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Singing in a choir, group
or ensemble can be technically rewarding
as well as personally satisfying. It also teaches you additional
singing skills.
Today we look at
the process of learning to sing your harmony part
in a song.
1. Learn your part
of the harmony in isolation from the others. There is no substitute
for practice, practice, practice. It is critical that you
are able to sing your part without any help. Good harmonies
depend on each individual being secure in their mastery of
their part of the song.
2. Sing your part
with the group and learn not to be put off by the other parts
being sung at the same time. This can be more difficult than
it sounds. Its easy to get lost when you are surrounded by
strong singers who are singing other parts. Keep hold of your
part of the harmony at all costs.
3. To combine the
performance requirements such as movement or clapping is a
skill in itself. If at first you have trouble combining the
singing with the movement, master them separately then combine
them
Here
are some songs which are sung with harmonies or can
be adapted for harmonies.
Harmony
is a pleasing combination of two or more different
notes sung (performed) together simultaneously
by different people (instruments). |
Bands
that commonly use harmonies:
Band |
| Human Nature |
| Destiny's Child |
| Backstreet Boys |
| Simon and Garfunkel |
| S Club 7 |
The following
also use a lot of harmonies:
| Oratorios e.g. Handel's "Messiah"
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| Barbershop Quartets |
| Songs from Musical Theatre |
You can also
successfully write harmonies to songs which have been
recorded by individuals. I have converted the following
solo songs quite successfully for our students to sing:
Performer |
Song Example |
| Delta Goodrem |
Lost Without You |
| Leann Rimes |
Can't Fight The Moonlight |
| from the movie "My Best Friend's Wedding" |
Say A Little Prayer |
| Carly Simon |
Let the River Run |
| Alicia Keys |
How Come You Don't Call Me |
| Â |
Fallin'
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| from the musical "Rent" |
Seasons of Love |
| Five For Fighting |
Superman |
| Ronan Keating |
When You Say Nothing At All |
| Whitney Houston |
Run To You |
| Destiny's Child |
Emotion |
| Bill Withers |
Lean On Me |
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