Vocal Improv and Warm Ups for Jazz Singers

Ever wondered how vocalists improvise scat solos? Singer Marion Cowings will guide you through a series of warm ups, and then demonstrates how to use the words and melody of a song to inspire your improvised vocal solo!

Marion Cowings - Vocals
Eli Yamin - Piano
Eric Suquet - Director
Bill Thomas - Director of Photography
Richard Emery - Production Assistant
Seton Hawkins - Producer

[dmallett]

he's like a snazzy jazzy grandpa, I really enjoyed this

[AlohaPorta]

the face he makes before doing the lion is priceless.. that emotionless tired of life yet still sassy expression
"again... on three"

[shraddhapaimusic]

This idea of keeping communication with your audience intact through the scat bits - it's great, and one I find myself coming back to when I practice my solos. Thank you for that Mr Cowings - to be honest I haven't heard anyone scat that expressively before, but it sure would help an audience that isn't already elbow-deep in jazz.

[yvindkjlen]

I want a girlfriend that looks at me the same way Eli Yamin looks at Marion Cowings.

[Marshmallow_Trees]

Marion: Thank you...

Eli: 🎶🎵🎶

Marion: THANKS

[Lincoln_]

This man definitely is the coolest person in the entire World

[DeborahFoxx]

i was not expecting the tongue thing. lol

[creaonline]

Stay with someone who looks at you like Eli. 💗
I always go back to this video. Marion Cowings, you are such an inspiration. I wish I could just once be a part of your jazz clinics, have a great conversation with you.
For now, greetings from Chile. Please, come visit!

[danmcbmusic]

outside of the super cool and somewhat off-the-wall presentation, this dude has vocal and musical chops to die for. You do not get to sing like that by accident. Respect sir.

[jefflingyueyan]

I may be getting ahead of myself but that scatting tip felt like an instant cheat code! I always had the hardest time trying to scat with the “fitting” syllables and not sound like a 5 yr old… amazing how this is really just changing your mindset and does wonders!

[ArthurKaletzky]

"You took apart what once was my heart"

[andretsang]

This is the kind of thing I'd expect to find in a New Orleans coffee shop, small business, of course, on a cool summer day. It's great, keep up the good work!!

[zenamerica]

I mean, cmon. That was like watching perfection show you the recipe to how perfection is made. There are so many layer of maestro at work there. No doubt these videos will one day find their way into the National Archives. Marion Cowings deserves special recognition as a cultural bridge between generations and styles that will otherwise be forgotten and untold. He is a National Treasure & deserves the distinction.

[l.harrison]

Marion does weekly vocal clinics at Small's jazz club- see live stream online, along with Mezzrow's. Love the idea of singing II-V's creatively instead of just scales to warm-up. Warning: do not do the Lion pose without using a Tongue-Scraper first!!

[LEKA_레카]

This is so impressive.. I draw for living and his advice is useful even for making art pieces.

Thank you for sharing...I have been taking singing lessons since the summer of 2010 here in the Netherlands and singing old Jazz songs at a local theater, love it...but still learning to improve my voice...

[Prospermiinow]

Thank you so very much Marion Cowings. Your explanations make it all so clear. Thank you Eli Yamin for showing inexperienced pianist how one should move with and support the movement of the vocalist. Thank you to those responsible for this series being made available. Thank you.

[linasalamanca]

Omg, I want his voice by my side the rest of the days of my life

[andreluisalves]

Man, I just can't stop hearing you over and over again... Oh, if I could sing the same...

[CarolineVesper]

the most amazing thing i've seen in months, love the last part, it helped me so much thank you!