How to Sing with Style - bends, trills, riffs and runs

HI Guys! I’m Madeleine Harvey! Thank you so much for checking out this video. Today, we’re going to explore the elements of vocal style such as bends, trills, riffs, and runs. We’re gonna break it down so you can see how it’s put together so that you can get all fancy pants with your vocal stylings at home and in your singing. If you like today’s video, please be sure to give it a thumbs up or click that subscribe button below. I’d love to see you here more often.
Vocal Style is a subtle rhythmic variation of a melodic note or phrase. It brings new life and interest into the phrase by interrupting the normal melodic pattern. It’s kind of like a subtle musical “Surprise!” You can take a normal line “I love you” and make it “I love you” It keeps people interested by keeping them guessing.
Think of the elements of vocal style being a lot like tap dancing. Tap dancing is extremely rhythmic. Some of tap choreography is based in something called a time step. Time steps are basic units of rhythm that have a specific signature to them. For example, the first time step. You can use these time steps as building blocks for choreography. The same is true for vocal style. Maneuvering style does require a little cord knowledge. But we’ll go over that today as well.
Our most basic unit of vocal style is called a note bend. It sounds like this.. 1-2-1
This is a great way to add interest while being conservative. The best way to practice this if you’re just starting with style is by keeping the vowel narrow on a OO sound. This will allow the airflow to be precise and manageable. It does this by working with the inner most edges of the vocals cords and sharing the experience between the diaphragm and the vocal cords. There’s excellent air pressure, balanced with cord tension. Go slow here, we’re looking for that whip like rhythm from the diaphragm. A couple of note bends together is like Halsey’s “without me” (Thinking you could live without me)
To extend the note bend and make it a little more interesting, we simply add what’s called a fall off note. 2 - 3 -2 - 1 (Happy Birthday)
This is the most popular unit of style because it resolves the issue. So it’s a great element to add at the end of a thought or just after you’ve made a point in a melodic line. Don’t rush this, you don’t want to slur the line. What you can do slow, you can eventually speed up.
Now, we move onto the trills. A trill is a triplet that you just fall off of. 3 - 2 - 1
Don’t get too caught up in it, just fall. Remember, units of style are rhythmic. So, remember we’re using that OO vowel to give the sound a manageable, narrow, focused feeling. Keep the energy up as you fall, you don’t want to slur, or drag the energy through the phrase.
To add intrigue, simply add a fall off note to it. 3 - 2 - 1 - 3
Now, we’ve introduced the note bend, the fall off and the trill. Let’s put them all together. This turns the phrase into a complex run. When you add the style steps together, it makes the whole thing exciting because it doesn’t have an element of predictability to it. Remember, you keep people engaged by keeping them guessing.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this lesson as much as I’ve enjoyed making it for you. If you have, please be sure to give it a thumbs up and click that subscribe button below. I’d love to see you here more often.

[@gianmarcoalessio]

Note to my self: Note bend 3:16 up 5:21 down Note bend with the fall off 7:15 up 8:34 down Note bend triplets 10:07 up 11:10 down Note bend with the fall off going upward 13:59 up 15:02 down Last exercise (finally) 18:27 up 19:34 down Ps: love ya

[@DarienCastro]

thank youu!!

[@ernestorodriguez5720]

you're the real MVP.

[@Chrisjof]

Thank you! this is perfect cuz I kept having to do lip trills at each section first, then backing up to try the "hoo"

[@suhudude]

doing god’s work

[@musicaddict6015]

I feel like you are our vocal fairy godmother . You are the best.. no words

[@MadeleineHarveyVoice]

That’s the nicest thing! Thank you for including me in your musical journey!

[@amgm1996]

thats the b3st complement ever shes literally from a disney world

[@amandagann3597]

I just have to say may god truly bless you! To do this for people who can’t afford voice lessons for there kids my daughter has learned so much and sounds like she has had voice lessons for a year after 3 weeks doung your videos

[@_pudu661]

I absolutely love you attitude. You are so positive and actually help me in confidence as I try to improve my singing. Appreciate it, keep it up, subscribed :D

[@williamcandy1734]

@@MadeleineHarveyVoice iam glad for you ❤️🤗

[@ArjunAsthana]

This video is exactly what I needed to see right now because I feel like my singing is too straight.Thank you so much!

[@Dylan-zx2pt]

The rest of me is not straight at all, so my voice needed this asap. Great video :)

[@shalinit.4300]

Your music is nice :)

[@kelsey7343]

@@Dylan-zx2pt lol

[@JohnnyJitsu11]

I’m kind of curvy

[@amypoland7327]

Your videos are awesome and I LOVE the shirt!!

[@MichaelAntus]

I love your videos. They have definitely improved my range and voice. Your energy, and personality make it fun to follow your instruction. Oh, the new room Rocks. Thanks again...

