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Show tune phrase

An original stage-style phrase: an arpeggio up, a short turn and a held note at the top.

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

An original phrase in the style of a stage number, sung on “lah”. It starts with a major arpeggio, goes up to a long major sixth, then turns back down through the fifth and third to a held fourth. It ends with a short climb from the fourth up through the sixth to a long octave. The phrase mixes leaps, step motion and held notes, so it prepares you for real song material, and the lah helps you keep the sound open.

How to do it

  1. Listen to the piano play along with the tune. Sing with it – the piano plays along (Along with piano).
  2. Take a quiet breath and start on a bright, easy “lah” with a slight smile.
  3. Sing toward an imaginary audience. Keep the vowel forward and the notes connected.
  4. Carry the long notes forward instead of letting them sag. Breathe in the short rests.
  5. Check the pitch line on the roll after each long note, then try again.

Coach's tip: Sing to the audience: bright vowel, a slight smile, and carry the long final note forward.

What to watch out for

Two notes tend to go flat: the long sixth near the top, when your support relaxes, and the held fourth after the downward turn. Keep the air moving to the end of each long note. Another mistake is pushing the final octave to sound big. Let it ring instead. Don't rush the rests. If your throat feels tight or tired, drop the range or take a longer break. Stop if anything hurts.

Who it's for

For anyone who wants to try a stage-style melody after learning the basic patterns, from beginner-intermediate up. It belongs to the Musical theatre style, so it gets priority in the daily training when you pick that style. Sing it after a warm-up such as “Major triad 1-3-5-3-1”. For the next step, try “Show finale” once this phrase feels easy.

Practice this exercise

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

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