From the work of Bobby McFerrin and his vocal orchestra –
Voicestra http://www.
and Rhiannon http://www.
VOICESTRA
Standing (done in septets, or octets, or quintets…)
Person 1 starts a short phrase that has rhythm and can be easily repeated – The Motor.
Person 2 copies their phrase, trying to exactly match the texture, rhythm, tone, pitch, expression, body language. Then Person 2 makes up a harmony to Person 1’s part, keeping the same exact rhythm but adding different notes that are “pleasing to the ear.”
Person 3 copies Person 2’s phrase, trying to exactly match the texture, rhythm, tone, pitch, expression, body language.
Then Person 3 makes up a new part that can be a harmony or a new interlocking part, trying to fill in spaces that are left in the already existing parts.
Person 4 copies Person 3 (or 2 or 1) to get a feel of the group’s groove. Then Person 4 makes up a new part, that can either be a harmony or new interlocking part.
Person 5 and 6 same as 4.
Person 7 steps in front of the group, listens carefully and delightedly to their groovy foundation, and improvises on top, inspired by their bed of sound, taking off on voyages as yet unknown. Person 7 can conduct the group, encouraging them to crescendo (get louder), decrescendo (get softer), and when ready, Person 7 ends the improv, which can be done either with a gradual fade, or an abrupt cutoff (or anything else that s/he can communicate to the group.