Abstract
This study investigates extended vocal techniques (EVTs) in improvisational music contexts through case studies of Bobby McFerrin and Linda Sharrock, complemented by autoethnographic research. Traditional vocal pedagogy has emphasized Western classical paradigms focusing on pitch and tone, but EVTs, including growls, whispers, overtone singing, and percussive vocalizations, have gained prominence in contemporary practice.
The research identifies three key contributions of EVTs: they allow vocalists to access diverse timbral possibilities previously associated with instruments or electronics; they create expression pathways beyond language toward pre-linguistic emotional communication; and they introduce micro-improvisational parameters that enhance expressive control and dialogic capabilities between artists.
McFerrin's integrative approach, incorporating unconventional sounds within established frameworks, contrasts with Sharrock's disruptive style that challenges conventional beauty standards, reflecting their distinct historical contexts of the 1990s and late 1960s, respectively. The findings suggest a vocal pedagogy framework balancing technical development, emotional exploration, and physical awareness to understand the voice's continuing evolution as an instrument for artistic innovation.