Index
The Practice Videos. Pattern 1: (Set M)3notepatten
Vocal Training Introduction
Building a strong musical foundation begins with understanding the fundamental building blocks of melody. The Tri-Formations Challenge focuses on mastering three-note patterns, essential for developing vocal range, intonation, and overall musicianship.
In this article ‘Pattern One: Three Ascending Notes, One Step Apart’ is presented in all available keys. The first set is ‘Series M’ that uses three crotchet beats of 1 count each.
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Three-Note Pattern Basics
A three-note pattern is a group of three notes that are played or sung in succession. The notes used in the twelve three note pattern units are all the interval or a step (an interval of a major or minor second: one or two semitones) or a skip (an interval of a major or minor third: three or four semitones) apart using ascending or descending notes.
In your initial lessons with your TQ Vocal Teacher you will have found out your natural pitch range. You may have this written down in your TQ Portfolio or Music Journal (available from Amazon https://amzn.to/4hcAXEq), this is the starting place where you can work with your tutor to expand your range and intonation skills. If you are unsure please speak to your Music Teacher. With guidance from a qualified instructor, singers may be able to systematically expand their vocal range, improve their core strength and refine their intonation skills through consistent practice of these patterns.
Tuner Recommendation
It is recommended that a tune is used to assist in pitch accuracy. There are many tuners available to download onto a smart phone or tablet.
A recommended app for Android or the App store is available from https://soundcorset.com/
Benefits of Learning Three-Note Patterns
There are many benefits to learning three-note patterns from the major scale as vocal exercises.
These exercises can help singers to:
Develop their vocal range
Improve their intonation
Strengthen their musicianship
Learn to sing in tune with others
Build confidence in their singing ability
Three-Note Patterns in a Major Scale
At TQ Level One the three-note pattern focus is on three consecutive notes one step or one skip apart in an ascending or descending style; these are fundamental building blocks of music. These patterns can be used to create melodies, harmonies, and chord progressions. By practicing three-note patterns from the major scale, singers can develop their vocal range, intonation, and musicianship. There have been many studies into the relationship between children’s ability to sing, and the ability to sing in tune. A study on The Relationship Between Children’s Use of Singing Voice and Singing Accuracy showed that the perception of the required pitch was different to the vocal ability to produce an accurate pitch. It was found that this differed according to age (especially with adolescent males). Research has consistently demonstrated the importance of focused pitch training in vocal development. As Geringer noted in The Relationship of Pitch-Matching and Pitch-Discrimination Abilities of Preschool and Fourth-Grade Students, pitch discrimination and vocal pitch-matching are distinct skills that require targeted practice. Research shows that musical training can improve pitch discrimination and performance, however, there is little evidence that training in one musical skill improves another. This is why focused training on pitch is as important as ‘songs’ (Geringer, 1983, Rutkowski, 2015).
Pitch discrimination is the ability to correctly detect intervals or differences between pitches between notes whereas pitch matching is the ability to hear and sing the same note. Pitch matching depends on pitch discrimination. These exercises start to train the ear and the vocal cords to hear and reproduce the correct pitch (Nguyen et al., 2022, Fadel et al., 2017).
Can you Succeed in the Tri-Formations Challenge?
To earn the Tri-Formations Challenge certificate & gem award, students must successfully perform twelve variations of the three-note patterns in three consecutive keys. An example of this could be C, D and E major keys.
Prepare these in a video and send a video recording to the reception mobile phone starting with your name, teacher and the Pattern 1 keys. A PDF download to help with the video presentation is available below.
At level one the videos should demonstrate a clear introduction, confident projection and good pitch. The patterns should follow a steady beat or be sung with the supplied backing track.
PDF Download
Vocal Training: Pattern One: M Series
The first pattern option is ‘M’ that uses the rhythm of three ascending crotchets (quarter notes) an interval of one step (second) apart.
