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Hum with a blue third
Root, second, a minor third that slides smoothly up to the major third, second and root – with lips closed. That slide from the minor to the major third is the “blue third”, a signature sound of soul and R&B.
A five-note hum built on the root, the major second and the minor third. The minor third then glides up into the major third before the line returns through the second to the root. That slide between minor and major is the blue third, a favorite color in soul and R&B. Humming with closed lips keeps the voice light, and the buzz in your lips and nose lets you hear the slide clearly.
How to do it
- Listen to the piano play the pattern once, then hum along with it on “mmm”, lips closed and jaw loose.
- Sing the root and second evenly, then start the third at its minor position.
- Slide slowly and fully from the minor third up to the major third. Don't jump.
- Watch the roll: the glide should be a smooth line, not steps. Hold the last root for two beats.
- Each repetition starts a whole step higher, so keep the buzz relaxed as the pitch climbs.
Coach's tip: Make the slide slow and complete – from the minor third all the way to the major, no jump. Lips closed, jaw loose, buzz in the lips and nose.
What to watch out for
The usual problem is skipping the slide: the pitch jumps to the major third, or it sits halfway and never arrives. Start on a clearly minor third, then move up at an even speed. Another mistake is squeezing the hum with a tight jaw, which makes it thin and sharp. Keep your teeth slightly apart. If you feel pressure in your nose or throat, hum softer or lower the start.
Who it's for
Level 1, so it suits beginners and anyone curious about the bluesy sound of soul. Use it in the warm-up, after Hum on one note and before heavier scale work. A good follow-up is Minor pentatonic to the fifth, which stays on the same bluesy colors. It's tagged R&B / soul, so choosing that style in the app makes it come up more often in the daily training.
Opens the app in your browser. Free to start, no account needed. Put on headphones first.
Related exercises
- Hum on one note Closed lips, an “mmm” you feel in the lips and nose. Four seconds, calmly.
- Hum 5-4-3-2-1 Five notes downward on “mmm”. Warms up without loading the folds.
- Lip trill – siren Lips buzz like a motorboat, the sound slides an octave up and back.
- “Oo” siren (octave) Smooth glissando up and down on “oo”. Connects the bottom and top of the voice.
- Major pentatonic Five notes that almost all pop runs are built from.
- Minor pentatonic The minor pentatonic up to the octave and back, the basic scale of R&B and soul runs. The minor third and the seventh give it a darker color than the major pentatonic.