Jazz Improvisation: The Voice Teacher's Challenge

This chapter discusses the difficulties singing teachers face in addressing one of the most cognitively complex musical skills. It presents six key learning areas for vocalists that were uncovered during the author’s journey as a student, teacher and researcher of improvisation. This personal experience is combined with a discussion of recent literature and current data gathered from a landmark survey of Australian jazz performers. By addressing fear, engaging referents, fostering an ideas bank, developing a scat syllable vocabulary, redefining the vocalist’s role and simply practising improvising, a framework is established for a well rounded and effective curriculum. The key learning areas blend tried and tested methods of teaching instrumentalists with insight into the unique characteristics of singers. Examples of teaching strategies given in the chapter provide more detailed direction for those choosing this path. In all, a balanced examination of curriculum and strategies provides valuable tools and structure for voice teachers to address boldly the challenge of jazz improvisation