These videos are practice melodies to sing with, each melody commences with a sounding of the tonic chord and the first note which is not to be sung but is there to help the singer pitch the note. The following three bars are to be sung and are repeated. This repeat enables the singer to benefit from a second attempt. The sung section follows the following pattern in Sol-fa
Doh-Re-Mi | Re-Mi-Fa | Mi-Fa-Soh | This sequence covers a total note span of the first five notes of the major scale.
The Practice Videos. Pattern 1: (Set M)
Free PDF Worksheet Download
Glossary
Three-Note Pattern: A group of three notes that are played or sung in succession, often forming a melodic fragment.
Interval: The distance in pitch between two notes.
Step (Second): An interval of a second, consisting of one or two semitones.
Skip (Third): An interval of a third, consisting of three or four semitones.
Natural Pitch Range: The range of notes that a singer can comfortably and accurately produce.
Intonation: The accuracy of pitch when singing or playing an instrument.
Musicianship: The overall skill and understanding of music, including rhythm, melody, harmony, and expression.
Major Scale: A diatonic scale with a characteristic pattern of whole and half semitones: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone.
Pitch Discrimination: The ability to correctly detect intervals or differences between pitches or notes.
Pitch Matching: The ability to hear and sing the same note.
Tonic Chord: The chord built on the first degree of a scale, serving as the base for the key.
Sol-fa: A system of associating syllables (Doh, Re, Mi, etc.) with the notes of a musical scale.
Crotchet (Quarter Note): A note lasting one beat in 4/4 time.
Quick Quiz
What is a three-note pattern, and what intervals are used in the presented patterns?
Why is it important for singers to know their natural pitch range?
List three benefits of learning three-note patterns from the major scale.
What is the difference between pitch discrimination and pitch matching, and why is this distinction important for vocal training?
According to the provided research, what is the relationship between musical training and improved musical skills?
What are the requirements for earning the Tri-Formations Challenge certificate at level one?
Describe Pattern One (M Series) in terms of its rhythm and melodic movement.
What is the purpose of sounding the tonic chord and first note before each practice melody?
What is the note span of the sung section of the Pattern One exercise, expressed in Sol-fa?
What is the recommended tempo for performing the Tri-Formations Challenge?
TQ Teacher Training
Essay Questions
Discuss the role of the major scale in vocal training. How does understanding its structure inform the practice of three-note patterns?
Explore the psychological aspects of singing. How does the Tri-Formations Challenge help to build confidence and overcome performance anxiety?
Compare and contrast different methods of vocal training. What are the strengths and weaknesses of using three-note patterns as a foundational exercise?
Design a vocal training program that incorporates the principles outlined in the source material. How would you structure lessons to maximize student progress?
Analyze the long-term benefits of consistent vocal practice. How can exercises like the Tri-Formations Challenge contribute to a singer's overall vocal health and performance ability?
TQ Tutor Skill Summary
In the Elementary Programme there are four levels with seven TQ Zones in each level. Each Zone is split into seven interrelated Zones.
The items used in this worksheet are:
TQ Find Zone | Focus 3
TQ Find Zone | Focus 4
TQ Find Zone | Focus 10
TQ Find Zone | Focus 11
Reference list
Fadel, X., Ribas, Â., Débora Lüders, Vinícius Ribas Fonseca and Nunes, M. (2017). Pitch-Matching Accuracy and Temporal Auditory Processing. International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, [online] 22(02), pp.113–118. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1603763.
Geringer, J.M. (1983). The Relationship of Pitch-Matching and Pitch-Discrimination Abilities of Preschool and Fourth-Grade Students. Journal of Research in Music Education, [online] 31(2), pp.93–99. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/3345213.
Nguyen, D.D., Chacon, A.M., Novakovic, D., Hodges, N.J., Carding, P.N. and Madill, C. (2022). Pitch Discrimination Testing in Patients with a Voice Disorder. Journal of Clinical Medicine, [online] 11(3), p.584. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030584.
Rutkowski, J. (2015). The Relationship between Children’s Use of Singing Voice and Singing Accuracy. Music Perception: an Interdisciplinary Journal, [online] 32(3), pp.283–292. doi:https://doi.org/10.1525/mp.2015.32.3.283.