The Secret to Effortless Vocal Runs and Melismas
🎤 The Secret to Effortless Vocal Runs and Melismas
Hi! I'm Jorgelina, a vocal coach who specializes in helping singers master contemporary and modern music through a healthy and fun approach. Today, I want to share a secret that transforms messy, rushed runs into smooth, effortless melismas that sound clean, accurate, and expressive.
Let’s dive into the beautiful world of vocal runs and vocal ornaments.
🌟 What are vocal ornaments?
Vocal ornaments are not a vocal method or a technique—it’s a stylistic resource. Think of it as a vocal ornament used to embellish a song, allowing you to personalize covers and performances with creativity and flair. You’ll find vocal runs everywhere in contemporary styles, from R&B to pop and soul.
Vocal runs are typically sung on a single vowel. You hold the vowel and move around it melodically, creating expressive vocal runs.
🌀 The Truth About Melismas: It’s Not About Speed
Here’s what I see all the time in my students:
They pick a song with a fast, complex melisma and try to copy it instantly. The result? It sounds more like a slide than a run—blurry, rushed, and imprecise.
But great melismas don’t just happen. They’re crafted. And the secret is this:
Melismas must sound tidy. Every note matters.
You can’t wing it. You need to slow it way down and give every note its moment.
🧠 How to Practice Melismas the Right Way
Let’s walk through the step-by-step process I teach my students:
1. Choose Your Melisma
Pick a melisma you love—start simple if you’re new to this. For example, try a descending five-note scale on a single vowel like "/a/"
2. Slow It Down
Use YouTube’s speed controls or an app and drop the playback to 75% or even 50%. If the melisma is normally sung fast, this will help you isolate and clearly hear each note.
3. Use a Metronome
Go to an online metronome and find your baseline tempo—the slowest speed at which you can sing the melisma accurately without losing any note.
Let’s say it’s 80 BPM. Sing it cleanly. Then bump it up:
85 BPM
90 BPM
95 BPM…
Increase the tempo in small steps—5 BPM at a time—until you reach the original speed of the song. Stay with each tempo until you feel complete mastery.
4. Listen for Accuracy
This is not about muscle memory alone. Listen with intention. Are the notes clean? Are they evenly spaced? If not, slow it back down and give more attention to each transition.
🛠 Pro Tip: Every Note Has Importance
One of the biggest mistakes I see is singing a melisma like it’s just one big swoop. But real mastery comes when you honor every single note. That’s what gives the run its sparkle and polish.
🎶 Want More Help?
If you want to master your dream song with personal guidance, I’ve just opened spots in my 10-week one-on-one coaching program. You'll get:
✅ Weekly live coaching
✅ WhattsApp support between sessions
✅ Exclusive exercises and resources
✅ A personalized plan to master your vocals and own your performance
👉 Apply here if you're ready to take your singing to the next level.
