Re: Jazz Singing
From: 43INGBERMAN@cua.edu
To: VOCALIST-Digest
Date: Monday, February 02, 1998 6:19 AM
Subject: Jazz singing
I'm just (I mean JUST) starting to make it as a jazz singer, so I don't
know if I'm the right one to give advice, but here goes:
(1) LISTEN to the great vocalists. Even though you're a male, most of the
great jazz vocalists of the past were female, and you can learn a lot. I
think that's partly because that was the only role in music allowed for
females in those days. You will see huge bands and small bands (black or
white) with all men except the vocalist. So the only thing a good
musician of the female type COULD do in those days was be a vocalist...
(2) Learn music theory! There is no substitute in jazz. You have to
learn to hear the chord changes, because you can never be sure who will
be played what behind you--but someone somewhere is likely to be playing
the root of the chord. Learn to sing the melody by practicing with ONLY
of the root of the chord (from the chart, that is "fake sheet"), or with
the root and the 7th. Be aware of what note in the chord the melody line
is, or whether the melody line is "passing tones", chromatic, or other
dissonances. Remember, the band will NOT be playing the melody.
(3) Go to jam sessions--observe the protocols. Some jam sessions don't
welcome vocalists. If they don't, find another, because you can bet if
they don't welcome vocalists they won't play well or sympathetically with
you.
(4) Be prepared. Know what song or songs you are going to call.
Remember, in a jam session they may have already just done what you
planned, so have a couple of backups. Make up your charts in the key YOU
want to sing. Don't depend on the band being able to transpose in all 12
keys. They're supposed to be able to, of course, but...
If you have time (or a computer), make up a chart for B-flat and E-flat
instruments also, not just the C chart.
Make your charts clear and legible (remember, it might be dark in the bar
or restaurant). Use 4 bars per line, make a note where the verse,
chorus, and bridge are, and if there is any tag or special ending where
that starts. If there is a "usual" jazz intro for a song (e.g., "All the
Things You Are", make sure you know it, because chances are the band will
play it.) If you want a different intro, say so, e.g., "give me a
four-bar vamp on B-flat."
All this should be obvious to good jazz musicians without your notes, but
it never hurts, and the players will respect you if you have a good chart
and give good instructions.
However, be careful how many instructions you give in a jam session. Keep
it pretty straight. When you have your own band in rehearsal, that is the
time for working out your own individual arrangements. In a jam session,
the players come to PLAY!
(5) Be able to count off the time. Count 1-2, 1-2-3-4. Make sure that
you know how to count off to get the tempo you want. Get the band's
attention, and be firm and accurate. If you are singing part of the song
"rubato", make sure your signals are clear. It's also helpful to tell the
band if you are going to tag the song, and if so, how many times.
(6) Remember that for better or worse, the vocalist is the leader. That
means you must signal to the band who and when to take solos. You
have to let the rhythm section know when you are taking a break. You
have to let the band know whether you are coming back in at the head or
the "B" section. And you have to PAY ATTENTION while the players are
taking their solos!! That is not the moment to let your mind wander until
it's your turn again--visualize that you are the conductor.
If you get lost, listen to the DRUMMER. You can tell where the head
section or B section ends, because the drummer will change his/her
pattern noticeably. Also, know ALWAYs where the 1 (one) of the bar is.
The drummer will play the 2 and 4 with the high-hat (usually), so that's
another clue.
(7) Learn scat singing even if you don't intend to use it (I don't use
it myself, but it's helped me TREMENDOUSLY in understanding the music).
(8) Although the usual karaoke tapes are OK, it's better to get the Jimmy
Abersold tapes/cd's. Get an issue of DOWNBEAT magazine, or if need be, I
can give you the info to order. For a while, stick to what's in the
jazz fake books or on those tapes. I once went in to a jam session with
"How Are Things in Glocca Morra," a beautiful song, and not particularly
difficult. But the piano player had never heard it, and even though he
was a good sight-reader, it was a DISASTER!
Good luck.
Rose