Singing in tune

by Freddie King, international coach

(from Dundalk Md Charivari, Tom Wheatley, editor)

In addition to the reasons covered in prior chapters, there are other causes of flatting. These are basically self-explanatory.

Unless releases are precise and intensely vitalized, there will often be a slight drop in pitch.
Slurring, scooping or approaching notes from below will result in flatting.
Repeated notes in a phrase are often wrongly approached from below. This causes each succeeding note to be slightly lower in pitch.
Faulty diction causes flatting.
Attacking a singing consonant below the pitch of the following vowel, and then sliding up to it will produce flatting. The singable consonant must always be sung on the pitch of the following vowel. Particular attention must be paid to L, M and N.
Insecurity in voice parts, guessing at notes and following rather than thinking for oneself will lead to flatting.
Overlearning a selection (going stale) likewise leads to flatting.
Having singers in the wrong voice part may cause them to sing out of tune.