Description:
Onto dynamics! Without instruments, and sometimes without microphones, dynamic variety is especially important in a Capella singing.
In order to have dynamic build within the song, each individual singer needs CONTROL over their instrument, and the ability to sing at different dynamic levels throughout their range.
Let’s begin with an exercise in varying dynamics. We’ll sing the same pattern three times total, first piano, then mezzo piano, ending mezzo forte. You can try a slow, steady crescendo; or you can change dynamic level immediately on the repeat. Listen first, then try it with me!
[Exercise: Dynamic variety - sing same pattern 3x p-mp-mf (5-3-4-2-5-3-4-2-5-3-4-2-1)]
Speaking of dynamics and balance, registration comes into play here as well! Sometimes you need chest voice for your loudest dynamic in a certain range, or mix voice for a softer dynamic, so we’ll try an exercise with registration as well. Singing the same pitch, we’ll use chest voice, then mix, then head voice or falsetto.
If you’re new to singing and don’t have a lot of control over registration yet, don’t worry! Try your best!
[Exercise: Registration (same pitch) in chest, mix, head - HEY HEY (mf/chest) HO HO (mp/mix)
HOO (p/head voice)]
Last, we’ll practice singing loud and soft, changing dynamic as we go. I’m not using specific dynamic levels, but you can make it more specific if you like! Here’s our pattern.
[Exercise: loud vs soft - HEE 1-2-3-4-5 HO 1-2-3-4-5 HA 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1]
Some last considerations for balance within a song: are you melody or harmony? Are you the tonic (of the chord) or a pitch that doesn’t need to be emphasized as much? Can you hear the other parts? Looking at the music, do you see what specific parts that the composer would like to feature? Does a certain part have a moving line, or an important note within the chord? If you have an important part in a specific section, sing out! If you don’t, hang back. This requires another essential skill for a Capella singers who also sight read, and that’s SCORE READING: analyzing a piece of music and how you fit into it based on the entire score, not just your part alone.
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.