Greta Matassa, Seattle jazz vocal teacher

As a singer I'd always considered myself self-taught. But as I started teaching I realized I wasn't self-taught at all, but that my "teachers" were the great jazz singers: Ella, Billie, Frank, Carmen...etc. All that I've learned from these and other great singer's recordings and 20 years of working in the profession, I share with my students.

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 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.

Lessons are $60 an hour. Times are available on weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Lessons by mail $60 ( Gift certificates are available) Order you own private customized lesson on CD Today!!
Busy People, shy People and out of town people can sing too! I’m adding a new lesson option to my private teaching.For those of you too busy, shy or otherwise unable to schedule appointments w/ me in person, I’m now able to offer lessons by mail!!

Here’s how it works:

You can review my available accompaniment song titles on my website (see list) and choose up to 4 songs at a time . Give me an idea of your highest and lowest comfortable range (notes). 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, several improvisation exercises in harmonics, and rhythm techniques to be used with each song. You will also get 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.

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

Rhythm Section Workshops ( 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.

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.

Dueting with Greta

A new addition to the rhythm section workshops is called Dueting with Greta. This concept was born from the late night, after hours spontaneous duets I often instigate at the end of some of our workshop performance nights. When the students performances were done, I'd ask if anyone would like to come up and join me and the band in an unrehearsed duet on a song of the students choice. This has created some real fun moments for all of us on stage and really offers a student the chance to find how truly imprompu jazz can, and should be.

It will now be offered as an option in addition to the regular workshops.

A student may choose to do a duet or two with me in the final performance as a part of their 4 or 8 song set. They should choose songs they know quite well and we will run them in rehearsal leaving as much room for improvisation as possible between the two of us. We may trade lines or sections of a song, harmonise and even scat a bit, but all in very "in the moment' type of way. It's my goal to allow students to feel comfortable on stage with me and feel assured that they can try some things they may be afraid to try alone. There is no additional charge for this. If you'd like me to join you, just ask and I'd be glad to. Please be prepared with several songs that we can "play" with throughout the workshop month.

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.

Here are the dates for 2008 workshops

March:4th, 11th, 18th, 25th show at Tula's 26th

April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th show 30th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th show 28th

June 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th show 25th

August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th show 27th

Gift Certificates are available

Greta's Singer's Club

Oprah has her Book Club, and I think it's high time we created a Singer's Club. A discussion group that meets once a month or so to talk about and share some of your favorite singers and why you love them! As I've told many of you in the past I'm a "self-taught" singer. That is to say, almost everything I've learned and made a career out of singing, came from studying and learning from the Great Jazz Singers. I'd like to have the opportunity to share with you some of my favorite recordings of these singers and talk about what I've learned specifically from them. I'll share with you some of my own techniques of creative listening and observation. Some way's of using these recordings for practice and problem solving in your own jazz singing. The cost is $20 per session. These sessions are at least an hour and possibly more once we get talking! You can record the whole discussion! Please feel free to bring in your favorite recordings and we'll open the whole thing up for listening, discussing, laughter, argument, enlightenment and possibly some wine! (with the exception of you minors!) If you'd like to participate, please email me and we'll set up an evening (probably sunday's) ASAP. Limit 5 people per session.

Master Classes, Clinics and School Programs also available; please inquire.



		As a singer I'd always considered myself self-taught. But as I started teaching I realized I wasn't self-taught at all, but that my "teachers" were the great jazz singers: Ella, Billie, Frank, Carmen...etc. All that I've learned from these and other great singer's recordings and 20 years of working in the profession, I share with my students. 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 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. Lessons are $60 an hour. Times are available on weekdays, evenings and weekends. Lessons by mail $60 ( Gift certificates are available) Order you own private customized lesson on CD Today!! Busy People, shy People and out of town people can sing too! I’m adding a new lesson option to my private teaching.For those of you too busy, shy or otherwise unable to schedule appointments w/ me in person, I’m now able to offer lessons by mail!! Here’s how it works: You can review my available accompaniment song titles on my website (see list) and choose up to 4 songs at a time . Give me an idea of your highest and lowest comfortable range (notes). 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, several improvisation exercises in harmonics, and rhythm techniques to be used with each song. You will also get 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. 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 Rhythm Section Workshops ( 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. 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. Dueting with Greta A new addition to the rhythm section workshops is called Dueting with Greta. This concept was born from the late night, after hours spontaneous duets I often instigate at the end of some of our workshop performance nights. When the students performances were done, I'd ask if anyone would like to come up and join me and the band in an unrehearsed duet on a song of the students choice. This has created some real fun moments for all of us on stage and really offers a student the chance to find how truly imprompu jazz can, and should be. It will now be offered as an option in addition to the regular workshops. A student may choose to do a duet or two with me in the final performance as a part of their 4 or 8 song set. They should choose songs they know quite well and we will run them in rehearsal leaving as much room for improvisation as possible between the two of us. We may trade lines or sections of a song, harmonise and even scat a bit, but all in very "in the moment' type of way. It's my goal to allow students to feel comfortable on stage with me and feel assured that they can try some things they may be afraid to try alone. There is no additional charge for this. If you'd like me to join you, just ask and I'd be glad to. Please be prepared with several songs that we can "play" with throughout the workshop month. 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. Here are the dates for 2008 workshops March:4th, 11th, 18th, 25th show at Tula's 26th April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th show 30th May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th show 28th June 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th show 25th August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th show 27th Gift Certificates are available Greta's Singer's Club Oprah has her Book Club, and I think it's high time we created a Singer's Club. A discussion group that meets once a month or so to talk about and share some of your favorite singers and why you love them! As I've told many of you in the past I'm a "self-taught" singer. That is to say, almost everything I've learned and made a career out of singing, came from studying and learning from the Great Jazz Singers. I'd like to have the opportunity to share with you some of my favorite recordings of these singers and talk about what I've learned specifically from them. I'll share with you some of my own techniques of creative listening and observation. Some way's of using these recordings for practice and problem solving in your own jazz singing. The cost is $20 per session. These sessions are at least an hour and possibly more once we get talking! You can record the whole discussion! Please feel free to bring in your favorite recordings and we'll open the whole thing up for listening, discussing, laughter, argument, enlightenment and possibly some wine! (with the exception of you minors!) If you'd like to participate, please email me and we'll set up an evening (probably sunday's) ASAP. Limit 5 people per session. Master Classes, Clinics and School Programs also available; please inquire.
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