Jazz

Jazz

1. Sound/quality of vocal

   • Vibrato used on vocals which add to the rhythm of the song and help sustain long held notes, whilst adding colour and dexterity to the tone of the voice.
     • "What Is This Thing Called Love" - Ella Fitzgerald (Disc 3, Track 7)
   • Husky tones that incorporate falsetto into the quality of the voice. This creates a relaxed groove to the music.
     • "What A Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong (Disc 3, Track 8)
   • Smooth, effortless vocals that glide over the notes, using low effort tilt so that the quality almost sounds like speech.
     • "Smile" - Nat King Cole (Disc 3, Track 9)
   • Strong support that allows for quick changes from supported speech to low larynx. The changes can be kept subtle, with strong muscle control to keep the dynamics level.
     • "One For My Baby" - Dianne Reeves (Disc 3, Track 6)

2. Rhythm and phrasing of lyric and melody

   • Rhythm of lyrics speed up and slow down, giving a fluid movement that keeps changing shape but stays accurate in note placement and control.
     • "Save Your Love For Me" - Nancy Wilson (Disc 3, Track 10)
   • Mixed phrasing on words to stress a faster rhythm over the walking beat played by the instruments.
     • "Moonlight Serenade" - Kurt Elling (Disc 3, Track 11)
   • Long notes held followed by a quick lyrical phrase. This gives the melody more space to weave, and this gives the sensation that the rhythm is slowing down and picking back up again.
     • "Bye Bye Blackbird" - Etta James (2:30-2:40) (Disc 3, Track 12)
   • Rhythm of the melody and lyrics and sit just behind the beat, giving it a different feel, that sounds more punctuated.
     • "My Baby Just Cares For Me" - Nina Simone (0:00-0:25) (Disc 3, Track 13)

3. Use of dynamic

   • Dynamics can be kept suppressed with not much movement. This creates an intimate sound.
     • "My Funny Valentine" - Chet Baker (Disc 3, Track 14)
   • Dynamics swell for certain phrases, with strong control to keep them steady and the pitching of notes accurate. The subtle changes of dynamics create the passionate tones, whilst still sounding relaxed and easy.
     • "All Of Me" - Billie Holiday (1:47-2:22) (Disc 3, Track 15)

4. Techniques and stylistics utilised when improvising

   • Improvisation can have a laid back tone with slides and slurred words. It is still supported and controlled though, to keep the tuning correct.
     • "Whatever Lola Wants" - Sarah Vaughan (2:14-2:31) (Disc 3, Track 16)
   • Focus on vowel shapes, such as "ma", "ba", "de". These shapes allow for quick movement. One note can also be the focus for the improvisation, with the notes moving around it in quick steps up and down in an exploration of the vocal range, but always returning to it as an anchor point.
     • "Feeling Good" - Nina Simone (2:18-2:41) (Disc 3, Track 17)