Tips For Jazz Singers

TIPS FOR JAZZ SINGERS

by Ken Eden

Many jazz singers desire a vibrato in their voice because it lends a distinctive quality. The question is, if you do' not have it naturally-can it be acquired? If so, how is it controlled and what areas of the "vocal apparatus" does     it use?  Well, it can be a difficult quality to master. As a matter of fact, there is a lot of controversy over what it even is exactly and why it even exists! Let us at least tell you what we know about it:

VIBRATO

Vibrato is a vocal tone that has an even fluctuation. The diaphragm is involved in some way,but we are not sure how. You can expel the breath from the diaphragm forcibly,and you can influence the throat and mouth opening too to sort of "fake it". It is really quite difficult to describe.
We feel,however,that force is never good,or any kind of manipulation which,invariably,will lead to excessive straining of the voice.Many rock singers know this to their cost! What we want to see ideally is freedom of voice-focussed and clear- which will have, inherently, the minor vocal fluctuation which gives automatically,a slight vibrato.

 NATURAL

The way to get vibrato is to learn natural singing techniques which will not push your voice too much,and which focusses more on tone and control than power. We need to explain that what some call "vibrato" is in fact really a "tremolo,"which comes from forcing the voice,and feels and sounds totally unnatural.

BREATHING

If you,as a student of singing really desire a beautiful vibrato,all you need do is focus on getting control of your voice,which can only come from much practice under the tutelage of a qualified vocal coach. Listen to the vibrato in,for example the voice of Sinatra. He was taught the Italian Bel-Canto method,which concentrates on tonal quality more than power.
The major areas that need your attention are; Correct breathing,coupled with Tonal quality (resonance training--humming.. scales etc...) and diaphragmatic support.

BILLY ECKSTINE

All this may sound daunting when you read it in cold print,but the truth is it is easy and even fun when you have training and support.   A trick I myself learned from a master  jazz singer,the late Billy Eckstine,is as he put it, 'focus as you sing- on the waist area-where you would wear a belt.' It seems bizarre,but by doing so,I found more vibrato on extended notes! Try it yourself.

TRAINING

My final piece of advice is; whatever you do, get solid training in voice production from some who are themselves quality singers. It might seem obvious,but many poor or even non-singing "tutors" are out to snare the unwary.I would call that "the blind leading the blind"!