Why Learning Vocal Riffs and Runs Can Transform Your Singing

Every singer hits a point where they want to do more than just sing the notes. They want to feel the song. Own it. Bend the melody. Slide between notes. Add a little magic.

Thats where vocal riffs and runs come in.

You know them the stunning flurries of notes that artists like Jasmine Sullivan, Usher, or Ariana Grande toss in effortlessly. But heres the secret: what sounds spontaneous is often built on hours of practice, deep understanding, and fearless creativity.

And the best part? You can learn to do it too even if youre starting from scratch.

My First Attempt at a Run (And Why It Flopped)

The first time I tried to copy a vocal run from a Beyonc song, I was so confident. I thought I had the notes figured out. But when I played back my recording, it was all over the place off pitch, uneven, and rushed. It didnt sound impressive. It sounded... embarrassing.

That moment taught me something important: riffs and runs are skills, not tricks. And just like any skill whether its dancing, painting, or playing an instrument it takes strategy and practice to master.

What Makes Riffs and Runs So Powerful?

When you learn how to use riffs and runs well, youre doing more than just adding flair to your voice. Youre adding:

• Expression: You can stretch or shorten phrases to fit the emotion of the moment.

• Individuality: Your vocal runs become part of your signature sound.

• Freedom: You're no longer locked into the melody you can explore and expand it.

Its no wonder so many great singers rely on them.

But... Are They Really That Hard?

Honestly? Not as hard as they seem once you break them down.

Heres how to make the process easier:

1. Choose a run with 35 notes to start
   Dont jump into 12-note vocal flips just yet.

2. Slow it WAY down
   Use 5060 BPM on a metronome. Focus on clean transitions between each pitch.

3. Sing it on vowels first
   Like ah-ah-oh-oh-ee, to help you hear and feel the notes more clearly.

4. Practice daily in small doses
   Even 10 minutes a day builds muscle memory faster than one big weekend session.

5. Use your phone to record & review
   This is your mirror. What feels good might not sound clean yet.

Why I Recommend Learning from a Structured Course

If youre like me, youve probably tried bouncing around YouTube tutorials. And while some are great, they often lack consistency or progress tracking. You get inspired but not necessarilybetter.

Thats why I loved discovering Cheryl Porters focused training on vocal riffs and runs. Her course turns what seems intimidating into an easy, fun routine. With warm-ups, call-and-response exercises, and real vocal examples, she helps you feel what you're doing, not just copy it.

Her energy is contagious and if you need encouragement as much as instruction (dont we all?), youll feel right at home.

What I Wish I Knew Earlier

Looking back, I would tell my younger self these three things:

• You dont need to sing fast to sound impressive.
  Clarity > speed. Every time.

• Runs arent just extra theyre a form of storytelling.
  Used correctly, a single 4-note riff can carry more emotion than a full verse.

• Theres no wrong voice for this.
  You dont need to sound like Mariah. You need to sound like you with confidence and control.

Final Takeaway: Riffs Are a Journey, Not a Trick

Learning vocal riffs and runs is like unlocking a new language in your singing. It gives you a way to speak through your voice not just repeat notes. Youll stumble at first (we all do), but every clean run, every smooth transition, builds your identity as a singer.

So next time you hear a gorgeous run, dont just admire it start learning it. And when youre ready for real growth, take the leap and learn with someone who knows how to guide you.