On Harmony
- Irene Feher
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Singing harmony can be intimidating, even overwhelming for some. The only way to get good at it is by diving in and doing it - especially in an encouraging environment where “wrong notes” open pathways to learning.
The virtuosic musician Jacob Collier said in an improv concert that “being in tune is highly overrated…”. Brilliant bassist and author of “The Music Lesson” Victor Wooten plays entire solos on “wrong notes”. In Balinese Gamelan music, metallophone instruments are paired up with one instrument tuned slightly down, this “out of tune” combination creates a shimmering effect which is characteristic of this music. Quarter tone and microtone scales heard in Middle Eastern music create for me a mystical aura. Blue notes, notes tuned slightly down, add deep expression to blues and jazz.
Fear of wrong notes actually prevents us from hearing so many tonal possibilities, and that fear can shut us down - I know - it shut me down.
Singing harmony was something that terrified me, and that comes from being over-corrected as a child. I invite you to open your ears to new sound combinations.
Warm up
Harmony warmup: slide around on your voice and/or instrument over a sustained note or open fifth, known as a drone. If you sing, or play an instrument that allows you to play sustained notes, you can slide or bend a chosen pitch up and down. Go slowly and love the excitement found in new sound combinations. Doing this with intention adds even more expression. It also opens your ears to new tonal possibilities. It may sound a little strange at first, but the more you do it, the more your ears open up.
Hold notes over a repeated descending scale pattern. Can you hold one note as the scale descends? Listen to how that note relates to the other notes being sung/played.
Create a repeated rhythmic pattern on one note - record it, or play, then sing with it in the same rhythm and try different notes.
If you are with a group of friends, sing or play spontaneous splash chords: sing ONE note and STAY on your note right to the end of the chord.
Then sing/play spontaneous splash chords and gently slide slightly up and then slightly down and then back to the home note you each initially chose.
Some of the amazing things I have learned are:
If you desire resolution, slide or move your note up or down very gradually and you will find the sound that makes you go Ah!
If you are playing or singing with others, ask yourself if you can actually hear the others as you make sound
If you repeat a "wrong note” with intention and expression, it becomes a part of the piece.
You can also play spontaneous splash chords on the piano using up to all 10 fingers.
I love doing this with my eyes closed and then open them to see what I played.
Singing and playing in harmony with others can be a very exhilarating experience in sound experimentation. It opens the ears, mind and heart!
Here are two wonderful video clips to inspire you! They inspired me!
