I don’t particularly agree with the idea of ‘levels’ in relation to collective vocal improvisation. I believe that in the singing tribe everyone sang together regardless. But these singing peoples were also sharing everyday life and navigating together the cycles of nature, birth and death…As most of us might come from a much more individualised experience of making music and using the voice, it can be helpful to hang out with others who are starting from a similar place, and move on from there… So here is an invitation to see where you would place yourself.

Beginner: 

If you like the idea of improvising with your voice but you have never or rarely done it. If the experience of singing in front of others is new or somehow uncomfortable. If you are musical but not a confident singer, or a fairly confident singer who hasn’t yet come off the score or song but would like to. If you want to discover/uncover your voice and musicality while improvising in the company of others. If you have tried improvising before but had a bad experience. If you have been too afraid to try. 

Intermediate: 

If you are someone who is already singing with others, who feels fairly confident in singing in front of people, who has started exploring their creativity but wants more tools and confidence, more skills for interacting. If you have begun exploring vocal improvisation but you feel limited in your ideas, musical or vocal palette. If you already enjoy practising vocal improvisation with others and you want to grow your experience of the artform without complex musical demands. If you already are a vocal improviser and need specific help with rhythm, harmony, invented language. If you want to learn new forms for collaborating in small groups or share improvisation in your musical practice (school/ therapeutic settings,etc).

Advanced: 

If you have been improvising solo and with others for quite a while, feel confident in your voice and musicianship and want to grow further, to practice with other experienced singers, to get an overview and ideas about where else to explore. If you want to refine your skills vocally, compositionally and technically.If you would like to learn deeply about specific topics (modes, odd time signatures, world grooves) If you want to perform/record professionally as a collaborative vocal improviser or teach CVI to others.