MAPSSustain a Long Note
Summary
A vocal warm-up activity in which students first exhale steadily through wu, si, and zz for 5 seconds each, then transfer the sustained breath into singing any single pitch on oo. The activity trains breath support and listening to one's own voice, and gradually extends the duration from 5 seconds to 8, 10, and 15 seconds.
Procedures
- 1
Take a deep breath and exhale steadily on wu (like a sigh) for 5 seconds.
- 2
Repeat step 1, this time exhaling on s (like a deflating balloon) for 5 seconds.
- 3
Repeat again, this time buzzing zz (like a mosquito) for 5 seconds.
- 4
Building on this sensation, imagine any pitch and produce a voiced sound.
- 5
Keeping the same vocal feeling, sing any single pitch on oo for 5 seconds.
- 6
Challenge: extend to 8 seconds! 10 seconds! 15 seconds!
Variations
1. This game can be combined with breath games such as blowing hot soup or blowing out candles.
2. Inhale fully to prepare; after inhaling, pause briefly to feel the belly expand.
3. Try producing short, staccato sounds as a contrast to the long tone.
Activity Preparation
1. Teacher demonstrates each breath sound.
2. Choose a comfortable starting pitch.
Activity Sources
- Source Type:
- Textbook / Book
- Source:
- Music Classroom Games: 53 Ways to Teach Music Well - Step One, activity Sustain a Long Note.
MAPS teaching activities may come from a variety of sources, including original contributions by the MAPS team, online resources, published materials, activities learned from teachers, activities shared by colleagues, traditional teaching practices, and other sources. When a source can be reasonably identified, we make every effort to acknowledge it on the relevant activity page or in the accompanying reference information.
Some content may be organized, translated, structured, or adapted by the MAPS team for specific teaching contexts. Such editorial or instructional adaptation does not mean that MAPS claims ownership of the underlying third-party material. Rights to third-party content remain with the original authors, publishers, or other lawful rights holders.
If you are an author, copyright holder, or authorized representative and have questions or concerns regarding the source, attribution, or use of any content, please contact us:
Email: musicactivityps@gmail.com
Sustain a Long Note
Summary
A vocal warm-up activity in which students first exhale steadily through wu, si, and zz for 5 seconds each, then transfer the sustained breath into singing any single pitch on oo. The activity trains breath support and listening to one's own voice, and gradually extends the duration from 5 seconds to 8, 10, and 15 seconds.
Procedures
- 1
Take a deep breath and exhale steadily on wu (like a sigh) for 5 seconds.
- 2
Repeat step 1, this time exhaling on s (like a deflating balloon) for 5 seconds.
- 3
Repeat again, this time buzzing zz (like a mosquito) for 5 seconds.
- 4
Building on this sensation, imagine any pitch and produce a voiced sound.
- 5
Keeping the same vocal feeling, sing any single pitch on oo for 5 seconds.
- 6
Challenge: extend to 8 seconds! 10 seconds! 15 seconds!
Variations
1. This game can be combined with breath games such as blowing hot soup or blowing out candles.
2. Inhale fully to prepare; after inhaling, pause briefly to feel the belly expand.
3. Try producing short, staccato sounds as a contrast to the long tone.
Activity Preparation
1. Teacher demonstrates each breath sound.
2. Choose a comfortable starting pitch.
Activity Sources
- Source Type:
- Textbook / Book
- Source:
- Music Classroom Games: 53 Ways to Teach Music Well - Step One, activity Sustain a Long Note.
MAPS teaching activities may come from a variety of sources, including original contributions by the MAPS team, online resources, published materials, activities learned from teachers, activities shared by colleagues, traditional teaching practices, and other sources. When a source can be reasonably identified, we make every effort to acknowledge it on the relevant activity page or in the accompanying reference information.
Some content may be organized, translated, structured, or adapted by the MAPS team for specific teaching contexts. Such editorial or instructional adaptation does not mean that MAPS claims ownership of the underlying third-party material. Rights to third-party content remain with the original authors, publishers, or other lawful rights holders.
If you are an author, copyright holder, or authorized representative and have questions or concerns regarding the source, attribution, or use of any content, please contact us:
Email: musicactivityps@gmail.com
