Singing Lesson on Vocal Riffing & Improvisation
How to Sing With Riffing and by Improvising a Piece of Music
Nov 1, 2009
Ad libbing, riffing and improvising when learning how to sing have the same definition: a deviation from the essential melody of the song via a made up series of notes or sounds on top. Many R&B and Rock and Roll singers do so in order to add an extra layer to the fabric of the song with their own expressive imprint.
Riffing may sometimes involve the inclusion of made up words and sounds; sometimes it may consist of an intricate series of notes sung at velocity, or few sustained notes held for several beats over the melody.
Vocal Exercises on How to Riff Over a Song
Improvising a song may come easily to some singing students, but this may not come naturally to others. In fact, Howard Gardner’s Book The Theory of Multiple Intelligences [Fontana Press 1993] identifies two sides to musical talent: the figural mode and the formal mode. Some subjects may have a more developed figural mode than others.
It is the figural mode that is practiced when improvising a song, for this involves the right side of the brain, the side that is concerned with musical instinct as opposed to what is learned.
Learning How to Add Lib a Song
The singing coach may encourage students who are ready to practice improvisation via singing exercises outlined below. Those who find this difficult may partake in other singing exercises in order to build confidence. However, the vocal coach may employ any of the following exercises to assist students with getting to grips with riffing.
- Before practicing riffing, the singing student should be well-practiced and confident in other areas of singing, such as how to sing in key and rhythm, correct breathing and using forward placement
- The student should be able to sing the essential melody with confidence and over the breaking point before attempting to riff over it
- In the first instance, students need not concern themselves with vocal range, power or vibrato. In fact, humming a riff under the breath is a good initiation exercise
- Listening carefully to the backing track whilst humming a riff will keep the student in touch with the music and to listen out for cues when improvising
- It is important to keep in touch with the beat. Tapping a hard surface or swaying may help keep the riff anchored to the song
- When attempting to riff over the song for the first time, the student may feel uncertain. Practicing alone may help initially
- The student may begin by improvising with sustained notes before attempting an intricate riff in order to address differentiation
- Listening to other singers who are known for their riffing, such as George Benson and Bob Marley, as well as how musicians riff over a tune, such as Lois Armstrong and Eric Clapton may help the student develop their own instinct for riffing via influences from others
Vocal Exercises Before Riffing
The larynx must be relaxed and not jammed up whilst practicing riffing, and the voice appropriately warmed up first. If the singer loses the feel for riffing, it helps to encourage the student to keep going regardless. This will help the student overcome confidence issues that is really at the core of improvised singing.
Singing Technique for Voice Improvisation
Students wishing to learn how to riff may benefit from specialised singing lessons aimed at getting in touch with the singer’s inner instinct for music as opposed to what is learned. A certain amount of confidence is required when riffing, so the teacher may help the student build confidence by ensuring the student experiences success in other singing techniques such as correct breathing and forward placement. The singer may practice alone or hum under the breath before commencing onto further singing exercises outlined above.
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