Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you have a hard time singing minor keys in tune? According to Hagerman and Sundberg, minor thirds are almost as hard to tune by ear as major seconds, and much harder than major thirds. However, sing-along song tracks can help! Read more to learn how to harmonize in minor keys.
Singers commonly find minor chords harder to sing than major chords. The sing-along song tracks act like the vocal equivalent of a flight simulator, allowing focused practice in the most effective way:
The sing-along tracks use synth voices rather than actual voices. Science has shown that this helps you, the singer, to identify and sing absolute pitch information. For more info, see Why Use a Synth Voice Instead of Real Voices.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
Example of the Ensemble Sound Model:
How to Harmonize in Minor Keys: The Basics of Singing (Review)
Before we start learning how to harmonize in minor keys, there are basic aspects of singing we should review. We’ve already discussed many of them in other posts:
- 10 Elements that Impact Singing in Tune: the name says it all
- Sight Singing with Solfege: shows how to get power into your singing
- Harmonize with Sing-Along Songs: discusses vowel production
- Shape Note Singing Lesson: talks about breath phrasing
- Shape Note Sight Singing Success: talks about how shape notes work
- Ear Training Exercises for Harmonizing in Tune: shows how to get an open and free tone in your singing voice
Remember to:
Begin by singing with the synth vocal parts using the vowel ah. When you have mastered that, try the other vowels: ay, oh, ee, and oo one by one. When you have learned a part, try singing the example to the solo organ track.
Take a breath before each note even though there is no break in the synth vocal parts. If you run out of breath, your note will drop, pushing you out of tune.
The Vocal Parts and How to Harmonize in Minor Keys
The sound tracks below function as harmonic sound models that demonstrate how to harmonize in minor keys. In other words, the specially tuned sound tracks train your ear to hear how well tuned minor chords should sound. Important: pay attention to all of the things mentioned in the last section.
The first track combines the soprano part with the organ. Sing using the vowel oh. Always listen to the tone of the voice part when working on tuning up your chords.
Specifically, listen to the buzz between notes. Also, listen for any beating (the wah-wah-wah sound) and adjust your pitch until it fades away.
The range of each part is not big. Thus, each voice type will be able to sing more than one part. Also, kids should be able to sing the soprano, alto, or tenor parts. As you sing, listen to how the shifting harmonies effect the sound of the melody.
In addition, you need to sing the examples without vibrato. This is especially true when singing each part with the organ.
Once you’ve learned a voice part, try singing it with the solo organ track. Then, try singing with the ensemble track in the next section.
Mobile users: for best results reading the score, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
Soprano:
Alto:
Tenor:
Bass:
Solo Organ:
The Ensemble and How to Harmonize in Minor Keys
Ensemble Score for How to Harmonize in Minor Keys:
Concluding Thoughts to How to Harmonize in Minor Keys
The above ear training exercises help you to hear how well-tuned chords should sound when harmonizing in minor keys. Hearing how the harmonies should sound is half the battle.
Daily practice with the sing-along tracks helps train your brain’s mental pitch schemata, which will enable you to sing in tune. Have fun and keep at it!
© 2021 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
Glossary
How to Sing R-Controlled Vowels in English
Do you need help singing words with sustained “R” sounds? Did you know that “R” is actually a vowel? However, it’s very closed, so you need special techniques when producing R-controlled vowels. Keep reading “How to Sing R-Controlled Vowels in English” to have a guide to how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Color Coded Hand Icons for Music Learning with Special Needs & LD Students
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How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 1
“How do I switch from singing shaped notes to standard notation?” Because they’re easy to read, shape notes will always be a good choice for struggling readers, and it makes a great introduction to solfege too. However, the limited shape note repertoire means that shape note singers may want to learn to read standard notation as well. Click to learn how to transition from shaped notes to standard notation. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Shape Note Singing Lesson
Want to be able to sight sing melodies? Shape notes makes reading sheet music easier. The post also talks about breathing and phrase structure, and explores the keys of E, F, Gb, and G for both scales and songs. Read more for your shape note singing lesson. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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