The Art of The Duo — A Masterclass with James Sherlock & Hetty Kate

Saturday 20th August 2022

11AM - 1PM

$20 ENTRY+BF

About Masterclass

The voice and guitar duo has been an integral part of James Sherlock's musical life for 30 years and he's had the opportunity to play with many exceptional singers not only in Australia, but around the world. The duo is such an important and fundamental skill to develop for both guitarists and singers yet it is mostly overlooked in jazz and music education.

Vocalist Hetty Kate has been both a bandleader and a 'sideman singer' for over 15 years with a focus on singing in a trio setting with guitar and double bass. Hetty has performed as the featured vocalist with symphony orchestras, big bands and small groups in over 27 countries around the world. As a 'sideman singer', or 'guest vocalist', Hetty is often called to join musicians she may have never met before, who may not speak the same language and in that role is required to deliver a polished performance with minimal preparation. Professionalism, listening, stage craft and repertoire are four essential skills you'll need as a jazz vocalist along with communication on and off stage.

You don’t have to be the next Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald, or Pasquale Grasso and Samara Joy. All that’s required for a polished and enjoyable performance in duo is to be prepared to play simply, and clearly - to listen and work together with your duo partner and to best serve the music you are presenting.

Topics for guitarists and vocalists will include :

• Intros and endings
• Phrasing
• Techniques for different feels and styles
• “Self-accompanying” when soloing for guitarists
• Accompanying colla voce
• Maintaining forward motion and flow
• Stage presence and stage craft
• Repertoire preparation for vocalists
• Troubleshooting! What can go wrong, and what to do about it!

Accompanying and collaborating in a duo can be an unforgiving playing context, it requires both musicians to be responsible for all the musical elements. Learning to feel comfortable in the duo format is vital for all young instrumentalists and vocalists.