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How to Sing Scat

Musicians sing scat when they use their voices to imitate a trumpet, saxophone or other instrument. Instead of normal words, scat singers use sounds like "shoo-be-doo" and "doo-wah" to add interesting rhythms and styles to a song. Scat singing is most often heard in blues and jazz, and is a chance for singers to do something similar to a vocal solo. Notable scat singers include such luminaries as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Sarah Vaughn.

Things You'll Need

  • Jazz or blues recordings
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Instructions

    • 1

      Listen to scat singers and pay attention to the sounds they make and the techniques they use.

    • 2

      Learn the arpeggios of chords, which are the notes that make up a chord. For example, the notes that make up a C major chord are C, E and G. Scat singing relies on arpeggios, so you'll need a strong knowledge of arpeggios for success.

    • 3

      Sing scales and arpeggios, using sounds like "de" and "doo" and "dut." Sing these notes in a staccato manner --- short and detached from other notes -- and try different sounds. Remember, you're trying to imitate an instrument's sound.

    • 4

      Sing different combinations of notes and sounds. You don't have to just sing chromatically. Try out different note combinations to see what you think sounds good.

    • 5

      Sing along with a jazz or blues recording, adding a scat solo at an appropriate part. Continue to practice by trying out different sounds and notes.

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