Chapter 25: A Group That Needs No Vocal Coach (Please Add to Your Favorites)

Early the next morning, Fang Xing was the first to arrive at the rehearsal room. He warmed up his facial muscles, preparing his voice. Shao Yu hurriedly roused Lu Ming, Guo Keda, and Wang Huajun from their beds.

"This morning, it's our turn to get guidance from the vocal coach. Get up quickly—let's rehearse a few times before the teacher arrives, or we'll be full of mistakes."

Lu Ming groped for his glasses at the head of the bed, and after putting them on, shuffled to wash up with the gait of a zombie.

By the time it was nearly eight o'clock, everyone had gathered in the rehearsal room.

Fang Xing took his seat at the piano and asked, "Did you all finish the assignment I gave you last night?"

"I've listened to my lines over a hundred times, probably more. My head is just echoing those lyrics nonstop," Guo Keda replied, shaking his head as if trying to dislodge the words that had turned to mush in his brain.

Fang Xing pressed middle C on the piano and began the warm-up. "Alright, let's start by opening up our voices. Follow me for the lip trill exercise, starting from middle C—do-do-do-do-do..."

The others instinctively began the vocal exercises with him, not even questioning why.

The four of them, like diligent students, followed along with the trills.

However, a proper lip trill requires the lips to vibrate like dragonfly wings.

Wang Huajun and Guo Keda had never trained this way before, so their lips wouldn't vibrate.

Fang Xing poked his own cheeks with two fingers and said, "If your lips won't vibrate, use your fingers to rub your dimples and lift upward—it'll help them start buzzing."

Guo Keda, who sang often and had some foundation, managed to get his lips vibrating after a quick try.

Wang Huajun, on the other hand, struggled more—his singing ability was entirely that of an amateur.

"It's alright if you can't get the trill going. Let's move on to humming exercises. Follow the scale with me—mm-mm-mm-mm-mm..." Fang Xing led them to the next step, continuing the warm-up.

At that moment, the production crew clustered at the door, hearing the trainees warming up inside.

The director was about to step in and call them to begin group practice.

The vocal coach, Chen Chaonan, raised a hand to stop him. "Don't interrupt—let them take their time."

So, the group stood at the door and watched.

The crew quickly brought over stools for Chen Chaonan and the other vocal coaches to sit and wait.

Fang Xing pressed D above middle C and continued with the humming exercises: "Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm..."

Then came E, F, G, A, B—each step raising the scale.

By the time they reached A above middle C, two of them couldn't keep up with the pitch.

Because B above middle C—international notation B4—is already quite high for male voices.

"If you can't go higher, lower the key yourself. Lu Ming, keep going—second octave C, mm-mm-mm-mm-mm..." Fang Xing continued directing.

Guo Keda and Wang Huajun couldn't match the high notes, but for Lu Ming, this was just entering his comfortable range.

Fang Xing led Lu Ming all the way up to A5—the second octave A—before ending the warm-up.

Throughout, Chen Chaonan and the other vocal coaches stood at the door, watching.

The director asked several times if they should tell the group to stop.

Chen Chaonan waved him off. "I've seen so many teams—this is the only one where the leader warms up the group, and the steps are so professional. It seems Fang Xing didn't waste his time at school; he's really learned something."

After about twenty minutes, Fang Xing and the others finished their humming exercises.

The director hurried forward. "Fang Xing, Coach Chen is here. Hurry and practice your group performance a few times, see if there are any issues."

"Alright. Let's start the group rehearsal. Listen carefully to the intro—Shao Yu and Lu Ming, you come in together on the first line."

Fang Xing began to play, and beautiful melodies leapt from the piano.

The song started with a chorus from the very first line.

Lu Ming sang the upper part, Shao Yu the lower.

Since both had thoroughly practiced their parts yesterday, they began the duet in perfect time with the piano accompaniment.

As soon as they sang, a gentle and ethereal melody seemed to sweep over everyone.

The first run-through was riddled with flaws.

Especially Wang Huajun—his singing was truly lacking, and he even came in half a beat late with the lyrics.

The vocal coaches, Chen Chaonan among them, were ready to point out the problems, but Fang Xing spoke first.

"Wang Huajun, you came in late. Listen to the accompaniment—when it hits this note, that's your cue. Don't be afraid of coming in too early; if you hesitate, you'll always be late."

"Captain, I really can't sing well," Wang Huajun admitted, fully aware of his own limits. He was confident in dancing, but not singing.

Besides, vocal skill isn't something you can develop in a day or two.

Still, there are ways to cram at the last minute.

Fang Xing glanced at Shao Yu. "Then watch Shao Yu's mouth. Shao Yu, when it's his turn to come in, cue him in."

"Sure," Shao Yu nodded.

Fang Xing turned to Lu Ming. "And you—sing out boldly. Believe that your tone can sound great with practice. We'll support you with the lower parts to fill out the sound. Alright, let's go again."

After the instructions, Fang Xing played the intro once more.

For the second rehearsal, with the guidance in mind, Wang Huajun watched Shao Yu's mouth for his cue and didn't miss the timing.

Lu Ming also went for it, raising his volume.

With Fang Xing's harmony added, this run-through was much improved.

Applause erupted as they finished their second rehearsal.

Chen Chaonan began clapping, smiling. "Looks like this team doesn't need us after all."

"Teacher," Fang Xing stood up with the others to greet them.

Another vocal coach chimed in, "With two vocal majors out of five, we really don't need to interfere. You can take the morning off, haha..."

The director quickly asked, "Coach Chen, are you sure you don't want to give them some guidance? Just a few pointers?"

Footage of the vocal coaches instructing each group was one of the key shots to capture.

If there was nothing, there'd be nothing to edit later.

"No need. Fang Xing's professional skills are more than enough to lead them. Besides, teaching someone to watch their teammate's mouth for cues isn't something I can teach," Chen Chaonan joked.

As a doctoral advisor in vocal performance, he couldn't exactly teach his students to rely on watching someone else's mouth.

But it was, in truth, a practical last-minute fix.

After all, Wang Huajun was not a professional singer, nor would he be pursuing a future in vocals. Getting the timing right in a short period was enough.

"It's just a shortcut," Fang Xing said sheepishly, scratching his head.

Wang Huajun, a bit self-conscious in front of the coaches, quickly explained, "My vocal skills are just too poor. Listening to the accompaniment alone, I really struggle to come in on time. The captain is just trying to help me."

"Don't worry. As long as you perform well on stage, the method doesn't matter. Alright, keep practicing—we'll head back," Chen Chaonan said with a wave, taking his leave.

The production crew was left a bit at a loss—there hadn't been any footage of the coaches instructing this team.