Altered Version 1: Details
Problem: the descending motif in bar 2 drops in pitch.
Possible solutions:
- The conductor demonstrates the singing very accurately during the teaching process, allowing the singers to learn well by ear. Attention may be drawn to the need to ‘lift’ the note C (so) in the descending line, with momentum maintained through the next note also (mi.)
- The conductor uses fluent, supportive gestures to create momentum and accuracy on the ‘mi’ at the end of bar 1, and carries this through into bar 2.
- As part of the teaching process, the conductor leads the singers in practising short melodic phrases using intervals of the pentatonic tone set, giving feedback where appropriate and guiding the singers in accurate intonation. Also, the conductor teaches that special care is needed in singing descending pentatonic motifs, to ensure that good tuning is maintained.