Vocal Riffing

by Matt
(Monroeville, OH, US)

Okay, I've been performing for about three years now, on a very small scale, and I do okay at it. Recently, I've wanted to add a little something to my songs/performances. And it hit me, vocal riffing. I can do some very simple riffs.

I've heard some in various songs though, that I would LOVE to be able to do. I cannot seem to make my voice do them.

I can do a short, downward riff. For example an F, E-flat, and C, with ease, but cannot go up AT ALL..like E-flat, F, and G...I've heard it done before, but I cannot go easily from one note to the next.

Also, the kind of riff you hear in "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson, in the chorus in the line "I can't believe it's happening to me"...on the "ning-syllable" of the word happening. Now, I know exactly the notes she's singing, but I cannot figure out how to make my vocal chords make it happen.

The same riff can be heard in "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus, in the first verse in the line "you'll never reach it", in the word "reach". I would really love to be able to do this, if for no other reason, to be able to do it.

As a musician, there's always something to learn, but when I find something I cannot do, it irritates me, and I just have to figure out how to do it.