Agility, riffs and runs · Advanced · Pop and R&B, Gospel, Jazz
Neighbour-note run down
Each step of a falling scale gets a quick note above it. This decoration is everywhere in R&B and gospel runs.
How to do it
- Three notes per beat: the note, the one above, the note.
- Keep the upper note light and quick.
- Speed up only when it stays clean.
Remember Flick up, come back.
| Numbers | 1′ 2′ 1′ 7 1′ 7 6 7 6 5 6 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 2 3 2 1 |
|---|---|
| Sargam | Ṡ Ṙ Ṡ N Ṡ N D N D P D P M P M G M G R G R S |
| Solfa | do re do ti do ti la ti la sol la sol fa sol fa mi fa mi re mi re do |
| Notes | G A G F♯ G F♯ E F♯ E D E D C D C B C B A B A G |
| Sung on | ah – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – |
Where it comes from
- Aussie Vocal Coach: riffs and runs vocal workout, exercise 5
- Carried down to the tonic: NSM original
More agility, riffs and runs
Fast five, twice
Fast notes need a still jaw and a steady breath; the notes move, nothing else does.
EE and AH runs
Switching vowel on every note makes the tongue move while the throat stays still: the coordination fast runs need..
Pentatonic run down
Most pop and gospel runs live on the major pentatonic (1 2 3 5 6).
Blues run
The minor pentatonic with the blue note (the sharpened 4th).