Fast runs, AKA melismas/riffs/ ad libs are a sequence of notes sung quickly on one or more vowels, with a clear distinction between each of them.
This distinction is called grid, and most of the times even though the grid is there, the run is sung so fast that it’s hard for us to hear all the notes.
Here is an example of riffs with grid:
and here you can hear the same riffs without grid:
How can one become better at singing runs?
If you want to have more speed and accuracy when singing runs there are three things that will help you:
1. Work on developing fast vibrato.
If you listen closely to the examples in the following video, you will hear this fast vibrato that each of the singers has before or at the end of the riff:
It is not by chance that most singers who can riff like that have great, fast vibrato (i.e. pulsation vibrato).
The connection between the two lies in the movement of the larynx.
Unlike the laryngeal vibrato, in which there’s a mild change of pitch, the pulsation vibrato has a different larynx movement that slightly “shakes” the same note.
It is this movement that creates the grid.
*for more information about the different types of vibrato click here.
2. Sing scales. Many of them. Use all vowels, different speeds, and intervals.
Practicing scales will help you improve your speed IF you do it right.
The secret here is to start slow or in a speed that is comfortable for you.
If you start losing the grid or if you didn’t have it in the first place then you’re going too fast for your pace.
In addition, if your jaw or other muscles in the throat tense up while you’re riffing, you’re using the wrong muscles in an attempt to get the grid.
It can either be due to the fact that you’re singing faster than you can control OR something else more basic such as – breath-support, vowels or other components that can
create tension when not done correctly.
3. Use musical riffs and develop your own
This 3rd step is for when you already have more control over your vibrato and speed of singing different notes while keeping the grid.
Instead of a simple major/minor/pentatonic/chromatic scale, use actual riffs from a song that you like and practice them in different pitches and speeds.
Finally, use a backing track to improvise freely and find your own riffs and runs.
To sum up –
When adjusting the exercises to your level, singing riffs and runs should be super fun and feel easy in the sense that you’re not constricting.
That being said, developing this skill to a high-level demands time, practice, patience, and consistency.
I believe that in many cases singers get frustrated or fatigue because they’re attempting runs that are too complicated at the beginning AND/OR there are other technical issues that need to be addressed and eliminated.
Work with a metronome and start slowly with both vibrato and scales.
When it feels easy to maintain the vibrato and the sung scale at a certain speed, it’s time to step it up and increase the speed a bit.
Step by step and with daily practice, you will be able to sing your favorite riffs in their original speed like a pro :)
I leave you with a nice video of some badass riffers!!