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Minor pentatonic to the fifth
Root, minor third, fourth, fifth and back – the lower part of the minor pentatonic, the scale of runs in R&B, rock and blues. A small range and a calm tempo: a good first step before the full scale.
The lower half of the minor pentatonic scale: root, minor third, perfect fourth and perfect fifth, then back down to a held root. There's no seventh here, so the range stays small and the tempo is calm. It's the first building block for blues, rock and R&B runs. Singing it on an open “ah” lets you focus on tuning the minor third, the note that gives the scale its sound.
How to do it
- Listen to the piano play the pattern once, then sing along on “ah” with the piano playing with you.
- Place the minor third low and steady. Don't let it drift toward a major third.
- Move up through the fourth to the fifth on the same vowel, without adding pressure.
- Come down at the same pace and hold the final root for two beats.
- Check the roll after each repetition. The pattern climbs one semitone at a time, then returns down.
Coach's tip: Keep the minor third clearly minor – don’t pull it up toward major. Sing the fourth and fifth on the same vowel, without pushing.
What to watch out for
The minor third tends to creep sharp, because major thirds are everywhere in familiar songs. If its line sits above the target, think of it as slightly lower and darker. The jump from the fourth to the fifth can make people push, which turns the fifth loud and sharp. Keep the volume constant. The final root often sags, so support it to the end. Stop if your voice feels tired.
Who it's for
Level 1, a gentle first step into pentatonic singing for beginners and for experienced singers who want a quick tuning check. Use it early in the main block. Do it before Minor pentatonic, which adds the seventh and the octave. Because it fits several genres, the Pop, R&B / soul, Rock, Jazz and Hip-hop / melodic rap styles each make it come up more often in the daily training.
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Related exercises
- 5-note scale The classic: five notes up and back. The most important intonation exercise.
- Major scale downward From the octave down. Teaches you not to sag on low notes.
- Major pentatonic to the sixth The five notes of the major pentatonic – root, second, third, fifth, sixth – up and back. A scale with no half steps that pop and folk melodies and simple runs are built on.
- Major scale (octave) A full octave up and down.
- Twang on “nyah” A bright, narrow “nyah” on the first five scale degrees, holding the fifth. Twang is the safe base of rock edge – the voice sounds sharp while the throat stays loose.
- Scat warm-up in swing Root, second, third, fifth and back down – lightly, on “doo-bee”. Swing rhythm: the first note of each pair is longer, the second short, as in jazz.