Singing in Harmony: Tips for Beginners

The Joy of Singing in Harmony

Learning to sing in harmony is an exciting milestone for singers of all ages. Many people think singing in harmony comes naturally; however, it is a learned skill, and many students will require your guidance and support. (Singing Teacher Patience) So!  We are sharing our favourite downloads and some of our go-to teaching strategies to get singers harmonizing ASAP!  Whether you're working with individual students or small groups, these songs make harmony accessible and fun!

A very special thank you to our composer friend, Glyn Lehmann, for developing this song package for us. The Four Seasons Harmony Studies offers beginner-level songs that are catchy and easy to learn. These are the perfect simple songs to discover the joy of singing with others!

The Four Seasons Harmony Studies (In order of difficulty)

Autumn or Fall
A delightful echo song, perfect for younger students or beginners. Echo songs are an excellent foundation for harmony as they encourage active listening to melody and rhythm.

Spring is Here, Ah-Choo!
This two-part harmony study introduces a simple alto line, making it a great next step for singers ready to move beyond unison singing. Simple two-part songs like this are perfect for a teacher and student to sing together, building confidence in holding harmony.

Summer Somersaults
A three-part round with a fun reggae beat, this song brings the joy of canon singing to your lessons. Perfect for small group classes, it’s an engaging way to practice harmony in a rhythmic and lively style.

Winter Woolies
A chilly partner song that allows each singer to shine as a soloist before bringing two unique melodies together in a playful reprise. Partner songs are ideal for more experienced singers, as the melodies are quite distinct and require strong independent singing skills.

Teaching Tips for Introducing Harmony

Here are some helpful teaching strategies to get the most out of these harmony studies:

1. Call and Response Exercises

Call and response exercises are foundational for teaching harmony. Sing a phrase and have your students sing it back (teaching by rote). This approach strengthens listening skills and pitch accuracy.

Tips:

• It is essential to sing voice-to-voice instead of relying on the piano for note-plunking.
• Normalize unaccompanied singing. Singers need to hear their voices and be OK with making mistakes.
• Repeat phrases as needed and slow down the tempo for struggling students.
• Be patient! Mastery takes time, and slower pacing leads to better results.

2. Echo Songs

Echo songs, like Autumn or Fall, expand on call-and-response exercises. They help students actively listen to their partner’s melody and rhythm.

Tip: Let your students lead the echo. It builds confidence and encourages them to take ownership of their learning.
Other Echo Songs for Beginners: Hummy Hummingbirds

3. Canon Singing

Canon singing, as in Summer Somersaults, is a fantastic introduction to harmony. Students learn to maintain their part while listening to others—a critical skill for ensemble singing.

Tip: Begin with two voices and gradually add the third part as students become more comfortable.

Other teacher and student favourites from our website:
Harmony Llamas (for teenage singers)
Cat and Dog Canons (for absolute beginners)

4. Partner Songs

Partner songs, like Winter Woolies, allow students to hear how two independent melodies fit together. However, these are best suited for more experienced singers, as the distinct melodies require strong independent singing skills.

Tip: Work on each melody individually before combining them. Encourage singers to listen for how their part complements the other. Bonus: ask singers to analyse the score and find the intervals in the song.

5. Two-Part Songs

Songs like Spring is Here, Ah-Choo! are a fantastic introduction to harmony for beginners. Teachers and students can sing together, providing a supportive environment for developing confidence in harmony singing.

Teacher tip: Make sure students are extremely confident in their part before adding in the new part.

6. Never Underestimate Simple Songs

Simple songs, like echo songs and two-part pieces, are valuable for students of all ages. Even your adult singers may need extra support when learning to hold harmonies, and these approachable pieces are perfect for building their confidence.

Why Choose Our Song Downloads?

FULL VOICE resources are thoughtfully developed to make harmony accessible for young singers. The engaging melodies, variety of harmony styles, and included teaching materials ensure success for both students and teachers. Whether you're teaching private lessons or group classes, Four Seasons Harmony Studies is a must-have addition to your teaching toolbox.

Did you know? FULL VOICE Song Downloads include a studio or classroom license. This means you have legal permission to make copies for your students. (Forever)