Here’s a vocal workshop that will help bring your blues songs to life! W. C. Handy Award-winner Gaye Adegbalola has identified 17 key points to help a singer put his or her song across. As she puts it: "My mission is give you some ideas to help you relay a story... lay your soul bare... share an experience... say aloud what others feel deep inside."
In an engaging and forceful way, Gaye shares the elements of singing that she has gleaned from years of performing experience. She discusses her ideas on communicating to an audience -- personalizing a song, choosing a repertoire, picking the right tempo and key, phrasing, etc. -- and provides technical instruction in breathing, vibrato, the “growl,” the octave slur and other elements of singing. In addition, her tips on dialoguing, imaging, shading, squeezing notes and other “tricks of the trade” will add color and flavor to your blues renditions.
To illustrate these tips, Gaye performs all or part of more than a dozen traditional and original songs, including "Fishing Blues," "Hear Me Talkin' To Ya," "Down Home Blues," "Meet Me with your Black Drawers On," "1-800-799-7233," "Dirty Sheets Blues," "Blues is in the House," "Sweet Black Angel," "Coat Hanger Blues," "Staggerlee," "Don't You Feel My Leg" and "C. C. Rider."
NOTE: Like many traditional blues songs, some of the material here contains strong sexual content or inuendo.