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Makin’ Whoopee
A jazz standard from 1928: the first two sections of the chorus. Each line rocks on a quick, dotted “an-oth-er” and lands on a long note; half steps lead up to “makin’ whoopee”.
A jazz standard of 1928, with music by Walter Donaldson and words by Gus Kahn. The tune spans one octave in a major key, at 108 beats per minute in cut time. Each line begins with a quick pick-up, “an-oth-er,” and climbs to a long note on the third, fourth, then fifth. The ending climbs by half steps to “whoop-” and falls to a long root on “ee.”
How to do it
- Wait for the two count-in clicks. The piano plays the opening phrase alone, then plays along with you.
- Sing the pick-up “an-oth-er” quickly, almost like speech, then land on the long third.
- On “sunny honeymoon,” dip to the root and back to the long fifth.
- Climb the half steps to “whoop-” and fall to “ee” on the root, holding it for four beats.
- Keep a swing feel: the dotted figures are light.
Coach's tip: Swing the short–long–short “an-oth-er” lightly, like speech. In “reason for makin’” the line climbs by half steps – aim each one.
What to watch out for
Swing is the challenge. Singers either play the dotted figures straight, like a march, or drag them behind the beat. Think of speech and keep the pick-up light. The half-step climb on “mak-in' whoop-” goes sharp if you rush, so take each step on purpose. The long notes near three beats sag; keep the air moving. Stop if you strain.
Who it's for
Level 2, for singers who want to learn jazz phrasing and half-step accuracy. Warm up with Enclosing a note – chromatic approach, then use it in the main block. Afterward try Swing blues line in mix. No program lists it. The daily training brings it up more often with the Jazz style.
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