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When the Saints Go Marching In

When the Saints Go Marching In

Energetic, with long notes at the end of phrases.

🎤 Melodies
Level: Intermediate
Melodic pattern
♩ 120
about 1 min

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

When the Saints Go Marching In is a gospel march built from the major triad plus the fourth. The opening climb, root, major third, fourth, fifth, comes three times: twice ending on a four-beat fifth, the third time winding down to a long second. The final line passes through a dotted figure on the fourth and closes on the root, held four beats. Thirty-three notes within a perfect fifth at 120 beats per minute. It trains bright energy without going sharp, and sustaining after movement.

How to do it

Sing along with the piano at a marching tempo; the lyrics are shown.
Climb root, third, fourth, fifth with clear separate blocks, then hold 'in' for the full four beats.
Keep the long fifth steady and bright to the last beat; the roll should stay green, not fade to yellow.
In the last line, watch the dotted figure on the fourth and the final four-beat root.
One pass, one score; repeat and aim for the long notes at 100 percent.

Coach's tip: The long “7:4” – hold it evenly to the end, don't fade.

What to watch out for

The long notes fade. Energy is high on the climb and drops on 'in', so the fifth goes flat toward the end. Keep breath pressure steady and think of the note growing, not dying. The fourth degree, both in the climb and in the dotted figure, tends to be sung as a third. The upbeat mood pushes people sharp on the fifth; brightness comes from the vowel, not from squeezing. If your voice gets pressed, sing it softer or drop your range.

Who it's for

For beginners and intermediates who want a lively tune that tests sustained notes. Use it in the main block after Long note 6 s or Straight tone without vibrato, and before Pop phrase: chorus with a high note, which asks for the same held energy higher up. It's not in a preset program; see the Melodies category.

Practice this exercise

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