[@MadeleineHarveyVoice]

Thanks Michael!

[@maalat]

Thank you... wonderful teacher

[@ginagutierrez5512]

I love how engaging this is! It literally feels like you are my personal vocal coach! 😂 especially when you stop singing but continue playing the piano for the exercise! Thanks 😊

[@fahimmuchivocalstudio]

omg queen !!! you're finally back! so glad to hear back from you again and you are literally covering one of my favorite topics in singing so thank you so much for this I'll be sure to enjoy it, 27th like from me before even watching the video :) 😀👍😀

[@mozartflowers6591]

I am from Belize . The main language is English .I can defend myself singing but I want to upgrade my singing . I really want to sound more a little like those who sings professionally . I believe with time these simple beginner steps will help me reach my goal . Thanks so much

[@Susanzakho]

You are the best. Thank youuuuuuu.

[@JamesCastadyKristament]

I can’t begin to express how much of a joy and inspiration you have brought to my life with your beaming energy. ❤

[@brooklynncrawley9821]

I am a singer and enjoyed this!!! I can easily do this type of singing buttttt it can be easy to become sloppy !!!! Sooo this was a good reminder!!!!

[@brooklynncrawley9821]

For me it’s hard to sing straight because I naturally sing like this. How would u suggest trying to sing more straight?? I do it without noticing sometimes . And some songs I have to sing straight and it’s hard for me.

[@anthonynewall4003]

Yet another class video. Loving them all

[@lukeyantonio130]

“Where my pitches at” 💀😂 @10:00

[@Cuimimi]

I'm here from Vietnam and i appreciate your lessons so so much🤗

[@Starryeyed_songstress]

you deserve more subscribers and views, to be honest!!!

[@JusticeConstantine]

Thank you Madeleine for your detailed description below the video. It will allow me to practice the pattern myself without having to search through out the video. Your videos are helping me tremendously in even daring to sing. I hope I can pass the confidence you are helping build in me onto my music students. - Justice Constantine

[@BrajeshKumarYT]

I want to being a singer .....your video is very helpful....I am big fan of you..I belong from India🙏🙏🙏🎸🎸🎸

[@ItsJoel04]

Yessss you’re backk!!!

[@ok7091]

Can I just say: That shirt is incredible.

[@siriandweller7321]

My vibrato started coming through with this exercises 😳🙏😉🎤😃💥💙

[@ndavidoff1]

Great to have you back!!

[@janelladantes2366]

I love your videos!! It really helps me with my singing♡thank you so much

[@maxwilliams322]

We missed you!!!!!

[@deadbabiesinvomit]

Thankin you kindly for the lesson miss.

[@stream880]

Love your lessons so much!

[@jamiewarona]

The queen is baack!

[@25chris10]

You're awesome, I wish I lived in your city to take vocal lessons from you haha

[@elizabethclairefrancis]

Great lesson! A trill is actually a fast fluctuation between two notes usually a tone or semitone apart!

[@larzvulta]

K, but I die at "where my pitches aaat?" Hahahahaha love that.

[@juanpadron6882]

The best 👌 her way is simply the best bravoooo 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@biljad8320]

You're such a fantastic teacher, thank you SO much for sharing your knowledge so brilliantly! 😍 I adore your channel and I love your style

[@arjeton5674]

Every video of you should have a billion views

[@welldone4789]

Love the patterns....not to mention the shirt 😎

[@ada5851]

This is an old video but I just wanted to say you're one of my favourite KZbinrs, Madeleine. You have such a fun energy and you provide a lot of helpful technical knowledge about singing without making it *sound* technical (read: boring), combined with practical steps that I can use right away. And you are also so inspirational; you really make me feel (and believe, after hearing the results of using your training methods :) ) that I can be a great singer some day if I keep practicing on the daily.

[@anjalishukla3760]

I love it because I really really want to sing nicely in style and it's help.

[@thelifeofliav]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!, this is exactly what i was looking for and couldn't find it.

[@tembangnostalgia9716]

I love your video

[@exvenusgaming]

Love this, I'd love to see some "Where my pitches at" merch XD

[@peterussellmusic8653]

Wonderful ideas - you never cease to satisfy! Madeleine is my favorite KZbin vocal content provider, I love the easy blend of serious musicianship and playful style. I used to play trumpet, where technical exercises are essential to daily practice. You bring the same type of technical understanding to voice in a way I can really use, in an engaging and casual style. Love your videos!

[@thesacredwild1020]

Thankyou for all your hard work in your videos. I am learning alot ^_^ x

[@dewipermatasari4462]

Good tutorial

[@klaralandrat]

Absolutely wonderful!!!! Thank you so much

[@sussylh4124]

Madeleine, you are so fantastic sweet. Love you

[@LeoGer94]

Hello, you can make a reaction to the songs of singer Diana Ankudinova?

