Have you ever done vocal improv? Just making sounds and rhythms
with your voice? It is so fun! Recently ten of us got together for a VOICE
JAM here at my house. We started out doing 'unison' rhythms, then as
everyone got comfort-able and more brave, we opened it up to just jamming with
our voices.
I'd throw out a suggestion like 'Brazilian,' then start with a
vocal rhythm and the jam grew and evolved into a very cool mix of rhythms and
African sounding chants. This went on for two hours as we emulated various
instruments and musical styles.
When you're doing a vocal jam like this, it's crucial to LISTEN
to each other. You'll hear a line, sound or rhythm, pick it up or add to it. It
really is a communal endeavor and a great team builder. Throughout each improv
we'd swell together, come down, and just flow with the song we were creating.
It was very organic!
We did some straight 'toning' where we sounded long vowel
sounds. I encour-aged all the participants to find their own tonalities, and it created some
fantastic overtones and harmonies. I coined a phrase that fit perfectly to the
interweaving tones: A SOUND SANDWICH! Bear in mind that this had nothing to do
with Voice Jam....har har; a sound sandwich with voice jam. hmmmmm.
This kind of vocal improv helps singers get free
of convention, allowing them to jump into their structured music with
innovation and the ability to scat or do riffs without fear. After the Voice
Jam, we all sang a bit, and we all tried new approaches with our voices with bravery and confidence. It's a great way to loosen up and start stretching
out as a singer.
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| Voice jam? |
