Vocal Sketch

Join us as we explore the vast array of sounds that our mouths are capable of making. Learning to trust our impulses and hone our ears through games designed to play with rhythm, harmony, melody, sound effects and words to make music together freely and spontaneously.

In this workshop we’ll be demonstrating that these two artforms are not only compatible, but inextricably linked by the unique instrument that we are all born with. By combining beatboxing and singing we are expanding our toolkit of sounds so we can produce improvised music that is dynamic and playful.

BEATBOXING is the art of mouth percussion involving the use of the lips, teeth, tongue and voice. It is often assumed to be a skill that you either have or you don’t have. We will dispel this myth and show how anyone can do it and how satisfying and liberating it is to communicate in a world beyond words. You will be introduced to beatbox sounds, rhythms and breathing in an accessible, playful way and are then encouraged to experiment, making up your own beats. We will also focus on the different roles we can fulfil to make a fuller rhythm.

COLLABORATIVE VOCAL IMPROVISATION (CVI) is a form of singing together in a group without a predetermined song. Through games and forms that ease us into our creativity that lies beneath the surface, we lean into ‘not knowing’ and come out with sounds and music that can be delightfully surprising and sometimes downright silly.

These exercises encourage the practice of attentive listening, following our musical impulses when they arise and gaining confidence through opening our mouths and trusting that what emerges is what’s needed.

The workshop will culminate in a vocal jam that will bring together both practices and the improvising skills gained throughout the day.

Who is this for:

This workshop will have plenty to offer whether you are a beginner or a more practised improviser, as everyone will have something to add to the music we make together, and each person will have a musical edge that they can expand into. The most important thing is that you are curious about what your voice can do.

This is a space in which nothing is wrong and everything is play.

About the facilitators:

Pearl runs Stroud Folk Choir and Sing Ahoy Folk Choir and brings her workshops to festivals, including Shambala, Land Skills Fair, and ORFC. Over the past three years, she has embarked on a deep study of Voice and Vocal Improvisation, guided by one of the pioneer teachers of this artform in the UK, Briony Greenhill, who in turn learned her craft from Bobby McFerrin and Rhiannon. She is one third of the trio, The Crooked Penny, who sing folk-inspired songs with haunting harmonies and a feminist twist. Pearl is dedicated to enabling others to connect through singing.

Jack is a beatboxer, vocalist, guitarist, loop station artist, actor who is the beats behind numerous live music projects, most notably, Ushti Baba, Murmuration Choir and The Inexplicables. He has performed extensively in venues and festivals across the UK, Europe and Asia. His music has featured multiple times on BBC Radio 6 music and live on German TV. Jack is a beatbox tutor with over 10 years experience teaching individuals and groups of diverse ages, abilities and backgrounds in a wide variety of settings. This has included working with Bristol Beacon, Trinity Community Arts, and a youth project as part of Fuego a la Isla Festival in Germany. His online classes appeared on the BBC website as an inspiring outcome of the covid pandemic. He has also worked as a musician/actor on theatre productions with an environmental/feminist/social justice focus. Jack’s mission is to move and inspire people to make a positive impact in the world.

Venue:

The Pickle Factory

Workshop Time:

10.30am - 3pm with Lunch Break
(Please bring a dish for a bring and share lunch)

Cost:

Supporter - £40
General - £35
Low Income - £25

We believe that the price is good value for the quality of teaching that you will receive, however if the cost is a barrier to you coming then please get in touch and we can work something out.