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Blues run (minor pentatonic)
A darker, R&B version of the run. Seventh and minor third.
The Blues run is the minor pentatonic descending from the octave: octave, minor seventh, perfect fifth, perfect fourth, minor third, root. Compared with the major run, two notes change: the sixth becomes a minor seventh and the major third becomes minor, which gives the phrase its darker, R&B color. Quick eighths with a held root at the end. “Noh” offers a soft “n” onset and a warm, rounded vowel that suits the mood and keeps the sound from thinning.
How to do it
- Listen to the piano play the six notes, then sing them on “noh”.
- Hear the minor seventh as a definite step down from the octave, not a slide.
- Watch the minor third block: green, without leaning toward the major third.
- Land the root and hold it warm and steady for the full length.
- Each repetition moves up a semitone. Slow the tempo if any block stays red.
Coach's tip: Don't “smooth” the minor third toward major – it gives the mood.
What to watch out for
The minor third is where most singers go wrong; the ear pulls it toward the brighter major third, and the roll shows it slightly sharp. Keep it low and dark; that note is the mood. The minor seventh right after the octave also tends to sit a little high. The fourth gets swallowed at speed; give it its own weight. If the run blurs, drop the tempo before anything else. If anything feels tight, lower the range.
Who it's for
A level 3 exercise for singers who already have Pentatonic run down 8-6-5-3-2-1 clean and want a soulful alternative. Use it in the main block. Practicing Interval: minor third beforehand sharpens the ear for the note that defines this run. Not part of a program, so add it wherever runs fit in your session.
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Related exercises
- Mordent 1-2-1 and 1-7-1 A quick “touch” of the neighboring note and back. Upper and lower mordent.
- Long run 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 The whole scale down at a fast tempo.
- Pentatonic run down 8-6-5-3-2-1 The most common run in pop – from the octave quickly down the pentatonic.
- Pentatonic run up A run-up ending on a long octave.
- Major pentatonic Five notes that almost all pop runs are built from.
- “Wee” siren through the passaggio The narrow “ee” vowel helps you ride through the voice “break” (E4–G4 for men) without a flip.