“I have such a ball in my classes, and I learn so much from my students. They probably don’t realize that I come to school here, too. I’m just the oldest member of the class. I just wish everyone could experience the blessing of learning new things all the time.” Barry Harris
This 84-minute instructional tool is packed with practical tips for vocalists at all levels. The ‘clinic’ setting allows you to join in the lesson. Key aspects of jazz singing including rhythm, scales, and the ability to hear chord changes are covered in depth.
Led by jazz legend, Dr. Barry Harris, the video documents a small vocal class being instructed in rhythm, phrasing, vocal warm-ups, leading a rhythm section, and outlining key harmonic progressions.
The accompanying 50-page workbook provides a transcription of the exercises and songs presented in the video along with additional explanations.
Recommended for all levels, the Barry Harris Vocal Workshop will stretch even the most experienced vocalist, not by teaching you neat tricks but by deepening your understanding of and appreciation for the jazz tradition.
Program Highlights:
- Rhythmic and phrasing exercises
- Warm-ups, chord and scale exercises
- Application of the examples to many different jazz standards
- How to use ‘Rubato’ time
- Using the chords to outline the harmony
- Rhythmic tools that help the singer make it seem like they are ‘making up the song’ as they sing it
- All musical examples in the video are keyed for quick referencing in the workbook
About Barry Harris
“A list of Harris’ graduates reads like a Who’s Who of Jazz; among them are Paul Chambers, Curtis Fuller, Joe Henderson, Lonnie Hillyer, Yusef Lateef, Hugh Lawson, Kirk Lightsey, Charles McPherson, and Doug Watkins.” “Harris’ (method) is unique in both its emphasis and detail, for it teaches students precisely how to transform the (basic theoretical) elements into credible phrases and focuses as much upon the creative processes of improvisation as upon its products, effectively clarifying the relationship between theory and performance practice in the jazz tradition.” “Harris’ theory is an expansive generative method. It encourages musicians to create original phrases based, in part, on the cross-fertilization of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic models embodied in the rules Harris promulgates.”
Excerpts from ‘Thinking in Jazz’, by Paul F. Berliner, University of Chicago Press 1994
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