New vocal Jazz classes with Miz Markley

A weekly workshop strictly for vocalists who want to up their game in improvisation (as well as ear-training, sight singing, and chord theory).

The weekly workshop will meet at my house on Saturdays 1-3pm, and a second section on Mondays 5:30-7:30pm.

Classes beginning in September.

Cost: $15 per class

(classes will be limited to 9 students each).

 

Every week we’ll:

*work the melody, and the chord changes on a song from the American Songbook.

*learn to hear the parts of the chords.

We’ll practice singing and hearing the chords, with a focus on the thirds and sevenths.

*incorporate ii-Vs, modes, and “enclosures” into our basic vocal warm-ups.

*practice reading, writing, and singing a new rhythmic motif, beginning with basic swing rhythms.

*improvise–with scat syllables AND with lyric.

 

The voice, by its very nature, is an instrument that we use (from birth) without having to read or write.

But in music, as the songs become more complex, the ability to read, write, and to understand what one is hearing (and singing) is crucial, especially as a vocalist begins to work with bands.

 

The singer’s journey is a vulnerable one. Unlike instrumentalists who play precisely pitched instruments (piano, saxophone, etc), we cannot sing what we cannot hear. It’s not enough to “know the name” of of a given note, we must understand the note in context of the melody and the harmony, so that we can hear the note in our mind (“audiate”) before we sing it.

 

All of this takes time and practice. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, lose patience, and give up.

As both a vocalist and a horn player, I truly understand this journey.

 

Often, I have found that the advanced teachers are not comfortable breaking things down for the beginner, whereas, the beginner is my specialty.

I have over 30 years experience teaching beginners to sight sing, to sing in tune, and to hold harmony. I create a safe space for my students to make mistakes and try again. I can break things down in a way that the beginner can understand.

 

Student requirements:

*Ages 16 and beyond

*Must be able to match pitch

(if the student cannot yet match pitch, then they can take private lessons with me until they are able to match pitch, then they can join the workshop).

Lisa’s Resume:

*Bachelor of Music Composition North Texas State University/University of North Texas. (Played trombone in the Lab Bands, and sang in the Jazz Singers).

*Graduate work in vocal jazz, and pedagogy at University of North Texas (sang in top vocal jazz group UNT Jazz Singers).

*Certified Level 1 in Orff, and Kodaly teaching methods.

*17 years Kinder-8th grade music teacher

*30+ years private music instructor (piano, guitar, voice, and composition/song-writing).

*30+ years performing and recording artist, (in jazz and “singer-songwriter” genres)