MUSI 1306 MUSIC APPRECIATION
Dr. Oscar Dressler, DMA – Professor of Music
Musical activity 10: Scat Singing
Click on the youtube link provided in the lesson page and listen to Ella Fitzgerald’s performance. Then
complete this musical activity 7. Save it to your computer as a WORD DOCUMENT and then upload it as
such and send it.
Scat singing
is a jazz singing technique that allows the singer to use onomatopoeia (syllables da, ma, pa,
do, etc) to improvise melodic lines while singing. It was introduced in jazz by Louis Armstrong. Ella
Fitzgerald’s legendary performance shows her unique approach to scat singing and her amazing musical
gift for expressing the improvisatory jazzy singing style that made her so famous in the world.
Write your impressions on her rendition of the piece that you just watched and listened in the youtube
link in the lesson page. Describe her interaction with the musicians accompanying her; do you hear any
familiar tunes in her improvisation? Address all this in your written reaction below. No specific length
required for your work.
The performance of this piece is excellent, in my opinion. Ella Fitzgerald is a unique artist who can lift
anyone's spirits and truly light up the room with her voice. Her enthusiasm highlights her amazing voice,
which she maintains throughout the entire performance. I appreciate how she emphasizes her
straightforward vocal style with onomatopoeias while including some subtle changes with the musician’s
playing accompaniment. Scat singing mixed with word singing is a reason why I enjoy the way this song
has been performed. With a beautiful voice, Ella Fitzgerald is frequently referred to as the "Queen of
Jazz." Jazz was meant for her! She coordinated excellently with the musician. With the guitarist
performing the full piece, it is a wonderful match for the music. Despite my first doubts regarding the
scat singing, I am quite amazed.
