How to Sing Like Ella Fitzgerald: London’s Guide to Jazz for Adults

Jazz isn’t just music—it’s attitude, timing, and groove. No one embodied that quite like Ella Fitzgerald.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to sing like Ella Fitzgerald, this is your moment.

Let’s dive into the swing, scat, and soul that made her voice unforgettable.

Who Was Ella Fitzgerald?

Known as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and simply Lady Ella, Ella Fitzgerald wasn’t just a vocalist—she was a revolution in sound.

Her story began in humble circumstances. Born in Virginia in 1917 and raised in New York, she faced a turbulent childhood and a great deal of hardship.

But everything changed the night she stepped onto the stage of Harlem’s Apollo Theatre and won an amateur singing competition at just 17 years old.

From that moment, Ella’s rise was nothing short of spectacular. She recorded over 200 albums, won 14 Grammy Awards, performed in legendary venues across the globe, and collaborated with icons such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Frank Sinatra.

What truly set her apart was her remarkable three-octave vocal range, her flawless pitch and timing, her unmatched ability to scat with inventive brilliance, and her crystal-clear diction paired with deeply expressive phrasing.

Beyond technical mastery, it was Ella’s emotional depth that resonated most—she didn’t just sing songs, she told stories and stirred hearts.

That’s the magic that made her a true legend of jazz.

5 Essential Lessons from Ella Fitzgerald for Adult Jazz Singers

Ella Fitzgerald’s legacy isn’t just iconic—it’s instructive.

Her vocal brilliance offers more than just admiration; it provides a blueprint for anyone wanting to explore the expressive, playful world of jazz singing.

Whether you’re returning to music after a break or discovering jazz for the first time, these timeless techniques inspired by Ella can guide your journey.

1. Scat Singing – Let Your Voice Improvise

Scatting is jazz’s vocal improvisation at its finest—and Ella was the queen of it. She transformed syllables like “bop,” “sha,” and “doo” into dazzling musical statements, riffing with the same finesse as a saxophonist.

To get started, listen to instrumental solos and try mimicking their patterns with your voice.

Then, build your own short improvisations over familiar jazz standards. Keep it playful. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s freedom of expression.

Learning to scat develops your musical ear, builds confidence, and teaches you to treat your voice like an instrument.

2. Tone Control – Smooth, Warm, and Effortless

Ella’s tone was pure silk. Her voice carried warmth, clarity, and effortlessness.

But behind that ease was years of refined control.

To improve your tone, start with breath support—ensure you’re breathing deeply and using your diaphragm rather than shallow chest breaths.

Practice long, sustained tones on different vowels to build stability.

Work on vocal placement by exploring resonance in the chest, head, and mask (nasal) areas.

Tone is not just about how you sound—it’s how your sound connects emotionally.

The more awareness you build around your breath and placement, the more expressive your singing becomes.

3. Phrasing – Make the Lyrics Yours

Ella never just sang the words—she lived them.

Her phrasing could make a familiar lyric feel brand new. She would stretch or clip notes, shift rhythm slightly, and shape a line to match the mood of the moment.

Try speaking the lyrics before singing.

Understand what the words are saying—what emotion are they carrying?

Then sing slowly, paying close attention to dynamics, pauses, and emphasis.

Phrasing isn’t about copying—it’s about personal interpretation.

When done right, it draws the listener in and makes each performance feel honest and intimate.

4. Rhythm and Feel – Sync with the Groove

Jazz is all about feel—and mastering rhythm is essential.

Ella’s ability to lock into a groove, whether swinging hard or gliding gently, gave her music its magnetic pulse.

To build rhythmic precision, practise with a metronome or swing-based backing track.

Try tapping your foot consistently on beats 2 and 4 while singing to internalise the swing feel. You can also clap or tap along with your favourite jazz recordings to absorb syncopation patterns.

Rhythmic awareness is what gives jazz its bounce, and it trains you to stay in sync whether you’re singing solo or with a band.

5. Repertoire – Expand Your Voice and Style

Ella’s repertoire was vast—blues, swing, bebop, bossa nova, and more.

This variety not only showcased her vocal range but kept her artistry constantly evolving.

If you’re new to jazz, start with a few timeless standards like Summertime, Blue Skies, or It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).

Each of these classics teaches something different: phrasing, groove, range, or storytelling.

Repertoire is where technique meets heart. The more songs you explore, the more your style will mature—and the more fun you’ll have experimenting.

Where to Learn Jazz Singing in London

If you’ve always wanted to sing jazz but didn’t know where to start—this is your moment.

At the London Singing Institute, we offer fun, friendly, and professional singing lessons just for adults. Whether you’re completely new or have some experience, our expert teachers will help you grow in confidence and develop a true jazz sound.

You’ll learn at your own pace, with personalised one-to-one coaching and a supportive atmosphere. From smooth jazz tones to scat and swing, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

It’s never too late to start singing the music you love.

Ready to begin? We’d be delighted to welcome you!

Final Thoughts: Let Ella Be Your Guide

Ella Fitzgerald was more than a great voice—she was a storyteller, a fearless improviser, and a symbol of artistic excellence.

She sang with heart, with humour, and with sheer joy.

And that’s exactly what jazz is all about.

If you’re an adult in London dreaming of singing jazz, let Ella be your guide.

Take the leap. Explore your voice. Discover your rhythm. And remember: it’s never too late to swing, scat, and soar.