Jazz vocal improvisation
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- Course Code: MF669
- Dates: 20/07/24 - 20/07/24
- Time: 11:00 - 16:00
- Taught: Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Clare Foster
Course Code: MF669
Choose a start date
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Develop approaches to improvising with jazz tunes and singing over standard chord sequences. There will be practice in class to build your improvising confidence and expertise.
What will we cover?
- Some standard chord changes.
- Developing your ear and understanding of jazz harmony, time feel and rhythm.
- Learning sample patterns and melodies (this will involve reading notation as well as working by ear).
- Applying the principles of improvising to your interpretation of jazz melodies.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- have a sense of know-how and confidence
- get constructive feedback on your efforts
- enjoy being adventurous in a supportive group of musicians.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should be accustomed to singing in the jazz idiom, and will need a good standard of musicianship: sensitivity to time and feel; the ability to follow (and keep up with) a chord progression; and an understanding of technical terms and matters (e.g. major/minor scale, Latin feel).
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Vocal and physical warm up. Some listening to recordings and some discussion, but mostly demonstration and practical involvement in group singing tasks and solo efforts.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Lead sheets will be provided. A machine to record parts of the class would be useful.
Clare Foster is a vocalist, lyricist, composer and educator. Born in England, she has studied and worked in New York, Holland, Canada, England and in many countries in Europe and Asia. She has taught at the City Lit for over twenty years, and has also taught at Morley College, Trinity College of Music and in a Finnish conservatoire. In 2017 Clare trained on a Bangor University course to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MSBR). She uses many of these techniques in her current classes and has designed a mindfulness course tailored to singers. Her interests lie in how the psyche impacts on the voice. She specialises in Jazz and Brazilian music repertoire and vocal approach and also teaches on a one-to-one basis in London.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
