Singing the Standards

Singing the Standards is a style survey,
repertoire, and performance course introducing the
vocal technique and delivery of jazz singing. The
course will focus on listening and style analysis
of recordings, videos, and assigned student
participation performances. In addition to
analyzing the form, arrangements, chords changes,
and bass lines of several jazz standards, this
course will mainly focus on the interpretive and
improvisatory elements of jazz singing. Topics
will include phrasing, tone, timbre, rhythmic
variations, melodic development, vowel production,
resonance and how apply these to other
contemporary repertoire. Students will learn to
distinguish vocal characteristics of several
artists such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie
Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah
Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Anita O'Day, Carmen
McRae, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, Joao
Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto, Lambert, Hendricks, &
Ross, Betty Carter, Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin,
and representative contemporary artists. The
social, political, and cultural aspects of the
music will be discussed in relation to the course
material. Students will be asked to perform
weekly.