Part One: Stepwise motion (scales)
From: Practice Routine for Better Intonation (Singers Who Struggle with Pitch)by Camille van Niekerk
Description:
Let’s learn about stepwise motion! Stepwise motion occurs when our melody moves one step up or down. Here are some examples of stepwise motion. Our major scale is an example of stepwise motion.
We’ll begin with numbers, but feel free to use an easy vowel or syllable once you’re comfortable with the pattern.
Our first pattern uses just three pitches. We’ll sing them ascending, descending, and then put it together. Practice with me first: ascending, descending, and all together. Keep going with the piano!
[Exercise: 1-2-3 3-2-1 1-2-3-2-1]
Expanding on that exercise, add two more step. Try that pattern with me, ascending. Descending. And put the two together. Let’s keep going!
[Exercise: 1-2-3-4-5 5-4-3-2-1 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1]
Quick note here: there are two kinds of steps. They are a whole step and a half step. Sing this with me to feel the difference: [whole step up, whole step]. Your turn. Now try it with a half step: [half step, half step]. You alone.
We sang only whole steps in our first pattern: [1-2-3-2-1]. But in our second pattern, we had 1 half-step. Do you know where it was? I’ll play the pattern and see if you can hear the single half step. [play 1-2-3-4-5].
Here’s the answer: the half-step occurs between 3 and 4.
When we talk about intervals, or the distance between two pitches, we’d use the term “major second” for a whole step, and “minor second” for a half step.
Let’s end with the major scale. A scale is a set of pitches in a specific order. The major scale is stepwise; it has 2 half-steps, and the rest are whole steps. See if you can find them.
The first one, you already know: between 3 and 4. The second occurs between 7 and 8.
We’ll sing a full major scale ascending, descending, and then put it together. Follow along as we practice, ascending. Descending, starting on 8. And all together, from 1. Keep it going!
Great work! See you in part 2.
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.