•Gail Dobson Band • Gail Dobson Vocal Coach•
"Smithzonian" CD - Smith Dobson, Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd. To purchase, click on Contact page.
Gail Dobson’s Vocal Performance for Young Musicians
CLASS OBJECTIVES • WHAT I TEACH!
• BREATHING & BREATH CONTROL
• PROPER USE OF MICROPHONE
• PLAY PERCUSSION – shakers that I provide.
• PERFORMANCE SKILLS –how to get up in front of an audience.
• LOSE YOUR FEAR OF PERFORMING
• THE STYLES OF SINGING-IT’S NOT ALWAYS ON THE PAGE!
• IF YOU ARE SINGING JAZZ • HOW TO SWING!
• THE ART OF THE JAZZ BALLAD
• THE ART OF THE BOSSA NOVA/SAMBA
• THE ART OF THE POP TUNE
• HOW TO CALL OFF A TUNE WITH THE BAND
• HOW TO END A TUNE
• SCAT SINGING OVER A BLUES
• SINGING IN A CHOIR AND SINGING SOLO
• HOW TO READ NOTES AND SIMPLE PIANO SCALES
• EAR TRAINING • intervals, the difference between the sounds of major/minor chords.
THURSDAYS-6:00-7:15pm VOCALS FOR KIDS-all ages!
STARRY PLOUGH PUB-Berkeley, CA
also private vocal lesson offered
TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS
Private Lessons and Group Lessons
Canon Music Center -Cupertino, CA
Email Gail for more info, or to sign up!!
PRIVATE LESSONS IN STUDENT HOMES & MY STUDIO BY REQUEST
TESTIMONIALS
***** When I first started taking lessons with Gail Dobson in high school, I had no idea what a tremendous impact she would have on my life. Gail is more than a teacher to her students. For me, she became a friend and mother-figure. She encouraged me through difficult teen years, low self-esteem and was (and still is) a constant source of warmth and strength. Gail builds up her students as musicians, performers, and as people. I had the pleasure of being Gail's assistant at the San Jose Jazz Camp while she taught vocal classes there, and even in those couple weeks, I saw the impact she had on the students. Gail is nurturing and sensitive, but still willing to take students out of their comfort zones, and encourages them to push themselves vocally.Anyone who decides to work with Gail is in for a treat! Feel free to give her a great big hug and say that Meredith says "hi!" Meredith E. 7/2/2013
***** Gail Dobson is a gifted music educator and performer. I worked with her at the San Jose Jazz Summer Camp while in middle school from 2001-2003. As a professional musician and educator these days, I still utilize techniques and tools that Gail shared with me. She is patient, open-minded, and inspiring all at once. It is not often that you find a vocal instructor with her breadth of experience and a deep, intuitive knowledge of music and performance. Not to mention, kindness! I highly recommend Gail! You're bound to have a blast while working with her! Amy D.
***** I began taking vocal lessons with Gail at age 12. Today I'm 25 and her positive influence on my life is cherished even now. Music isn't just about notes and technical ability. It's not just about mimicking your favorite artists or impressing friends. The reason music is so important in culture and the reason you want
your kids to learn how to make their own is because music transforms life's struggles and miseries into something positive and beautiful. It is a tool for coping. Gail indeed taught me how to sing- or at least cultivate the voice I already had. But she has done more than teach me scales and jazz standards. She has taught me what it means to be graceful under unexpected trauma. She's taught me what it means to be "light". And I've been lucky enough to peer into her life and understand how good music can make you a lot of great friends. Gail Dobson is not just a vocalist. She is not just a vocal coach. She is a monument in a very cool community.
I do music semi-professionally now. I've played shows and festivals around the world and have a record out in a well-respected label in the UK. Gail can prepare you whether you're amateur or beyond. Congratulations to those who are wise enough to invite this wonderful woman into their lives. Alana N.
***** Gail Dobson is a timeless musical instructor that takes a voice and gives it confidence, enhances the fun, character and above all else a vision of where that voice will speak. Gail works with the voice within, not just the voice. She becomes a confidante for the child. She becomes a friend to the parent. She works with the natural skill and enhances the self-confidence of a vocalist so that the vocalist can sing in public.
Gail brings her musical entourage into the music room so the student can work with live musicians. Gail prepares venues that are ability appropriate to allow a student to sing in comfort in public. And all the while laughing and making each moment so much fun.You can't do any better than Gail. She is a treasure among all musicians and music teachers. Barb. S.