Singing runs can feel chaotic and effortful, but today’s exercise will help you fund your coloratura correctly, with the breath. If you slide around on your runs without definition or feel like a machine gun, forcefully ejecting each note, it’s time to re-organize your approach to runs.
This exercise follows up on last week’s breath exercise, Panting and Whinnying, so be sure to check that out for a deep dive on releasing pressure in your singing breath.
Let’s jump into the Yo Ho!
How to do the Yo Ho
We’ll start by repeating the breath sequence from last week’s Panting and Whinnying sequence:
- Place hands on the low belly and pant like a big dog, really moving the belly wall.
- Place hands on the low ribs and pant like a dog, quick as you can.
- Giggle nervously.
Now that you feel that energized, loose, flowing breath, we’re going to actually sing!
4. Sing “Yo-hohoho-hohoho-hohoho-hohoho” on the pattern Do-do-re-mi-Mi-fa-sol-Sol-fa-mi-Mi-re-do.
5. Match the air use EXACTLY to how it moved when you were whinnying and giggling.
6. As you sing, keep the mouth very round like you had a balloon inflated inside, and imagine the pitch is changing in the nose, not in the throat.
Happy singing, friends! Did you do the Yo Ho?
I also did a video on Getting Started with Runs in May. Check it out!
