The Jazz Vocal Success Blueprint:
Your Comprehensive Guide To Fine Tuning Your Singing Skills And Mastering The Business Of Singing
The Jazz Bug ...
You love jazz, you love melody, you love the musical freedom that is jazz. The compositions, the lyrics, the melodies, the harmony, the rhythm, the messages.
You love the way singers interpret The Great American Songbook, The songs of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Thelonius Monk, Ornette Coleman, Carla Bley, Bessie Smith, Bobby Timmons, Dave Frishberg, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Abbey Lincoln, and so many other amazing writers of this music called jazz. Plus, you love Gregory Porter, Al Jarreau, Diana Krall, The Manhattan Transfer, Karrin Allyson, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Nancy King, Betty Carter, Flora Purim, Kurt Elling. You may be aware of Cyrille Aimee, Liz Wright, Samara Joy, Rene Marie, Fay Victor, and Beat Kalesti. Jazz is ever blooming, ever expanding, and ever evolving. Join the evolution and don't stand on the sidelines. Create! Create! Create!!!
Of all the music in the world, the jazz language is complex and layered. It's a lifelong musical study and once you have the bug, it never leaves you.
As singers, many of us have roles that are defined. We sing standards, or blues, or funk or be-bop. Most of all we sing feelings. Whether it's a little club or a big venue, our business is to present our music to people and have them walk away feeling inspired and connected to something special they just experienced through our music.
You could be a wild and crazy poet/singer, a lounge singer singing ballads, an elegant club singer, a hot jazz club singer, but the fundamental thing we do is be open to listening to to the people we are making music with and responding to what they are doing in the moment.
It's very different than commercial, pop or classical singing. Although of course, a singer is always responding to the musical environment, the actual basis of jazz is improvisation. That is what we do when we sing jazz, we are always shifting gears a bit, changing a phrase, listening for a chord or a note from one of the other musicians that opens up something new, and responding in the moment. All night long.
So interpreting a song in your own way, with your own voice, with your own style, is how you develop your unique sound. In jam sessions, on gigs, and at home when you are practicing, thinking, vocalizing, listening to tunes and thinking about how you will sing them, your arrangements. All this is the creative process that nurtures a jazz voice.
What books are you reading? Who are you listening to today? Are you thinking about a recording project? What is your concept? A lot to think about when you are in the creative mode.
Also, I must advocate for the political intelligence of jazz. Although most of the masters who originated this art form have left us, there is a substantial body of work created by jazz singers and instrumentalists that relflect and enlarge the scope of the lyrical and musical content in a collective culture of political and social struggle. The music is not all about roses, orchids, love stories, and glitter.
The economic, racial, and sexist struggles are real and deeply explored by many jazz artists.
Expand Your Musical Skills & Knowledge
REPERTOIRE SKILLS HISTORY
What kind of jazz music specifically do you love to sing? Does it suit your vocal instrument? How can you elevate your vocal technique? Have you listened to the artists who have gone before you in your style? What can you listen to that will broaden your ears? Check out new sounds and new singers!
GEAR VOCAL HEALTH MINDSET
Choosing the right mic, PA System, and monitors. What to take with you traveling. Important tips to keep your voice healthy and your body strong. Important ways to train your brain for success and bulletproofing your performance.
BUSINESS
How to get gigs and keep gigs. Making decisions on whether your dream is to have a recording career, a teaching career, a backround singer, a singer song/writer, a bandleader, or..... ?
Is your intention to get record deals or be an independent artist? Lots to consider and each goal has a different road to success.
FAQS
Here are a few questions, if you have a burning question not answered here, feel free to contact me DM in Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahjamesjazz
Q: I think this course is too expensive for me, why should I buy it?
A: This course is less than 2 in person vocal lessons. If you want to grow as an artist and musician you MUST invest in yourself and your education. This course will not replace an in person lesson, but it will prepare you for those lessons when you decide to invest in yourself that way.
Q: I prefer in person learning and am skeptical about online courses. What can you tell me that will make me change my mind?
A: Well, first of all, the best part of online learning is that you can access it any time. On your computer or mobile device, 24/7. This is a huge benefit, considering the issues with commuting, on the road, late at night, after regular hours etc. 2nd, you can listen/read the same content over and over to make sure you are understanding the material. 3rd, since there are so many links and examples in this course, you don't have to depend on your own note taking to highlight the topics you are most interested in. This alone is one of the big advantages to online learning.
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Q: If I have any questions how do I get in touch with you?
A: I am available on Zoom for in depth sessions, e-mail, and FB messenger. I usually return messages with 24 to 48 hours. You can DM me on FB or we can set up a Zoom call if you need an depth session. When you purchase the course, you will be on my mailing list, and you will be getting updates. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.
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Q. What is Mindset? Do you include Mindset Exercises in this course?
Everyone is talking about Mindset! But what exactly does it mean? The Oxford Dictionary defines "mindset" as: The established set of attitudes held by someone. There are 2 basic mindsets, growth and fixed.
A: Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: A growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. In contrast, a fixed mindset assumes that talent is innate and immutable.
Practicing with Persistence:
Singers with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities to improve. They are more likely to persist through difficult exercises and vocal drills, leading to better technique over time.
Embracing Feedback:
Constructive criticism is seen as a useful tool for growth rather than a personal attack. This openness to feedback can lead to more rapid and sustained improvement.
Mindset is a critical component in making the right musical and business decisions with your talent. I definitely include mindset awareness and implementation in "The Jazz Singers Vocal Success Blueprint"!
Q: I'm in school and will be taking jazz vocal ensemble and jazz history classes, won't this be the same thing?
A: No, it won't. Generally speaking in a jazz history class you will be studying many decades of jazz, many different instrumentalists and quite possible, be in a class that has a few hundred students. The history included in "The Jazz Singers Vocal Success Blueprint" is specific to singers, with info on the singing innovators and gives you direct links to the best examples of jazz singing to model, learn from and appreciate.
Q: Is this a coaching course?
A: Not really. It's a little coaching but mostly driven by practical skills and the nuts and bolts of singing for people in a professional manner.
The duration of a coaching engagement can vary based on individual goals and needs. Some clients find value in a few sessions focused on specific issues or challenges, while others may engage in longer-term coaching to achieve more substantial personal or professional transformations. Typically, a coaching relationship may last anywhere from a few months to a year or longer. It's essential to discuss your objectives and expectations with your coach to determine the best timeline for your coaching journey.
Q: I am really busy, will I have enough time to go thru all the modules and learn what I need to know. Also, is this course for beginners or advanced singers?
A: I've made this course universal in the sense that once you purchase it, it's your forever to keep. That way, whatever is going on in your life, you can always come back and check out a module that you need to focus on at that moment. The course is for both beginners and advanced singers. The health tips, the gear tips, the vocal warm ups, the extensive linking to classic repertoire is valuable for every level of singer, even professional. Life long learning is essential to keep things fresh and if something really interesting comes up, I will be adding more modules. Staying in the loop with singers is essential to expose yourself to new material, new repertoire, new arrangements, and inspiration from other singers who are "doing something".
[Once you've worked with GG on the objections or questions your clients may have, ask her for help drafting the answers to those questions!]
