Private Studies

(Gift Certificates are available)
I teach from my home in West Seattle. All levels. Men and women ages 12 and up. We work on repertoire, phrasing, scat, rhythm and improvisation as well as the proper vocal techniques of breathing, support and range. I help students develop a practice routine that is fun, builds strength and produces results. Many of my students have gone on to work locally and many have won awards at various vocal competitions.

I know over 2,000 jazz standards, and work with students using a series of accompaniment recordings of over 300 well-known standard songs from the great American songbook (see list). These songs can be modified to each student's key and tempo preference. I also have the digital technology to remove the vocals from some existing commercial cd's to make custom rehearsal cd's. Each lesson will be recorded to a cd for easy practice access. In addition to your practice cd you will hear at each lesson a compilation of various great jazz singers recordings of the songs you're working on! This is in keeping with my philosophy that learning from the Great's is always a part of jazz!

Also, for those singers wishing to pursue a career in music I share vocational advice from my experience in many areas of the music business: getting gigs, private parties, night clubs, recording demos, advertising work, etc.

MONEY SAVING TIPS: I do encourage private students to "share" a lesson". Split the cost of an hour lesson by having a friend join you: 2 students/$30ea. 3 students/$20 ea. etc. Also remember I do NOT require students to sign up for "regular" weekly or monthly lessons. Students may schedule on a lesson to lesson basis.
Lessons are $60 an hour. Times are available on weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Recitals for Regular Private Students

As an incentive to practice and stay focused I believe it's important to have "stage time". I schedule, every month for my regular private students a cost-free performance at Tula's jazz club, with my band! To participate simply set up some regular (approx every 2 weeks) private lessons, and remind me you'd like to get a performance scheduled.

 The Jazz Singer Workshop (New)

"Let me make a better Jazz Singer out of you!!""
Jazz vocal Improv/phrasing and general vocal conditioning workshop with final performance at Tula's with my band (Limit 6 students per month!)

A NEW 4 week workshop covering stylizing/phrasing and improvisation skills to keep your repertoire fresh and inventive!
Each 3 hour session includes work on up to 4 tunes for each student (chosen from my list of 600 jazz standards!)
We will try some techniques to help you find new ways of treating melody and playing with rhythmic phrasing.
You'll be using rhythmic and harmonic exercises to learn to sing your songs in refreshingly new ways.
Exercises include: Harmonic exercises you can do over the chords for help you hear potential new melodies.
Rhythmic exercises that will help you learn to liberate the lyrics for a more loosely beautiful freedom of phrasing.

You'll learn to importance of using a metronome!
Dynamics and Attack demonstrations. These exercises help create interest and that indefinable something that makes audiences really sit up and listen!
Scat: If you are interested in scat, I will include examples of this as well.

Vocal tracing: We will also borrow from my successful boot camp series of vocal conditioning and study the phrasing of some of the great jazz singers.
Each session includes a 1/2 hour my regular vocal "aerobic" workout!
"this is the warm up routine I've used for years and that I use to prepare for recording and performing all over the world!!"
You will gain strength, flexibility, breath control both in body and voice. Plus you will experience the stylistic treatments of the masters of Classic jazz singing:
Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Streisand, Blossom Dearie and Peggy Lee as well as others.
This 4 week workshop is a total of 12 hours of instruction is offered at $200. Contact me, greta@gretamatassa.com for dates.

Offered May 2012 , tuesday or wed evenings , 4 weeks and performance May 30th (6 openings)

Greta Matassa's Vocal Boot Camp (New)

AKA vocal "tracing" workout
(limit 5 students per session)
2 hours, $40-$50
Join me on my regular vocal "aerobic" workout!
"this is the warm up routine I've used for years and that I use to prepare for recording and performing all over the world!!"
You will gain strength, flexibility, breath control both in body and voice. Plus you will experience the stylistic treatments of the masters of Classic jazz singing:
Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Streisand, Blossom Dearie and Peggy Lee as well as others.

You've heard me say that I learned to sing by singing along with these great artists, well now is the time to join me and let them make a stronger singer out of you too. By vocally "tracing" or copying their every phrase and will gain insights into their artistry and learn about the physical control your instrument.

