Product Description

VOCAL IMPROVISATION

Vocal Improvisation (Advance Music) has been used as a text at notable universities including the University of Southern California, University of North Texas, Berklee College of Music and many others.
(Also available in Japanese thru Japanese publisher, ATN: atn-inc.jp)

See sample pages from Vocal Improvisation.

This book/CD set can be used by any jazz musician or aspiring jazz musician, regardless of age or experience. The beginning level exercises would be suitable for a younger age group, for example as a fun introduction to jazz for elementary school kids or a high school jazz choir. Jazz band directors can use the CD and exercises to work with horn players on concepts of jazz style and articulation. Professional singers who wish to improve their skills in improvisation can benefit from working through the more advanced exercises and studying the Jazz Fundamentals chapter.

Features of the Book:

Listen to and sing along with the CD which features vocal exercises, etudes and improvised solos by singers Darmon Meader, Don Shelton and Michele Weir. They are recorded on one stereo side only so that you can turn them off to practice with the rhythm section tracks alone. Most written exercises in the book correspond to tracks on the CD. Several cuts contain call and response so that you can get started improvising right away, with no theoretical background. (The rhythm section features Joe LaBarbera on drums, John Clayton on bass, and Michele Weir on piano.)
Of special interest is the Interviews with Jazz Vocalists section in Appendix A. There you will find questions and answers about jazz and improvisation from some of todays leading professional jazz singers, including Mark Murphy, DeeDee Bridgewater, Kevin Mahogany, Kurt Elling, Bobby McFerrin, Sheila Jordan, and so on.
The Solos For Transcribing section contains a list of recorded performances suggested for listening and transcribing. Both vocal and instrumental performances are included.
The Improvisation in the Classroom chapter is devoted to ideas, methods and games for practicing vocal improvisation with groups of students.
The Jazz Fundamentals chapter provides basic, theoretical performance practice and keyboard information to vocalists and educators who have not had the benefit of an extensive jazz background.
The Glossary contains musical terms and phrases relating to jazz that are an important part of the working jargon of jazz musicians.