[@DaliborNeuwirt]

Thank you, I am a singer and teacher too and do also overtone and throat singing. This inspires me how to make some singing melody more rich and different. I will play with that

[@Jayell61]

It's weird, but there are certain instances where I cannot bend notes down to save my life. If you respond to comments, I'll try to give you a couple examples!

[@BrianEYoung]

This is amazing! I haven't seen many videos going into style techniques like this. After oo-ing I found it helpful to go through each again with each vowel.

[@nicolocascino4190]

Hallo, teacher Madeleine. Thanks for all your work here in KZbin. It gives to me the possibility to study and to feel inside a music school. My question is: how can I continue to improve the style whit exercises? Is it useful repeat the routine in this video? Thanks. Peace

[@MsKatrinGr]

Hi Madeleine, I love your blouse so much...And of course your video as well:-)

[@MadeleineHarveyVoice]

❤️ Thank you so much! ❤️

[@maryconnor9947]

Can I get a series of exercises from you to use as a warm up before I sing> I love your videos . I have been using them all year to develop my singing voice . but I find I procrastinate when I wan tot warm up as I go from one video to another . I suppose it's also coming to terms with my inner critic which is saying what a re you doing thinking you can sing.

[@chelseadaley9770]

Nice shirt and I actually had a quick question for ya what you do to make the sound go straight instead of being all over the place

[@shruthiannajose8753]

I was smiling at the end of the video when you said "you did it, give yourself a pat on the shoulder" 😊😊😊

[@joshuawarren5205]

I need help breaking down the song, take me to church.... its so hard cuz im a beginner

[@talentkamanga7506]

Girl you aren't got no clue as to how much this helped, thanks a lot

[@mjrchapin]

You are SUCH a wonderful teacher! Instruction, encouragement, humor--I love these lessons!

[@danielamarie0026]

Great video really learned a few things ur presentation is really good !

[@alonsoae]

You’re back!! I’m so happy for that! You’re an amazing teacher! I love all your videos! This video is what I needed! Thank you so much!!! It would be awesome if you can teach us more about singing style. God bless you!

[@fearlessisshe07]

💖💖💖

[@yenikkidays6949]

Yes! Thank you for tackling this topic, I've been wanting to myself for a long time ❤❤

[@zyequeen8976]

Favourite, you always got my back Zye Queen here an upcoming vocalist from Kenya Africa..I love you soooooo very much wish you my personal vocal coach.

[@dylanaguiar5799]

best lesson on riffs on KZbin so far. Unlocks the most rigid vocal chords.... I love it, I can feel and hear the music being created bit by bit. Thank you! Can't wait on your video on dynamics. Please? lol

[@netaelharar2705]

It’s really help me I’m doing this every day and voice sound great !!!

[@dennis130]

Your videos are like eating your favorite food and the left overs taste better the next day. Each time I play your videos it taste better and better than the time before! Thank You Mad's!

[@jacobespinola9335]

I am having such a fantastic time learning how to sing. Not only am I learning a new skill, but how to breathe and relax at the same time. As always, thank you, and I will catch you soon. Jacob

[@Vaishnavi_7]

Your videos are really useful.....i have got control over my voice... thank you...

[@DashMachete]

thank you so much, this was so helpful. You are such a charismatic soul, and you make your subscribers (me lol) feel encouraged and loved. Thank you!

[@RottenbergZhenya]

Madeleine 😘

[@ragaile19]

I learned a lot from you, honestly I love singing but I have breathing problems and this techniques helped me a lot. You are great! Thank you so much!

[@isohappynow]

Love you, Maeleine! You inspire me.

[@DerNeue0]

this is amazing and the best remedy to quartile. Can you do one on vibrato?? That would be amazing

[@paolyalmonte5207]

Thank you for this! I have to record a video of me singing and this has helped me to add some beautiful sounds to it.

[@niolet3096]

Sobhelpful

[@inspidasha1144]

you’re finally here! thanks for all

[@FranciscaRigaud]

It would probably be nice to hear a bit of a song with each? And also if ou could include the timings Gianmarco Alessio wrote on his comment on your text that would help us find the exercises when we don't need the explanation anymore? Thanks... this is something I would love to learn how to do

[@alicefrancis-lewinson4272]

I love watching your video. It really helps me so much. My big problem is hearing the keys and saying the notes to match them

[@SamsonAtota]

have been struggling with this for quiet some time, here you have solved my long time problem

[@pimnalinpimnalin3064]

Love this exercise so much thank you

[@louisereeves6039]

Thanks a million. I have an exam on Thursday and I have to sing trills mordents and acciacatura. This has helped.

