COURSE 2: HARMONY VOCALIST

As a standard in our team every vocalist is required to be able o sing harmony parts. Our goal is to train vocalists who can harmonize with confidence, accuracy, and flexibility. This course is meant help you develop and improve your ability to sing in harmony.

  • LESSONG GUIDE

    TWO METHODS OF HARMONIZING

    METHOD 1:‍ ‍Learn the harmony like its own melody

    • Memorize it.

    • Lock it in.

    • Repeat it consistently.

    ⚠ Weakness: If you don’t understand it, small changes throw you off.

    METHOD 2:‍ ‍Harmonize by ear

    • Freely create harmony.

    • Adjust in the moment.

    • Respond musically.

    ⚠ Weakness: Can clash with chords or be inconsistent.

    The Goal: Blend both methods. We want vocalists who:

    • Can learn a part accurately

    • Understand why it works

    • Adjust when needed

    • Blend confidently

    THE 5 EXPECTATIONS OF A STRONG HARMONY SINGER

    1️⃣ Understand the Melody & Chords

    • Know how the melody moves.

    • Hear chord structure.

    • Don’t clash with harmony.

    • Harmony is built on the melody.

    2️⃣ Understand Intervals (3rds & 4ths)

    • Sing above or below the melody.

    • Recognize upper vs lower harmony.

    • Know SAT terminology (Soprano/Alto/Tenor).

    3️⃣ Learn & Stick to Your Part

    • Stay on your note.

    • Don’t drift to melody.

    • Tune with the team.

    4️⃣ Flexibility

    • Adjust a single note.

    • Don’t collapse if something changes.

    • Understand how harmony moves.

    5️⃣ Blend

    • Match tone.

    • Match phrasing.

    • Match vowel shape.

    • Open your ears.

    • Don’t live in isolation.

    The Two Vocalist Types

    Type 1: “Amy”

    • Can memorize harmony.

    • Can stick to it.

    • Needs ear development.

    Growth Strategy:

    • Do more harmony reps.

    • Practice free harmonizing.

    • Sing harmonies on numbers.

    • Develop interval recognition.

    Type 2: “Briana”

    • Struggles to hold melody.

    • Gets thrown off by others.

    • Needs stronger pitch stability.

    Growth Strategy:

    • Match piano notes consistently.

    • Practice simple scale work.

    • Strengthen ear training.

    • Possibly take voice lessons.

    • Build vocal confidence.

    🔥 Key Insight:
    Weak technique often affects harmony accuracy.

    STUDY GUIDE

    Reflection

    1. Which harmony method do you lean toward — memorization or by ear?

    2. Do you understand the chord structure of the songs you sing?

    3. Can you confidently hold your part if someone next to you sings melody?

    4. What is harder for you: sticking to your part or blending?

    5. Are you more like “Amy” or “Briana”? Why?

    PRACTICAL EXERCISES

    Exercise 1: Harmony Lock

    • One singer holds harmony.

    • Others sing melody.

    • No switching.

    • 3 reps.

    Exercise 2: Controlled Flexibility

    • Change one note in harmony.

    • Adjust as a team.

    • No panic allowed

    Exercise 3: Blend Challenge

    • Sing at 70% volume.

    • Match vowel shape.

    • Record it.

    • Evaluate.

  • LESSON GUIDE

    WHAT IS HARMONY?

    HARMONY = Two or more notes sounding at the same time.

    LESSON FOCUS: Singing a third above the melody

    Understanding Thirds Using Numbers

    Assign numbers to the major scale:

    1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7

    To sing a third:

    • If melody = 1 → harmony = 3

    • If melody = 2 → harmony = 4

    • If melody = 3 → harmony = 5

    You skip one number.

    This is called close harmony.

    EXAMPLE
    Melody: 1–2–3
    Harmony: 3–4–5

    STUDY & REFLECTION

    1. What does it mean to sing a third?

    2. Why is number singing helpful for harmony development?

    3. What was hardest for you: entering alone or sustaining your part?

    4. Did removing the numbers make it harder?

    5. Do you rely more on memorization or interval recognition?

HARMONY CHALLENGE MODULE

This Challenge is a free resource by WorshipRefocus. The goal of this challenge is to further improve your ear and learn how to sing on numbers.

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COURSE EVALUATION