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Unstructured Improvising ble, meeting regularly as a required activity outside of
There are a number of ways to provide the oppor- class, or they can be used as part of in-class warm-ups
tunity for individual singers to improvise their own or breakout activities. The musical benefits of jam ses-
unique ideas while in the context of a group. These sion groups can be significant, and the activity boosts
activities are generally fun, energizing, and very ben- enthusiasm for improvisation and jazz. Divide the class
eficial for improving musicianship. To facilitate un- into groups of four or more, and if meeting outside of
structured improvising, play an accompaniment track class, determine the time and place. If meeting during
loudly enough for everyone to hear and ask the singers class time, send the singers out to practice rooms, near-
to sit in their chairs and quietly scat to themselves. To by classrooms, the hallway, or wherever there is appro-
an outside observer, it may sound like a cacophony, but priate space, give them a specific assignment, and tell
from within the group, each individual is able to hear them a specific time to return. Luckily, supplying back-
him or herself adequately and explore improvisation ing tracks for each group is not a problem, as jazz ac-
without the pressure of having to perform in front of companiment phone apps are now available, and very
others. There are myriad variations to this activity, sev- likely at least one singer in each group will have a smart
eral of which are outlined below: phone. The key to success with jam session groups is
to be very specific with goals and assignments and to
1. Ask singers to slowly (meditatively) walk around require the groups be accountable for their progress.
the room in meandering fashion as they sing. You may Example assignments include: “Listen to etude 19 all
need to remind them to avoid interacting with anyone the way through, three times, then learn the first eight
as they meander close to other singers who are doing bars of the solo,” or, “Sing exercise 12 five times, then
the same activity. You may also ask them to step in tem- trade fours with the backing track for ten minutes,
po as they walk. working mostly on scalar ideas.” To keep the jam ses-
sion groups lively and fresh, periodically rotate out just
2. Assign each singer to a partner and place each one member of each group for a new member so that
partner group around the room facing each other. In- new energy is often being infused into the group. To
struct partners to take turns improvising ideas of two-, inspire everyone’s best practice efforts, have jazz session
four-, or eight-bar phrases (depending on tempo and groups periodically perform for each other in class.
personal preference) while a backing track plays. This
is a reasonably safe way for singers to begin improvising Editor’s Note: The full article includes sections titled “Quick
in front of another person. Start with Melody Variation,” “Rhythm, Syllables, and Artic-
ulation,” “Melody,” “Scatting in the Choir or Classroom,” and
3. Divide the class into small groups (quartets or “Musical Games.” There is also a selected resources section. To
more) and place them around the room standing in read or download the full article, visit acda.org/choraljournal, log
a tight circle. The groups should be as far away from into your membership account, and choose the June/July 2015
other groups as possible so each can hear itself. Play a issue from the archives.

recorded backing track as each singer takes a turn at
improvising in two-, four-, or eight-bar phrases. It is
a good idea to determine the direction of improvisers Michele Weir is on faculty at the University of Cal-
(clockwise or counterclockwise) ahead of time. ifornia, Los Angeles as a teacher and clinician. She is
an active arranger, vocalist, and pianist.

Jam Session Groups
Jam session groups are small groups of four or more
singers who meet either in or outside of class to prac-
tice improvisation together. They can function just as
sectional rehearsals function in a choral or jazz ensem-

CHORAL JOURNAL September 2025 Volume 66 Number 2 63