7 Steps to Singing Riffs and Runs with Confidence

This week, we're diving deep into the art of riffing, breaking it down into seven easy steps to help you sing riffs and runs with ease and confidence!

If you're ready to unleash your inner Alicia Keys and add some flair to your singing, you're in the right place. 

Ready to uncover the seven steps? Let's break it down:

Step 1: Listen and Absorb 🎶

First things first, immerse yourself in the riff. Feel its groove, understand its nuances. Today, we're using a snippet from "Rise Up" by Andra Day to illustrate our journey. The lyrics we're using go like this:

🎵 And move mountains🎶

Step 2: Identify the Notes 🎵

Break it down. Identify the individual notes in the riff. Whether you use numbers, syllables, or the solfege scale, make those notes your best friends.

Step 3: Sing the Notes Without Rhythm 🎤

No rhythm, just you and the notes. This step helps you familiarize yourself with each pitch, creating a strong foundation.

Step 4: Add the Rhythm 🕺

Feel the beat! Some notes fall on the beat, others dance off it. Embrace the rhythm, and let the notes groove.

Step 5: Glide with Consonants 🎼

Introduce a gliding consonant, like the "ya" sound, to smoothen the transition between notes. It's like adding butter to your vocal bread.

Step 6: Match the Vowels 🎭

Time to match the riff's vowels. In our example, it's "move mountains," so we focus on the "ooo" sound. Sing it smoothly and effortlessly.

Step 7: Word Integration 🗣️

Now, it's showtime! Replace the gliding consonant with the actual words. Feel the power as you sing the complete phrase. Today, we're moving mountains!

Your Homework

Excited to take on the challenge? Pick a riff you love, follow the seven steps, and see the magic unfold. Share your experiences in the comments; I'd love to hear how it goes!

You need to know that singing riffs is just ONE part to get to vocal freedom. Having a good Vocal Technique foundation is essential in order to be able to do this easily. There's a free training coming up helping you master these techniques on an even deeper level. Click here to register for this free training!

Thank you for tuning in, and remember, your voice is a powerful instrument waiting to be explored. Until next time, happy riffing! 🎤🎶