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Pop phrase: falsetto hook
An original hook: twice up into falsetto and down the pentatonic.
Pop phrase: falsetto hook is an original hook, not a real song. From the fifth degree the voice leaps a perfect fourth up to the octave and holds it two beats, twice; then a short pentatonic descent, sixth, fifth, third, brings it home. The phrase sits in the middle of your range, so the octave is high enough to invite falsetto but not so high it hurts. 'Oo' is the easiest vowel for a light, floating top. Style: Pop.
How to do it
- Sing along with the piano; two leaps up, then the falling tail.
- Sing the fifth in your normal voice, then flip into a light falsetto 'oo' on the octave and hold it two beats.
- Watch the roll: the flip should land directly on the octave block, green, with no swoop up to it.
- Return to chest voice on the sixth, fifth and third, keeping the pitch just as precise.
- Two repetitions, the second one semitone higher.
Coach's tip: The high “oo” very lightly, in falsetto. The low notes return to chest voice.
What to watch out for
The flip either cracks, a red spike on the roll, or the octave gets scooped from below. Both come from too much weight; make the low note lighter so the top has less to shed. The falsetto octave is often flat, because breathy tone reads low; add focus to the 'oo'. The return to chest voice is usually late and the sixth degree goes breathy and off. Never force falsetto louder. If the top feels dry or tickly, drink water and rest.
Who it's for
For intermediate singers exploring a light pop top voice. Sing it in the main block after Flip into falsetto 1-8-1 on “oo” and Falsetto: long high “oo”, which train the same move without rhythm. Follow it with something in chest voice to rebalance. It's part of the Path: Pop (runs & falsetto) program, tagged Pop.
Part of programs: Path: Pop (runs & falsetto)
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