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Unit 3 · Colours

Three colours

Sing the same line three ways, breathy, bright and with a little twang, and hear each beside the guide's. You're the judge of the tone. Free, never pressed.

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What it teaches

The same line can be breathy, bright or twangy. These are tone colours: we can't score them yet, so you'll be the judge.

Breathy. A little air, quiet and close; water nearby

Bright. A clear ring from the vowel, never louder

Twang. A narrow edge from a light "nyeh", never pressed

What you sing

  1. First the line plain, over the chords: the colours come next.
  2. Breathy first: quiet and close, a little air in the sound, never a whisper. Sing the line, then hear yours beside the guide's. We don't score the tone yet.
  3. Now bright: a clear, forward ring from the vowel and a slight smile, never from more volume. This isn't belting.
  4. Now a little twang: a narrow, bright edge, from a light, bratty "nyeh". Never squeezed.

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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