoing the guide a bar at a time. Free.

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More in Words first: patter

What it teaches

The Major-General knows everything but soldiering, and he can't stop showing it off. Patter: lots of words on two neighbouring notes.

Two notes. A step apart

One word a beat. Slowly first

Echo. The guide sings a bar, you answer

What you sing

  1. Bar 1: listen, then answer, slowly.
  2. Bar 2: listen, then answer, slowly.
  3. Now the whole line, slowly.

Singing safely

Medium volume, the middle of your voice; never push to be heard. Bright is not belt. First steps to belting is the first step; full belt is for later, with a teacher. Stop if anything tightens, scratches or hurts.

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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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