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Learn to sing and listen deeply at the same time.

Scat Singing Fundamentals III:
Mastering Jazz Vocals

with Sarah M. Greer & Jennifer Parker

Saturday, November 7th from 1:30 to 4:00 pm

Jazz Central Studios • 407 Central Ave SE • Minneapolis • 55415

Hello. We are Sarah and Jen.

We invite you to join us for Scat Singing Fundamentals III. This third installment of our popular scat singing series provides time and space for more advanced practice and exploration.

While we continue to practice the skills taught in previous workshops – vocal colors, personal language, front/back phrasing, etc. – we will begin working with more advanced elements of jazz vocals, including rhythmic variety, melodic development, lyric interpretation and adding personal style through vocal techniques.

You will practice and improve your jazz vocals and scat singing with the aid of experienced coaches and other supportive singers.

Building skills and confidence

As in previous Scat Singing Fundamentals workshops, we work individually and in ensemble to help you develop tools to improve your scat singing. We will continue to work with the tools and methods from previous workshops while expanding our focus to include:

Feeling groove, fast tempos and odd meter
Melodic development during scat singing
Working with song form and trading bars
How to improvise on the lyric
Improvising lyrics and stories (expanding your personal language)
Finding direction in your scat solos

What are the benefits of learning to scat sing?

Technically, scat singing lets us practice many musical skills at once. Through scat singing we can further develop our harmonic and rhythmic skills; learn to count bars and sing over changes; and expand ours use of vocal range and colors.

Artistically, scat singing invites us to explore what we sing and share our purpose for singing it. Through scat singing and lyric improvisation, we can deepen our understanding of the relationships between melody and lyric and soloist and ensemble.

Overall, the ability to improvise builds trust in your self, your voice and your abilities. When you trust your voice, you can trust your ensemble. You can listen deeply and sing at the same time.

“I would absolutely take this class again and again. So much to learn and practice. You made the environment so safe and fun and adventurous.” — Lynette

Who can attend?

This intermediate level workshop is for singers who want to practice more advanced scat singing and improvisation skills in songs and other standard forms.

While this workshop was designed for singers who have attended Scat Singing Fundamentals workshops, we welcome singers with other jazz vocal or scat singing experience. Attendance at previous SSF workshops is NOT required.

Suitable for adults and teens who like to sing, who are comfortable singing in a group setting and who have good rhythm and pitch skills and a familiarity with song forms.

Each singer receives personal attention and feedback.

Do I need to bring anything?

You might want to bring a notebook, pen or pencil and water bottle with you. You are welcome to bring a recorder.

How do I register?

Please complete the form below to start the registration process. After you enter your contact information, you will be sent to a page to submit your secure online payment via PayPal.

If you prefer to mail a check, please get in touch to register. NOTE: you should complete the form below even if you plan to mail a check – completing this form gets you on the workshop mailing list for important course info and updates.

Enrollment is limited to 10 singers.

Registration has closed for this workshop.

I am happy to answer your questions; please get in touch.

608-338-6840
sg@sarahmgreer.com

About Sarah M. Greer

“I have spent a decade studying vocal improvisation and the gifts have been many. I witnessed my singing and performing open and expand. I feel confident and inspired in varied performance settings and that I can really “say what I mean” when I sing. Most important, my voice feels flexible and available. I want to share these gifts with other singers.” ~sg

Sarah M. Greer is a performer, instructor and improviser who combines vocal improvisation, education and performance. Based in the Twin Cities, Sarah has invented music on local and international stages. She loves performing and co-creating with other singers and instrumentalists.

She has studied improvisation with singers from around the world and learned circle singing from Rhiannon, a member of Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra.

Sarah is passionate about the art of improvisation and helping singers trust, develop and enjoy their unique instruments.

About Jen Parker

Jennifer Parker head shot Jennifer Parker has taught at McNally Smith College of Music since 2008 as a vocal instructor and vocal jazz director. Her degrees include: M.M. Vocal Performance, Western Michigan University, and B.A. University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.

With her heart in education, Jennifer spends a great deal of time as a guest artist and clinician. Her professional highlights include directing the SSA Colorado All State Jazz Choir, the International Music Camp vocal jazz groups and adjudicating the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

About Jazz Central Studios

Jazz Central Studios is located on Central Avenue Southeast directly across from the Aveda Institute. The JCS studio space is on the lower level. (There is not an elevator.)

Metered street parking is available on Central Avenue.