Vocal Jazz 101:
How to Sing a Jazz Song: Getting Started
In this lesson, we explore how to learn a jazz standard together. We chose the tune “Summertime,” by George Gershwin because it is a widely known standard frequently performed in jam sessions and concert halls alike!
Steps:
Choose a song from the Great American Songbook, otherwise known as a “jazz standard.” You can find many examples of tunes in lead sheet books/compilations, or simply by listening to any jazz singer, especially those from the classic swing era, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan or Billie Holiday.
Finding a lead sheet of the tune can be helpful for many singers. A lead sheet is a roadmap of a tune that gives musicians the melody, harmony (chords you hear behind you), and sometimes the lyrics. We’ve chosen the tune Summertime, and attached a high voice lead sheet (in G minor) and a low voice lead sheet (in C minor.)
Listen to recordings and the video of Rachel singing the tune as you look at the lead sheet. Notice where there’s similarities in the melody and when there’s smaller and bigger intervals (steps or leaps) in the written melody. As quickly as you can, start to sing along and explore the melody using your ear and voice together. Eventually, try to sing it alone without any audio to see how well you know it!
Want to send this video to your students? Use this link: https://youtu.be/O9mjIFX-xOA