In "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Louis Armstrong, what vocal technique is used between 1:40 and 1:45?

Study for the Survey of Popular Music Exam with multiple choice questions, hints, and thorough explanations. Prepare effectively for your test!

The use of scat singing within "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Louis Armstrong between 1:40 and 1:45 showcases an improvisational vocal technique that blends jazz with playful expression. Scat involves using nonsensical syllables rather than traditional lyrics, allowing the singer to convey emotions and musical ideas through rhythmic and melodic variations. Louis Armstrong, renowned for his charismatic and inventively spontaneous style, often employed scat singing, which adds a layer of complexity and creativity to performances.

While other vocal techniques such as crooning emphasize smooth, sentimental singing and may involve longer, sustained notes or intimate phrasing, scat is distinguished by its rhythmic and improvisational nature, contributing to the jazz idiom by prioritizing creativity and spontaneity in vocalization. Thus, the identification of scat singing in this excerpt illustrates Armstrong's ability to manipulate his voice as an instrument, rich with articulation and groove, typical of jazz music.

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