For a singer, mastering the harmonization technique is a must (especially when they are required to sing in a group). Basically, harmonization is a technique of adding other notes on top of the main melody line to produce a powerful mix of tones that add to the beauty of a song. To master the harmonization technique, you can learn it with the help of the piano first. Once you get used to it, try singing side by side with other singers while accompanied by music. With the right technique and enough practice, you will undoubtedly be able to harmonize any song very easily!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Practicing Harmonization with the Piano
Step 1. Play the 3rd (also called the first to third) and 5th (also called the quint interval/five-note interval) on the piano or keyboard
Basically, a piano or keyboard is the perfect tool to familiarize your ear with a certain notation. First, try pressing middle C or C4 (the "do" note, which is in the fourth octave of the C scale) and blending it with the next two notes (the "mi" note, which is in the fourth octave of the C scale); it is the terts interval on your piano. Meanwhile, you can generate quint intervals by pressing the C4 notation and combining it with the next four notations. To familiarize your ear with the basic notation and its blending results, try pressing the first and third notes, and alternating the first and fifth notes.
- The distance between C and E is the terts interval, while the distance between C and G is the quint interval.
- Understanding these concepts helps you choose the basic notes and notes that match the melody of the song.
Step 2. Match your voice to the notes played on the piano
Once you understand the concepts of terts and quint intervals, try matching the notes you play with your voice. Press the C4 note on the piano and imitate the sound “Ah”; match the notes you produce with the notation.
Step 3. Sing the intervals of terts and quints alternately
First, play the regular intervals on the piano and try to alternate between the original notes and chords.
Try to maintain these notes while playing on the piano or keyboard
Step 4. Sing the C4 notes while playing the set intervals on the piano
Singing a different note than the voice you hear is the most difficult part of harmonizing. To practice your harmonizing skills, try playing regular intervals while singing C4 notes. After that, play the interval quint while singing the noation C4. Repeat the process over and over and make sure your voice stays in C4 notation.
Step 5. Try singing the intervals of terts and quints while playing C4 notation on the piano
This method helps you identify the notes produced by the terts and quint intervals. Try playing different notes while singing notes in terts or quint intervals. When you are able to sing by relying on memory and habit, it means that your understanding of harmonization has increased.
Part 2 of 3: Practicing Harmonization with the Help of Music or Others
Step 1. Listen to a song, then join in on the singing 5 seconds later
First, listen to a song and then sing along at the same rhythm until you get used to the notes and the lyrics. After that, play the song again and sing along 5 seconds after the song starts. Although it may seem strange, this process is actually a powerful tool to help practice your harmonization techniques.
- If along the way you get back to singing with the original singer, repeat the process from the beginning until you are able to do it.
- Start by singing short and simple nursery rhymes before moving on to longer and more complex songs.
Step 2. Listen to a song, then sing along at a different basic note
Try overwriting the basic melody of the song with the third note in the terts interval or the fifth note in the quint interval. While doing so, make sure your rhythm stays true to the original rhythm of the song; all you change is the base note. First, try singing the third note at intervals of an octave higher or lower than the original melody of the song; see if you are able to maintain the harmony throughout the song.
Step 3. When someone sings a song, try humming the harmonization
If you have to sing with other people, you'll find it easier to harmonize when you've heard the melody more than once. Therefore, let the lead singer sing the original melody first; at the same time, try to imagine the harmonization. After that, have him sing one more time and try humming the harmonization. Repeat this process 2-3 times or until the resulting harmonization sounds appropriate. In the end, have him sing back and join in singing out loud and in proper harmony.
Part 3 of 3: Training and Improving Alignment
Step 1. Divide the whole song into small parts
If you're having trouble harmonizing throughout the song, try breaking it up into smaller sections first. Start by doing harmonization in the chorus; once the result sounds good, you can move on to the stanza part. After that, try to harmonize the verse and chorus continuously while continuing to try to perfect it.
If you make a mistake in the middle of a song, repeat the process from the beginning
Step 2. Sing along the scales on the piano
If you are used to singing specific notes with the help of the piano, your ears will be more sensitive and harmonization will be easier to do. Try playing the scales you know on the piano and sing along to the twang of the piano.
Singing to a certain scale is a warm-up technique that you can practice before harmonizing
Step 3. Record and listen to your voice
Find out how your voice sounds to other people's ears by recording it while you practice; This method is also a great way to find out if you're singing at the right note. If the notes you sing are still not quite right, re-record your voice. Keep honing the notes you sing until they sound sweet to your ears.
Step 4. Practice with someone who understands melody and harmony in singing
An experienced person has been trained to detect imprecise notations that you may not even be aware of.
You can also ask a professional singer to listen to your practice. They must also be able to detect inaccurate notation and provide specific tips on how to do the correct harmonization
The Things You Need
- Piano
- Music
- Voice recorder
