Becoming a jazz singer marries historical knowledge with personal expression. It demands more than a good voice; it requires discipline and continuous learning to navigate the complex language of jazz. The goal is not just hitting the right notes, but conveying a story and connecting with a celebrated musical tradition.
Immerse Yourself in the Genre
The foundational step to becoming a jazz singer is deep, active listening. To authentically interpret this music, you must absorb its language and emotional depth by studying the masters who defined the art form. Analyzing their work builds an intuitive understanding of what makes a performance compelling.
Explore the recordings of foundational artists. Listen to Ella Fitzgerald for her pitch and joyful scatting, and Sarah Vaughan for her vast range and operatic control. Study Billie Holiday to understand how to convey emotion, and Chet Baker for his understated, cool phrasing. Focus on their interpretation of melodies, rhythmic feel, and how they use their vocal qualities to serve the song.
This deep listening will lead you to the Great American Songbook, the repertoire for any aspiring jazz vocalist. This canon consists of popular songs and show tunes from the early 20th century by composers like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin. These songs provide the material for you to develop your own voice within the tradition.
Master the Essential Vocal Techniques
Jazz singing is defined by vocal skills that separate it from other genres. These techniques are the tools a singer uses to interact with the band, interpret the song, and express a personal musical perspective. Mastering these elements allows the voice to function as a jazz instrument, with flexibility similar to a saxophone or piano.
Phrasing
Jazz phrasing is conversational and relaxed. A technique is “back-phrasing,” where the singer intentionally delays the melody, singing slightly behind the beat. This creates tension and release for a laid-back, swinging feel. To practice, learn a melody as written, then experiment with starting phrases later while maintaining the underlying pulse.
Improvisation and Scatting
Improvisation is creating new melodies on the spot, and its most iconic vocal form is scatting. Scatting is wordless vocalizing using nonsense syllables to mimic an instrumental solo. Beginners can start by imitating simple instrumental solos to develop a feel for the language without the pressure of inventing original lines. This involves using the lips and tongue to articulate rhythms and create a spontaneous musical narrative.
Timbre and Tone
Unlike classical or pop music, jazz celebrates unique vocal character. Timbre, the specific color of your voice, is part of your artistic identity. Develop your jazz timbre by experimenting with vowel sounds, breath control, and resonance to create an expressive and personal sound. The goal is finding an honest tone that can convey a wide range of emotions.
Rhythmic Interpretation
The rhythmic feel of “swing” is a foundation of jazz. For a vocalist, this means internalizing the triplet-based subdivision of the beat that gives the music its forward momentum. To develop this feel, sing along with recordings, focusing on how musicians place their notes in relation to the beat. Emphasizing the off-beats (beats 2 and 4 in a 4/4 measure) will help infuse your singing with an authentic swing feel.
Develop Your Craft Through Practice
Structured and consistent practice is required to move from understanding jazz concepts to executing them. This involves vocal exercises and applying techniques to a growing list of songs. This effort builds the confidence needed to perform with other musicians.
Finding a vocal coach who specializes in jazz is a valuable step. A jazz-specific instructor can provide targeted feedback on phrasing, improvisation, and style unique to the genre. They can help you develop healthy vocal habits, expand your range, and guide you through performance nuances that are difficult to learn from recordings alone.
You must also begin building a personal repertoire book. Start with five to ten standards that cover a range of styles, such as a medium-tempo swing, a slow ballad, and a bossa nova. Learn these tunes completely, including the melody, lyrics, and basic chord structure.
Modern tools can enhance your practice. Applications like iReal Pro provide customizable backing tracks for thousands of standards, letting you change the tempo and key. Jamey Aebersold’s play-along recordings offer tracks from professional musicians. These resources simulate singing with a live rhythm section, helping you internalize song forms and practice improvisation.
Gain Experience and Collaborate
After private practice, apply your skills in a live setting with other musicians. Collaboration teaches you to listen, react, and contribute to a collective performance in real time. This is a skill that cannot be fully developed in isolation.
The local jazz jam session is a training ground for this experience. These events are for musicians to meet, play standard tunes, and hone their interactive skills in a low-stakes environment. Attending a jam session allows you to test your repertoire, practice communicating with a rhythm section, and gain experience performing for an audience.
Understanding jam session etiquette is necessary for success. Be prepared with a few songs you know well, and bring lead sheets in your preferred key for the accompanists. When it’s your turn, clearly state the tune’s name and key. Keep your solos concise—one or two choruses are standard—to respect other musicians. An important rule is to listen to the other soloists and how the rhythm section is interacting.
Build Your Professional Career
Turning your passion for jazz into a profession requires business and promotional strategies. Moving from jam sessions to paid gigs involves presenting yourself as a professional artist. This means creating materials that communicate your talent and brand to those who hire musicians.
The first step is to create a professional promotional package, most commonly an Electronic Press Kit (EPK). An EPK is your digital resume and should be easily accessible as a page on a personal website. It should include:
- A professional headshot
- A concise and engaging biography
- Links to high-quality demo recordings that showcase your voice and style
- Links to your social media and any videos of live performances
- Your contact information
With your EPK ready, seek out performance opportunities. Approach venues that feature live music, such as local restaurants, hotels, and wine bars, which are often more accessible than dedicated jazz clubs for a first gig. Private events like weddings and corporate functions are another market for jazz musicians. Networking with event planners and other musicians can lead to these engagements. You may play for less money at first, but the experience is valuable for building your reputation.