To thrive as a well-rounded vocalist, you need more than a great voice; you also need to understand the mechanics of contemporary music. This certificate program offers music theory (intervals, scales, harmony, etc.), ear training (time, rhythm, pitch using the solfege method, etc.), and voice studies (breath, technique, vocal care, etc.)—all knowledge that is tailored to you as a vocalist. With a strong awareness of what is happening in the music that you hear, write, and/or sing, you’ll be able to stand out as a more confident and capable musician and vocal performer.
Apply the unique vocal characteristics of great jazz singers such as Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn into your own sound. Understand proper jazz vocal delivery in a number of tempos and gain confidence singing an array of jazz standards in a live or recorded context.
Make your voice sound more powerful, use vocal technique to expand your range and expression, and learn to become more confident in vocal performances.
Learn the art of jazz vocal improvisation! This book will help you hear, understand and apply jazz theory so that you can solo as a complete musician—in the same way that instrumentalists do. Each lesson offers a core musical concept related to harmony, melody, and rhythm, integrating skills such as conducting and analysis. All concepts are reinforced with practical exercises. The accompanying audio tracks demonstrate techniques and let you practice improvising along with a piano accompaniment.
You will learn to:
“Mili Bermejo’s Vocal Jazz Improvisation is the most comprehensive vocal book I have ever seen on improvisation. Her years of research and her wisdom and artistry leave no stones unturned. I would recommend this book to instrumentalists as well, to develop their ears and breadth of expression.”
—Jerry Bergonzi, Jazz Saxophonist, Composer, Author, Educator
“I have been a huge fan of Mili as an artist for many years now, and have admired her impeccable skills as a teacher for just as long. Seeing Mili perform in duo with Dan Greenspan is one of the great wonders of the world. They make voice and bass seem like an orchestra, harmonically rich and complete, and emotionally compelling. How lucky for us that Mili has written a book on improvisation from her own assured and gracious vantage point. Her approach is accessible, organic, personal, and best of all, inspiring! She takes the fear factor out and provides tools to make improvisation a truly creative and joyful experience.”
—Peter Eldridge, Jazz Singer, Pianist, Composer (New York Voices)
“Creating awareness is at the core of this beautiful material that was very much needed in the vocal jazz field. Here is a book with clever, effectively organized information for all vocalists to develop a practical framework that covers the foundation to find confidence, strength and ultimately freedom as a vocal improviser.
Mili’s music speaks to the heart, overflowing with humanity, joy, and compassion, and this book does the same. Mili traces a clear path, guiding us step by step along the way. She draws on her own experience, which I must say reflects all vocalists’ experience, as we walk this fascinating journey of jazz singing.”
—Magos Herrera, GRAMMY-nominated Jazz Singer
“How lucky for all of us that Mili Bermejo put her decades of experience and skill as both performer and teacher into this book. What a gift! Thank you, Mili.”
—Tierney Sutton, Multi-GRAMMY Nominated Jazz Singer
Mili Bermejo (1952–2017) merged the language of jazz with the emotionally resonant poetry and musical traditions of her Latin American…