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Chromatic (5 semitones)
Each next note a semitone higher. An extreme intonation test.
Five notes a semitone apart, up and back: root, minor second, major second, minor third, major third, then down again. The whole pattern spans only a major third, but every step is a half step, so there's nowhere to hide. It's the most demanding tuning test in the Scales category, because semitones are smaller than most singers expect. Sung on 'lah' at a moderate tempo. Five repetitions, each a semitone higher.
How to do it
- Listen carefully to the piano; the notes are very close together.
- Sing on 'lah' and make each step deliberately small, almost too small.
- Read the piano roll as a tight staircase; every bar is only one row above the last.
- Aim for green on every note, not just the ends. Five passes, up a semitone each.
Coach's tip: Semitones are smaller than you think. Sing “tight”.
What to watch out for
The typical result is oversized steps: by the fourth note you're a half step ahead of the piano, and the whole descent reads red. Think of each step as a slight lean, not a move. Sliding between notes is also a problem; separate them cleanly. If everything reads yellow, tighten the tolerance in settings only after the pattern is stable. There's no vocal strain here, only concentration, so take breaks when focus fades.
Who it's for
For advanced singers and anyone chasing precise intonation, including choir members and harmony singers. Place it in the main block once the voice is fully warm, never first. Warm up with 5-note scale, then test yourself here, and finish with Broken thirds to widen the intervals again. Listed in the Intonation program.
Part of programs: Intonation
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