Anybody can be taught to match pitch, almost instantly, in 5 simple steps. This entire process takes a maximum of 5 minutes. The more frequently these 5 steps are repeated, the more consistently a struggling singer will be able to match pitch.
Here’s what you will need:
- A piano/keyboard
- Your ability to vocally demonstrate
- The singer’s desire to want to match pitch
Before we begin, one last thing:
I do offer an online course entitled How To Teach Anyone To Match Pitch! which teaches this process in far more depth. The course contains more than a dozen short, in-depth, and instantly applicable videos. Along with the videos come downloadable rubrics, cheat sheets, and additional resources that will assure your singers will consistently match pitch. This blog post takes my 7-step detailed process from the online course and condenses it into 5 steps.
This post will, no doubt, help you to better serve your struggling singers. If you want me to guide you further, I suggest you enroll in my course!
Here are the 5 Easy Steps to Get Anyone to Match Pitch:
Match Pitch Step 1 – Meet them where they’re at
Play a note that you believe should be in the mid-lower part of their vocal range. If they cannot sing the pitch you play, find the pitch they are singing. This should be simple: they are singing a note on the piano. Whatever note they are singing, you play it and have them repeat it a few times; as a result, you have matched their pitch. We can call this their “home” pitch.
“Tone-Deaf” is an Excuse……..not a Diagnosis
Match Pitch Step 2 – Have them feel their support
Show the singer how to engage their solar plexus by having them place their hands (pressing their fingertips) just below their sternum and either coughing (not great during covid pandemic) or just saying “ha, ha, ha” in a short and forceful manner. They should feel their solar plexus pop out on each “ha”.
Match Pitch Step 3 – Build a staircase
Singers need to engage their solar plexus with a “ha” sound, the same way as Step 2, but this time, have them sing the repeated “ha” using the “do, re, mi, re, do” pitches. The beginning pitch should be their “home” pitch. From there, repeat the exercise by moving their “home” pitch up by half-steps. Every pitch must engage the solar plexus. When the singer can no longer match the piano’s pitch, try descending the exercise by half-steps; it is possible they may have lost the ability to match pitch. When this happens, return to their “home” pitch and repeat this step a second time; as a result, they will be repeating their home pitch, which will also help to lock in their pitch matching skill.
Match Pitch Step 4 – Bring Them Up High
Show the singer how to flip into their falsetto/head voice. The upper register creates flexibility in the lower range. For both male and female singers, it’s not about singing the correct falsetto/head voice pitches but more about attempting to create sound in that register. It’s possible during this 5-minute period, some singers may not successfully access this range; the important thing here is that the singer attempts to switch registers. If they successfully access the upper register, bring them down with “mi, re, do” and descend by half-steps. If they can’t produce any sound up high or cannot find their upper range, introduce a few sighs through call and response. Any real attempt for the singer to access this range can be considered a success.
After working in the falsetto/head voice, bring the singer back to their “home” pitch. The exploration in the upper range, regardless of it’s outcome, will likely have expanded their lower-mid range.
Match Pitch Step 5 – Return Home
Return to the singer’s “home” pitch and repeat Step 3 again. Continue to remind them to engage their solar plexus.
Last Words
This approach will get a motivated singer on track IMMEDIATELY. Contrary to popular belief, matching pitch is not a black and white skill; there are varied skills needed to consistently matching pitch.
I developed a rubric that gives a step-by-step approach (also included in the course) for getting all students who can’t match pitch all the way to the point where they can sing comfortably throughout their voice.
Before a student can learn to sight-sing or hold their part, they must have reached at least level 4 on the pitch-matching rubric.
If you are looking for more in-depth guidance, read more about my online course!
With that said, just repeating this blog post’s 5-step process may be all that’s needed. Many students can get on track with the information in this blog post alone. After just a few sessions, your singer will likely be able to skip Step 1 and find the pitch of your choosing!
Leave A Comment