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Unit 2 · Slides and the cry

The little cry

Add the little cry country singers use, a quick flip up into the lighter voice and straight back, light and never a hard catch, slow first, then in a song.

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More in Slides and the cry

What it teaches

Country singers add a little cry: a quick flip up into the lighter voice and straight back down, a tiny yodel. Light, never a hard catch.

A quick flick up. Into the lighter voice, and back

At the start or inside a note. A held note is easiest

We hear its shape. Not the sob in it: that part is yours

What you sing

  1. A slow practice cry first, at your own pace: the note, a quick step up, and back.
  2. Now quicker, as a cry: listen, then sing three back.
  3. In a song: Down in the Valley's first line with a cry on "low".

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 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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