Exposition

The Importance of Rhythm in Jazz Voice Phrasing and Improvisation (2019)

Anna Barbara Koziel

About this exposition

Practising irregular meters proved very effective in broadening the variety of rhythmic choices available when rephrasing an existing song or creating an improvisation. It also increased rhythmic security in interactions between the vocalist and the rest of the band in unpredictable situations. Providing that there is a strong integration of the body as the source of the core rhythm (groove) with the voice as the source of the sound, I found that a vocalist could achieve rhythmic freedom and spontaneity in performance in a relatively short period of time. Playing small percussion instruments such as shaker, guiro or cowbell also proved very helpful in developing rhythmic awareness, and moreover, when used on stage they create an additional texture in the sound of the whole band. Bigger instruments such as handpan, congas and djembe, demand more physical engagement, and might affect the fluency of the vocal lines and one's concentration on the main instrument. Practising these can take a lot more time, as they require a high level of fitness, and should be a conscious choice—a choice thus recommended only for vocalists who are aware of these demands.
typeresearch exposition
keywordsResearch by teachers of the Royal Conservatoire
date13/05/2018
published26/09/2019
last modified26/09/2019
statuslimited publication
share statusprivate
licenseAll rights reserved
urlhttps://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/300832/467094
published inKC Research Portal
portal issue3. Internal publication


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