Vocal Improvisation in Music Therap ... Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy 3. LISTEN AND EXPERIMENT • Popular songs are known song forms, that provide intact chord progressions,

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

Sharon R. Boyle

“Improvisation – the unplanned, spontaneous expression of music –

allows for the opportunity to be creative and productive and to gain a

sense of enhancement, even in the face of physical deterioration”

(Turry & Turry, 1999, p. 167).

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

1. LISTEN –

•  Listen to all styles of music and tune in to listening for the rhythm, phrasing, qualities of voices, and the various vocal expressions of feelings.

•  Listen to the bass line, along with chord progression, until you can predict where the song is going with its progression. This helps guide how a melody fits in and should progress.

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

2. KNOW YOUR VOICE – •  Sing. Vocalize. Vocally play. Only by doing these things often will you

then be free to do so in a music therapy session. •  Explore your vocal range, discover how many different sounds you can

produce. Own the fact that your voice is as unique as your fingerprint.

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

3. LISTEN AND EXPERIMENT

•  Popular songs are known song forms, that provide intact chord progressions, and many allow space to improvise, but then return to the existing melody/song, creating safety and parameters for the experience.

•  Start with a favorite song recording. After listening, allow yourself to try singing harmony by ear, particularly with the most known parts of the song (such as a chorus section). Move from harmony to “filling in” sounds in the spaces of music.

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

LISTEN AND EXPERIMENT (continued)-

•  Try call-and-response songs that are popular in social settings where the entire audience responds by filling in vocals, or finishing a phrase.

•  Try looping the same chord progression repeatedly and then vocalize freely over it, or use specific phrases.

•  Try not to ‘overthink’ or analyze what you are singing. Overthinking creates “blocks” to improvising. Listening is essential. Trust and allow your voice and ear to lead.

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

LISTEN AND EXPERIMENT (continued)-

•  Explore a scale within a chord structure. •  Choose one sound and express it in different ways using varied tones,

rhythms, timbres, accents. •  Move from high rhythm activity to long phrasing or sustained tones •  Be playful (animal sounds, drop offs, glissandos, etc.).

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

LISTEN AND EXPERIMENT (continued)-

•  If you become frustrated or are thinking too hard, then go back to the chorus or some known aspect of song.

•  In order to improvise, you need to be listening. Not only during the act of improvisation, but as part of your routine.

•  Listen to a variety of styles and genres, and try to develop your ear for predicting chord progressions and melodic lines.

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

LISTEN AND EXPERIMENT (continued)-

•  A looping and repetitive chord progression (does not have to be I-IV-V, just something that can loop).

•  Typically a song with a very concrete and strong chorus. The chorus can become the “home base” as well as the structure for the vocal improvisation.

•  Slower songs are easiest to start with, but upbeat songs can also be used.

•  Look for simple song form (e.g. Refrain-Chorus-Refrain). •  If a song has a natural fade-out ending, this can be a great place to

improvise or add some new vocal idea.

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

4. IMPROVISE WITH OTHERS –

•  Take opportunities to vocally improvise with others. Improvise with other music therapy students, or friends and family. Use a rhythmic phrase someone speaks and start singing based on the rhythm of the words. If someone expresses something like “Watch out!”, use the inflection and phrase to develop a vocal improvisation. Add a vocal bass line, or a melodic phrase, and encourage others to join in. Not only will your skills improve, but you’ll learn to find enjoyment in the spontaneity which will ultimately translate to your clients.

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

IMPROVISE WITH OTHERS (continued)–

●  Play vocal games with others such as: ○  Shoop-dee-doo (50’s progression. Try C-am-F-G, triplet feel with a

bass run leading back to tonic). ○  Swingin’ Pentatonic (E-D-C-A-G-A-C) ○  Vocal telephone (one person makes a sound, the next person varies

it, and so on around a circle; or make it cumulative where each person adds a sound to the original one).

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

IMPROVISE WITH OTHERS (continued)–

•  Partner songs (increase focus and ear by putting together two familiar songs simultaneously. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” + “Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be”; “Swing Low” + “All Through the Night”; “I’ll Fly Away” + “Sweet By and By.”

•  Salad Songs (e.g. one person chooses a favorite fruit, speak/chant/sing word of fruit using rhythm, accent, melodic elements, then each person adds on to combine sounds…).

•  Create a song (spot song) using a phrase that pops up in conversation.

Vocal Improvisation in Music Therapy

5. ACCEPT WHERE YOU ARE– •  This simply means that you will feel exposed or vulnerable, especially as

you begin. Remember that vocal improvisation is not about a finished product or “perfection” (as it never is), but rather about becoming free with your voice – and ultimately, about being okay with whatever comes out. Eventually, enjoyment will come along with your ability to utilize this aspect into sessions as a music therapist, so send your inner judges and negative self-talk (Ristad, 1981) packing and just experience it.

•  An important part of improvising across the board is just developing

connection with your body, breath, and allowing yourself to take risks.

References

Ristad, E. (1981). A soprano on her head: Right-side-up reflections on life and other performances. Moab, UT: Real People.

Turry, A. & Turry, A. E. (1999). Creative song improvisations with children and adults with cancer. In C. Dileo (Ed.), Music therapy & medicine: Theoretical and clinical applications (pp. 167-178). Silver Spring, MD: American Music Therapy Association.