Sing soul and blues

About this course

The course develops vocal and musical skills through warm-ups, breathing work, technical exercises and the study of classic soul and blues songs. Learners explore lyrics, rhythm, phrasing, arrangements and harmony, working with a piano accompanist and preparing songs for both solo and group singing. Teaching includes song sharing, listening exercises, constructive feedback and improvisation over a blues sequence. The course also covers practical performance processes such as counting in, interpreting songs and maintaining them in performance.

What you'll learn

• Perform selected soul and blues repertoire in solo and group settings
• Interpret lyrics and make musical choices within a song
• Improvise over a blues sequence
• Apply rhythm, phrasing, arrangement and harmony concepts to songs
• Prepare songs for performance and identify effective ways to practise
• Collaborate with a piano accompanist during song work

Is this course right for you?

This is an open-level class for singers with varied experience and training, but it is not suitable for absolute beginners. Prior vocal or musical training is described as advantageous. Participation includes singing in a group and solo, listening to others, and giving and receiving constructive criticism.

• An interest in the soul and blues idiom is expected
• Prior vocal or musical training may be advantageous
• The course involves constructive feedback between learners

Before you go

• Music materials are supplied.
• Learners may record parts of sessions with the tutor's permission.