Arpeggios and leaps · Intermediate · Pop and R&B, Musical theatre
"Gee" octave-and-a-half
The G closes the back of the throat for a moment before each vowel, which keeps the larynx from rising as the arpeggio goes past the octave.
How to do it
- "Gee" on every note, crisp G.
- Keep it speech-like, not operatic.
- Let the top note feel like the same "gee" you started with.
Remember Talk it up there.
| Numbers | 1 3 5 1′ 3′ 5′ 4′ 2′ 7 5 4 2 1 |
|---|---|
| Sargam | S G P Ṡ Ġ Ṗ Ṁ Ṙ N P M R S |
| Solfa | do mi sol do mi sol fa re ti sol fa re do |
| Notes | G B D G B D C A F♯ D C A G |
| Sung on | gee gee gee gee gee gee gee gee gee gee gee gee gee |
Where it comes from
More arpeggios and leaps
"Nay" arpeggio
"Nay" keeps the larynx steady and the sound forward.
Octave arpeggio · 1 3 5 8
The chord tones up to the octave and back: the most common warm-up arpeggio in choirs and studios.
"Goog" arpeggio
The dark "oo" and the G on both sides keep the voice from spreading and shouting as it climbs, especially for singers whose voice cracks at the bridge..
"Mum" arpeggio
The M on both sides of the vowel brings the buzz to the lips, so the tone stays forward even as the mouth opens..