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Jazz Fundamentals II:
Finding Freedom in Forms

ONLINE WORKSHOP

New date! Saturday, May 16th from 1:30 to 3:00 pm

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

Hi. I’m Sarah,

I invite you to join us for Jazz Fundamentals II. This second improv and jazz singing workshop provides time and space to learn more tools and techniques.

While we continue to practice the skills taught in Jazz Fundamentals I (scat singing, vocal colors, personal language, front/back phrasing, etc.), we will add working with song forms, specifically the 12-bar blues and rhythm changes.

This workshop allows you to practice and improve your jazz vocals including your scat singing.

Building skills and confidence

As this workshop,  we expand our focus to include:

• Working with song form and singing over changes (i.e. counting bars)
• Melodic and rhythmic development
• Moving between lyric and invented language (scat singing)
• Building a sense of direction in your scat solos

With a few new approaches and exercises, you can improvise better and breathe new life into your songs (even the ones you have been singing for years).

What are the benefits of learning to improvise?

Technically, improvising lets us practice many musical skills at once. Through improvising 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, improvising 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 workshop is for singers who want to practice scat singing and improvising in songs and other standard forms. Attendance at Jazz Fundamentals I is helpful, but not required.

It is suitable for adults and teens who like to sing, who are comfortable singing in a group setting and who have some rhythm and pitch skills.

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?

Enrollment is limited to 10 singers.

Still have questions?

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

608-338-6840
sg@sarahmgreer.com

About Sarah M. Greer

“I have spent over 16 years studying vocal improvisation and the gifts have been many. I have 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 recording artist 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.

Sarah has a degree in vocal performance, has recorded an album original jazz (What the Music Says Do, 2018) and has studied improvisation with singers from around the world.

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

Songtaneous Workshops
PO Box 7054 Mpls MN 55407
© Sarah M. Greer.