How Art Works: Scatting

Studio 360

Beeee-de-be-de-be-pode-e-ba-da-bah. No one’s sure exactly how scatting — the art of singing improvised gibberish — began. But as Sarah Fishko reports, this purely American musical device took on a life of its own as each of the great jazz vocalists took a shot at singing free-for-all.

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.