Step into Real Confidence when you Improvise with Your Voice . . . (berkeley)
offered in person
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This skill-building vocal improvisation workshop will make you more expressive, more
in-the-moment, and more risk-taking. And it will take the guesswork out of improvising,
no matter if you're a beginner or an experienced vocalist. You'll get lot's of new approaches
& techniques *and their musical vocabulary* so you can apply each of them in any situation.
We'll also draw on traditions from Brasil, Afro-Cuba,West-Africa, Harlem, Detroit & Rome
for depth and inspiration.
Held in a super resonant space that’s ideal for unamplified singing with live percussion,
keyboard & Indian drone to help guide you. Hand-outs & resources come with every session.
April 17th — Rhythm
(swing vs. even 1/8 feel, sub-pulse, entrances that propel, tonal vocal percussion) May 1st — Melody
(step vs. leap, scale & phrasing options, scatting, why dynamics & register matter) May 8th — Harmony
(one-to-one vs. independent lines, hearing key centers, major minor 'other')
Friday nights 6:45-9:00
Pre-paid series $120 / Drop-in $45 per session cash or PayPal / email for location
Michael Smolens has taught improvisation to vocalists for over five decades in a
wide variety of settings, and has performed or recorded vocally with Bobby McFerrin
collaborators Rhiannon, Dave Worm & Bryan Dyer along with Claudia Schmidt,
Pollyanna Bush & Raz Kennedy. His instrumental credits include Stefon Harris,
Paul McCandless, Zakir Hussain, David Balakrishnan, & Akira Tana.