[@saikimwan-zx6pw]

Thankyou Madeine. That was very helpful

[@byvayet_kleva]

Thank you so much for the video!)

[@nataliamlatec5466]

hello Madeleine, I love your videos and I'm more than happy you are back! Would you consider to film a video for mixed voice please?

[@jimijazz2011]

I do adore your work Ms. Madeleine …. You are marvelous, and this is really fantastic. a big hand to you from Baghdad with love and much respect.

[@smartin028]

Phenomenal break down... kudos and t.y.

[@rubenrodriguezosorio85]

I just want to thank GOD to give us the opportunity to meet you at this age... and now a days is very easy to the students find some videos related to singing technics but yours are sincerely awesome AND THAT SIMPLICITY, CHARISMATIC, VIVID AND CHEERFUL WAY TO ACHIVE THE GOAL THAT IS not more than give the especific tip wich can help to develope a better singing pattern, It´s a marvelous job, congrats... MASTER.... Thanks for all...NAMASTE

[@mu6644]

So.... My daily vocal training is approaching 1 hour each time more, but!!! I search for improvement, if it is too long i will stop doing some... So.. 1/21: ✅ 2/21: ✅ 3/21: ✅ 4/21: X decided to make a pause in each 3 days. 5/21: ✅ 12/01/2022 6/21: ✅ 7/21: ✅ 8/21: X 9/21: ✅ 10/21: ✅ 11/21: ✅ 12/21: X 13/21: ✅ 20 14/21: ✅ 15/21: ✅ 16/21: X 17/21: ✅ 18/21: ✅ 25 19/21: ✅ 20/21: ✅ humm..... i had to do it. 21/21: ✅ 22/21: ✅ 23/21: ✅ 24/21: X 25/21: ✅ 1 26/21: ✅ 27/21: ✅ 28/21: ✅ 29/21: ✅ 30/21: ✅ 31/21: X 32/21: ✅ 33/21: ✅ 34/21: ✅ 35/21: ✅ 36/21: ✅ 12 37/21: ✅ 38/21: ✅ 39/21: ✅ 40/21: ✅ 41/21: X i feel like dying, its worse being alive than being in hell, or maybe the same. 42/21: ✅ 43/21: ✅ 44/21: X my throat hurts. 45/22: ✅ 46/22: X I haven't done any vocal workout this because it still was pulling. 47/22: ✅ 48/22: ✅ 49/22: ✅ My mom subscribed me into vocal classes 🎉

[@maybesomeday50]

Dear Madeleine, you are the mother of my singing career. With you (and my real life teacher, but I "met" you much more often) I have gained the confidence to sing in front of other people. I have a question though. How can I break down a run that I love into pieces to learn it? My ear is not that quick and I cannot write notes, I just draw wavy lines. To be more concrete, I would love to learn that run of The House on Cliff "House of the Rising Sun" - last line "I kno-o-o-o-......w". I'd be soooo happy about a reaction video including help with that run.

[@agape8550]

I'm brazilian, and i love your videos, you're just awesome!!!!!!!

[@dennis30902]

You broke this lesson down like a fraction. The way only You can. I love coming back to this lesson. Thanks Teacher.

[@TheDrippinSwagoo]

Madeleine, can you make a video regarding how to sing on pitch on your own? When singing, if I have the song in the back ground I can usually very easily find the pitch I’m supposed to be singing on. However, if I try it acapella I can’t seem to find the same pitch no matter how hard I try. It seems like I am tone deaf, but I know I’m not.

[@anja.j3812]

You are an amazing singer teacher! I've learned so much from you, You don't know how helpful your videos are

[@betweenearthandsky4091]

Thank you sweetheart! Could you please do a video about how to sing different music styles like celtic intervals?? It would be so incredible

[@RuthButlerMusic]

I subscribed! Awesome. I cried I am so happy to learn this🙏🏼🎶🎉

[@ujjwalsevra2249]

I don't comment usually, but I have to say - YOU GAVE MY VOICE A LIFE!!! LOVE YA

[@samanthaturner9095]

Please can you do a video on how to sing 'Jolene' like Mylie Cyrus does in 'the backyard sessions' I struggle with the high 'Jolene' note. Your videos have taught me so much already and have given me the confidence to continue with singing. Thanks so much x

[@Roxyzeneger]

Thank you. Such a lovely video. Really will be integral in my journey as a superstar.

[@Janeseakanesi]

I feel like I have my very own "opera ghost" ...yet sweet, kind, and not crazy insane! ;)

[@christophe913]

❤ from France

[@tauyang9561]

Have you ever had a dream that you can learn anything you desired passionately? Me sneaking in my high school's music department's professional recording studio class just to use the sound proof room to record my covers and songs some written ones.

[@anaclarisseoczon6852]

Please make more videos. It really helps me do my vocalization during this quarantine.