Each 2 hour workout includes 15 minutes of warm up scales and breath control and diaphram exersises, with guidance by me.
A 45 minute group sing along with Frank, Ella and Barbara at my home, while dancing and moving in time with the me and the recordings. There will be some light aerobic "dance" moves to help you understand how to sing in rhythm. (great for breath control)
Followed by an hour at Alki Beach !! We each take our ipod's, cd players etc and walk along the beach while singing "quietly" along with your "guide recording" (Blossom Dearie, Peggy Lee and/or Shirley Horn ) to learn the art of singing softly with distinction and a breath control friendly falsetto.
This is info about "conditioning" that I often share with private students but have never before offered to walk you though on a 2 hour basis!
This offer is for serious singers that want to commit to a definite improvement of their voice and study the masters of american song.
$50 per 2 hour session. Contact me if you're interested and We'll set up dates.

Lessons by mail

( Gift certificates are available) Order your own private customized lesson on CD Today!!
(A great way to learn without attending regular lessons)

I’m now able to offer lessons by mail!!   $60.

Here’s how it works:

You can review my available accompaniment song titles on my website (see list) and choose 8 songs . Give me an idea of your highest and lowest comfortable notes (your range.). I’ll choose a key and will record an accompaniment track for you w/ multiple choruses on a CD.

I will also record for you a guide melody. You can request a "virtual jam session" where I will give examples of improvised melody and, or scat 8 bars at a time and you and I will "trade lines". This has proven to be a great way to jump start your freedom of expression.

I will send you the cd and the sheet music.

This type of lesson will not replace private one on one lessons at my studio, as I’ll need to hear you to help you, however, for many it's a great way to add to your repertoire and stay in practice.

I advise students to schedule a private lesson with me after working on your own w/ the cd.

Scat lesson CD available now!!!

As a part of my scat/improve clinic I have created a unique appoach to learning  to scat sing.

As the students who have taken this class will testify "I loved this workshop! The progress I made was tremendous because for one month I solely focused on mastering Greta's step by step approach to scat improv."

You can now order a cd package that includes a scat comrehensive study of 8 standards using a variety of straight forward exercises. $60 (You may also want to participate in my Scat/Improve workshop held monthly. See below)

Here are some comments from students about my "lessons by mail"

"I love the concept of the lesson by mail. With two small children, sometimes it can be hard to fit in times when I can actually go to a lesson. This way I can "go" any time I want. And the improvising exercises have been very helpful. Trading 4's or 8's with your recorded voice is helping me understand more fully the concepts of improvisation and harmonizing. I appreciate your generosity of spirit in helping with this complex part of singing jazz." Sarah

"Greta's "Distance Learning" has made a huge difference in my singing. It's like being at a lesson only over and over again, so my practice can be endless-- which is what I clearly was lacking. I think it's her best idea yet. Going to a lesson after practicing gives you more confidence and uses time very wisely."
Kathleen

"I have only had one "lesson by mail" but I plan to do it again, probably one out of my two lessons a month. The best thing about it that I get the tracks on a CD; I don't have to pull them off of my tapes. It has allowed me to learn new tunes faster and then devote my "face time" lessons to fine tuning and working on technique." Cara

""There are a couple of reasons why this works. First, it's great to have Greta's expertise in a format that you can revisit again and again. It feels like having many sessions in one. Second, if you're at all intimidated about trying new things (like scatting), this allows you to try alternate melodies and trade lines with a pro in the privacy of your home. I feel like I'll be that much farther along and more confident when I work face to face with Greta. What a great " idea!" Carole

April 2012 Scat Workshop (tuesday evenings 4 weeks and performance April 25th ( 6 openings)

