Singing Instruction - What Is

Having "perfect pitch" means you can "hear" and sing any note without it being sounded before you sing

. Someone says "sing an Ab", and you sing it. No problem. As I wrote in the earlier article, this isn't always a plus for most musicians.

So, if you don't have perfect pitch how can you make sure you always sing the right notes? By developing your "relative" pitch.

"Relative" obviously is related to the word "relate" (funny) . But relate to what? Relate to ANY note which is played or sung to you before you start to sing. Let's say you need to sing an Ab. This is pretty rough to do...unless you can hear another note played. Then you can relate that note to the Ab you need to sing. Wouldn't it be much easier to sing your Ab if you were to hear an A sounded before you sing? Now you have a note to relate to. You hear the A and sing a note one-half step lower.

In fact, once you are given that "A" to relate to, you should be able to sing any other note just by relating it to the "A". You have a point of reference once you hear that "A." Once you have the "A" in your mind you can sing a "C" by singing a note a third higher. (A-B-C)

We've all sung a major scale, You know...."Do-Re-Mi", etc. Herein lies the secret to relative pitch. Think of that scale as 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 rather than do-re-mi, etc. Then go to your piano and play a "C". Then practice singing the "D" (one step higher than the "C".) These are the first 2 notes in our major scale (Do-Re) Hear that little 2 note melody and see if you can sing that same melody while starting on another note. You could play a "G" and sing one step up...an "A".

There are some terrific and fun software programs available which can teach you to develop better relative pitch. On your browser, type "pitch software singing" Look for an inexpensive or free one and start learning.

Above all, be aware that pitch problems are almost always traced to 1 of 3 causes:

1. Poor breathing and singing techniques

2. Your mood and health. If you are sad or angry, or if you feel "down in the dumps" your pitch will suffer.

3. Not really knowing the song, and not thinking ahead. Perfect the habit of "hearing" your singing BEFORE you actually sing. You already know how to do this, because when you speak you have to create what you are about to say before you say it. Learn to apply this ability to your singing, and you will improve your pitch.

by: Gen Wright

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