Day 10: Tonal Memory Games

From: 14-Day Pitch And Intonation Course With Camille
by Camille van Niekerk
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Description:

Sometimes when we learn songs, we have sheet music, or a visual representation of the notes. But many times, we’re learning by ear, or by rote memorization, meaning we just listen and repeat what we hear. Learning songs in this way develops our tonal memory, or our ability to hold different tones or pitches in our head, even when we don’t know the specific pitch letter names. 

Today, we’ll play a few different games to help develop tonal memory. 

First, a few rounds of listen and repeat, starting with just two pitches. 

Listen & repeat: 2 pitches

Let’s add on a pitch with some 3-note patterns. 

Listen & repeat: 3 pitches

Ready for a challenge? Let’s try 4-note patterns!

Listen & repeat: 4 pitches

Now practice holding one pitch in your head, and singing it after I sing or play different pitches. I’ll ask you to hold “1” or the first scale degree in your head. For example, you sing 1, then I’ll play, and you sing 1 again. This is such an important skill to develop if you want to learn how to sight sing, or read vocal music!

Student sing 1 after different patterns are played/sung

Let’s take it one step further: I’ll play a pattern that starts on 1, and you sing it back on numbers. For example, I’ll play [121] and you sing [121]. I’ll pause and then reveal the correct scale degrees. We’ll keep these short and simple, and remember that each pattern will start on 1!

Play pattern, student sing #’s

In the next lesson, we’ll continue to develop our tonal memory with some real song examples!

Lessons:

Instructor: Camille van Niekerk

Camille van Niekerk is a singer, writer and vocal instructor in Southern California. Camille began studying voice and performing in musicals at age seven. In 2010, Camille began working towards her BA in Music Education at Azusa Pacific University. She then earned her teaching credential from San Diego State University and taught classroom choral and instrumental music. Shortly after moving to LA county, Camille began her private vocal studio, providing vocal coaching, ear training, and recording for students of all ages. She is constantly refining her skills and methods for greater versatility and effectiveness. When she is not teaching, Camille enjoys singing with the L.A. Choral Lab and Ensoma Creative. She lives in San Diego with her husband and loves going to the beach, practicing yoga, reading, and cooking.