Improv/Stylizing Guidance CD

Singers, Are you bored with your songs? Can't find new way's of interpreting them?
Let me help you!
Order a custom Improv/Stylizing Guidance CD from me. (This is not about scat. But about using rhythmic and harmonic skills to sing your songs in refreshingly new ways, and break away from the same old treatment you give it every time.)
Here's how it works:
Pick 4 songs from your current repertoire and let me know your key if possible.
I will make for you a cd that covers many different ways to go about re-treating the song.
These include: Harmonic exercises you can do over the chords for help you hear potential new melodies.
Rhythmic exercises that will help you learn to liberate the lyrics for a more loosely beautiful freedom of phrasing.
Dynamics and Attack demonstrations. These exercises help create interest and that indefinable something that makes audiences really sit up and listen!
Scat: If you are interested in scat, i will include examples of this as well.
Lastly I will sing 4-8 bars of a new version and leave the next 4-8 bars to you at intervals through-out the tune.
I will also, of course, provide you with an open track with multiple choruses to practice over!
This exercise has, more than any other, really helped me lead singers "to the water" so to speak, and will get YOU improvising new lines!
Here's the best news! As in introductory offer the cost is $45!!!

"Well, you've done it again Greta! This is an outstanding method for getting to really know a song - artfully dissecting the music to reveal the possibilities for harmonic and rhythmic nuancing, to really take "ownership" of the song. What a great new tool for my toolbox!" Robin

Rhythm Section/Performance Workshops (How to work with a band!)

(Gift Certificates are available)
This recurring workshop is a rare opportunity for singers to work with one of the top rhythm sections in the Northwest jazz scene. Each series includes four, half-hour sessions (Tuesday nights) with piano, bass and drums and myself. The students will work up 4 songs for the performance .We work on communication with the instrumentalists, song form, solos, arrangements, mic technique and stage presence. Students are encouraged to stay as long as they like and watch the other participants. Each four-week session ends with a performance at Seattle's premiere jazz club, Tula's, where singers have the option of recording themselves or showcasing for gigs..and of course inviting their friends and family to see them!!

Workshops are generally every month. The cost is $300.

March 2012 Rhythm Section Workshop (tuesday evenings, 4 weeks and performance March 28th ( 6 openings)

Other options for the rhythm section workshops include:

Double workshops

I'm also offering a "double" workshop! This allows you to perform 8 songs at Tula's. You'd have 4, 1 hour rehearsals w/ the band and myself. You can ask to make any month a "DOUBLE". The cost is $600 and subject to space availability.

Instrumental students

Although the workshops were started primarily as a forum for vocal students, we have recently had pianists, saxophonists, guitarists and a violinist take the workshop as well.

The band will offer to share the wisdom they have to budding instrumentalists who join us and wish to work on their comping, soloing and improvisation skills. They may also wish to augment their time in the workshop with some private lessons with the bandmember of their choice.

Workshops are planned every month, please inquire. 206-937-1262, greta@gretamatassa.com

Scat/Improvisation Workshop with Greta Matassa

I have developed a scat/improve workshop and I want you to be the first to know about it!
Here's how it works:
A four week workshop at my house, usually tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours and a performance at Tula's at the end of the month . Limited to 6 students!!!
We will cover scat using approx 10-12 songs:
Major tunes like Bye Bye Blackbird and Let's fall in love
Minor tunes like Summertime, Lullaby of birdland
Uptempo swing like I got rhythmn
Blues at various tempos
Slow swing like Just squeeze me, Alone together
waltz : Moon river,. Bluesette
Latin, One note samba, Meditation
Each tuesday for 3 hours I will work with you individually, paired off as well as in a group. We
will cover harmonic improvisation, arrpegiation, rythmic patterns, syllable choices, melodic ideas, theme and variation, song structure (ways to keep track of where you are!!)
Each of you will also be asked to learn a section of an existing scat solo.
Utimately you will perform 3-4 songs you've been practicing and are encouraged to have scatting duets at Tula's.
The workshop will be accompanied by my CD catalog and digital system (providing keys changes and the opprotunity to learn to scat these songs in multiple keys!)
The performance at Tula's will be accompanied by my band (Darin, Clip and Mark)

The cost is $200 + an optional rehearsal with the band for an addtional $60

Next available workshop August and September. Please inquire.

