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Lip trill – siren

Lips buzz like a motorboat, the sound slides an octave up and back.

One repetition of the pattern. In the app it is transposed to your vocal range and scored note by note.

A long glide: from the root up a full octave over three beats, then back down over three more, all on a lip trill. The buzzing lips act like a pressure valve, so you can cover a wide range with very little effort. Pitch tolerance is set wide here, 150 cents, because the point is a smooth, connected sweep, not precise notes. Each repetition starts a whole step higher than the last, until you're near the top of your range, then the glide works back down the same way.

How to do it

  1. Listen to the piano slide up an octave and back; that's the shape you'll copy.
  2. Loosen your lips, blow a thin steady stream of air and let them flutter like a motorboat.
  3. Follow the rising then falling curve on the piano roll without stopping anywhere on the way.
  4. If the trill stalls, rest two fingers lightly on your cheeks and try again.
  5. Each pass starts a whole step higher than the previous one, right up until you near the top of your range, then back down the same way.

Coach's tip: If the trill dies, support your cheeks lightly with your fingers. Even, thin stream of air.

What to watch out for

The trill usually dies for one of two reasons: not enough air, or lips pressed too tight. Blow more and relax. Some singers stop the glide at the top and hop back down; keep it continuous, the roll should show one unbroken arc. If your voice flips at the break, that's fine, don't fix it, just keep the air moving. Never force the top; if it hurts, lower the range.

Who it's for

A staple for every level, from beginners who can't yet sing an octave to advanced singers loosening up. Use it first or second in a session, before any scale or arpeggio. Pair it with “Oo” siren (octave) or Downward sigh (yawn). It appears in three programs: 5-minute warm-up, Path: Pop (runs & falsetto), and Range extension.

Part of programs: 5-minute warm-up · Path: Pop (runs & falsetto) · Range extension

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Opens the app in your browser. Free to start, no account needed. Put on headphones first.

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