Performing Wild Mountain Thyme in three part harmony
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can sing Wild Mountain Thyme in three part harmony with changing vocal textures.
Key learning points
- Changing vocal textures adds interest to a song.
- Harmony that has its own distinct melodic shape and rhythm, and often slightly different words, creates a countermelody.
- When we sing in harmony, we should be aware of the overall balance of the sound so that the melody is always clear.
- We can use dynamics to help us create an expressive performance.
Keywords
Texture - the layers of instrumental or vocal sounds and how they fit together
Range - the difference between the highest and lowest notes in a melody line
Countermelody - harmony that has its own distinct melodic shape and rhythm, creating a second melody
Vocal register - the higher or lower parts of your singing voice
Balance - how each part is matched against another to ensure that no one part overwhelms the others
Common misconception
When singing in harmony, the highest part is often sung the loudest, even when the melody is lower.
The melody should always be sung loudest, so those singing higher harmonies should make a conscious effort to sing with a quieter dynamic.
Teacher tip
There are opportunities to change the layout of the song - e.g. you might want the group singing harmony 1 in the chorus to sing the melody in verse 3. This can provide extra challenge in each part. The vocals are recorded an octave lower. Pupils and teachers can use whichever octave feels right.
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