"I loved this workshop! The progress I made was tremendous because for one month I solely focused on mastering Greta's step by step approach to scat improv. The workshop was extremely well conceived and conducted: the volume of input was quadrupled with all the different issues each of us brought up. It was great fun and I cannot wait for Scat Improve II"
—Martine

"Thank youuuu.That was so great. I'm guessing you're going to have continued success with this class. You have a gift for breaking down the learning/understanding process of this art.This would be a great pre-cursor to the rhythm section workshop, as it focuses on understanding the songs in terms of comping and song structure. Nice class size too."
—Nicole

"Oh, what a night! I was buzzed up like I used to be in the early days. Greta, you are relaxed in your teaching, coaching and support"
—Dorothy

Here are more testimonials:

"A few weeks ago, I posted about a scat workshop that I was starting with my teacher Greta Matassa. The four- week run of the workshop is complete and we are doing a showcase performance at Tula’s tomorrow night. Oh baby, what a fun we’ve had!
        Greta is pretty much known around these parts as the high priestess of vocal jazz. She deserves the status; she’s dedicated her life to perfecting her craft and her talent is off the hook. But Greta is also a really sharp teacher. Her own lifelong study of the vocal jazz greats has been exhaustive. With open ears, determination and intelligence, Greta has climbed inside the music and has excavated all the techniques, nuances, tricks and methodology that are critical for successful jazz singing.  She readily and enthusiastically shares these tools with her students. Greta is also an outstanding diagnostician and can quickly figure out what’s not working and make a ready suggestion that is usually right on target for fixing the problem. Of course, she does all of this with a playful, relaxed style and a whole lot of humor, something we can never have too much of.
        For the scat workshop, Greta dismantled the process of scat singing. It was like she took an engine apart on the kitchen table, showed us all the pieces and what they do and then explained how they all function together. Her next step was to have us work on the parts individually before putting them back together again and blasting off on our own scat solos. On top of all this, Greta also provided support materials (CD’s, charts, etc.) that we could take home to practice with. Within the first week or two of the workshop, everyone picked a few songs from a list of about ten. We then went to town applying our newfound scat techniques to these select tunes, making them ready for tomorrow night’s showcase.
        For my money, I couldn’t have asked for a better workshop. I learned a lot and I had a ton of fun. I love scat singing but have always been hungry for ways to improve. Greta definitely delivered. I enjoyed our weekly sessions together (There were about half a dozen participants.) and absorbed a lot just by watching Greta work with other people in the workshop. And I really can’t stress the fun factor enough. The sessions were loose, and I think everyone felt comfortable trying new things and, at times, stumbling along the way. It was a warm, supportive vibe all around. I love hanging out and talking about music with Greta and I enjoyed how the flow of the sessions lent themselves to some really great discussions. (And many hearty laughs as well.)
        One thing I liked about this workshop was that I quickly assimilated new tools that I was able to immediately apply in gig situations. I’m pretty confident that this workshop has improved my scat chops considerably, or at the very least, I know it has boosted my confidence. I suppose the proof will be in the pudding….or the scatting. As I mentioned earlier, we are having our workshop showcase tomorrow night. (Wednesday, November 10) at Tula’s. My fellow singers and I will be performing four songs each along with a rhythm section. Of course, we’ll be scatting up a storm. Drop by and check us out. We’ll be having fun. Join us!
        I give Greta’s scat workshop a big fat thumbs up! If you’re even remotely interested in beefing up your scat chops, look no further."
—Katy

Singers Jam's at Tula's, 7:30pm

The 1st and 3rd monday of every month. Singers are encouraged to try out their material at Seattle's premier jazz club. Be accompanied by some of the best instrumentalists in town. Sign up early (prior to 7pm) to be assured of a space.

"I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the vocal jam this week. I wanted to say hello, but I could only stay for one set, and you were up to your neck in excited singers. It was wonderful to see the emerging confidence of the older singers; it can really be life- changing in ways that go way beyond music. Some of your students have real talent. The atmosphere was as relaxed as it can be for first- timers. Randy did a fabulous job coping with the chaos. Thanks for a great set"

—Fred

Greta's Singer's Club

Master Classes, Clinics and School Programs

Also available; please inquire.

 
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