1-5-8-5-1

How to do it

1. Listen to the piano leap a fifth, then a fourth up to the octave, then back.
2. Sing on 'mah' and keep the vowel identical on all three pitches.
3. Check the roll: three distinct levels, root, fifth and octave, each reading green.
4. Five repetitions, up a semitone each time.

Coach's tip: Keep the same tone color on all three pitches.

What to watch out for

The fifth is the usual casualty: flat on the way up, flatter on the way down. Aim a little higher than you think it is. The octave tends to get louder and brighter than the root, which changes the tone color; even it out. Sliding between the leaps shows as ramps on the roll; land each note. If the top octave feels pressed, sing it softer or lower the range.

Who it's for

For intermediate singers building even tone across the range. Use it in the main block after Major triad 1-3-5-3-1, before moving to “Gee” 1-5-8-5-1 (cord closure), which uses the same notes with a mix-focused consonant. It isn't part of a preset program; choose it from the Arpeggios category.

Related exercises

• 1-3-5-8-5-3-1 ●●○Chord with the octave. The most popular exercise in singing lessons.
• Minor triad ●●○The broken minor chord.
• Octave leap 1-8-1 ●●○One leap, but a big one. Connects registers.
• Staccato 1-3-5-8-5-3-1 ●●○Short, separated notes. Trains a fast, accurate onset.