5

Part Ensemble Exercise (Color Exercise)

(For all voicings)

The exercise is a simple 4 chord progression: vi, IV, I, V

It is in 6/8 for flexibility of uses
First system is for mixed voices
Second system is for all male voices
Third system is for all female voices
o Feel free to transpose to conform your groups range

After the notes are learned, give the group a single pure vowel to sing on and
perform the exercise not in tempo. Give them each change.
Once the group has heard the proper tuning of each chord proceed through
the cadence a tempo.
o The above two steps may be skipped once the group is familiar with
the exercise.
Finally, ask them for four (4) pure vowels. (in this case well use Oh, Eh, Ah,
Oo)
o Then sing a tempo using each pure vowel for each change.

Heres where the magic happens:
(this part of the exercise may be done with the lights off/closed eyes)
Tell the group to think of a bright obnoxious color (such as neon pink)
o Have the group sing the cadence as if the color neon pink had a
specific timbre associated with it.
Once the group has achieved the sound youre looking for, switch the color to
something completely opposite (such as a dark blue velvet)
o Just as before, have the group sing the cadence as if dark blue velvet
had a specific timbre associated with it.
This exercise may be repeated as many times with as many colors as you
chose. The immediate benefit of matching timbre is exemplified when
rehearsing pieces and referring back to the exercise as a guide to what
color(s) the piece should sound like.

Other uses:
Variations in dynamics: crescendos, decrescendos, swells
Variations in emotion: Sad to happy, happy to sad, etc
Variations of the same vowel
Phrasing
Balance
Rhythm
Tuning
Glissando


Did this exercise work for you? Why? Why not? Let me know! I love feedback!
www.DrACappella.com

2011 ACappellaPsych

thcaruso@gmail.com