Exercise 1
Singing chromatic lines is challenging. Try to be ‘spot on’.
Exercise 2
This demonstrates how to make a variation, as all these exercises do in fact. These principles are all explained in detail in our course “How to improvise”.
Exercise 3
The second to last bar features a note that ‘comes early’ (the first beat, the 1 of the bar, the first quarter note) and one that’s on the beat (on the 3, the third quarter note of the bar). On the beat creates rest, of the beat creates tension. As long as it’s on an equal division of the beat, eighth notes for example, the tension feels natural. It adds diversity. If it’s on an not equal division, like with triplets or randomly timed notes, it creates a lot of tension. Spicy rhythm!
Exercise 4
More rhythmic variation in this one. The 1 (first beat) of the first bar is skipped. Something you should try every now and then. It’s important not to start melodic phrases on the same place of a bar every time. Diversity is key to keeping audiences engaged!
Exercise 5
This time the last bar features a line that connects to the first. It’s hip. That’s because it can be viewed as coming from an A7 chord or a Bbo7 chord. The illusion is created that it’s the wrong chord. The melody is a semitone lower than it should be. This creates a lot of tension. But that’s fine! As long as the tension resolves in a logical way. Logic trumps everything in music!
