The Blues Voice: A Workshop
[45-60 minutes]
It growls. It shouts. It cries. It grovels and soars. The wide palette of sounds and emotions that contemporary listeners take for granted in contemporary singing styles have been passed down to us by way of traditional Spiritual, Blues and Jazz singers and are deeply grounded in the cultures of West Africa.
Working with a chorus, or singers in the classroom in a presentation that is part history lesson and part vocalese, Ainslie examines the backgrounds of divergent vocal styles with special emphasis on understanding the cultural and historical the aspects of European and West African culture that inform vocal styles in America.
Group singing, vocal exercises, and enunciation are all stressed. Work with students towards their on-stage presentations, understanding and debunking stage fright, and encouraging their willingness to be emotionally present and expressive as singers are all important parts of this workshop. While Ainslie’s vocal chops and knowledge are impressive, his delight in teaching singing is disarming and infectious. He approaches his students with evident compassion, humor and energy.
Ainslie’s experience as a performer, a musical director for touring Off-Broadway productions, and a Blues historian provide a rich backdrop for his work with students. This is an excellent pre-performance opportunity for school choruses and drama groups. The specific goals of this workshop can be focused in consultation with interested teachers.