If you’ve ever wondered whether you could “just make up” words and make them sound musical, take a cue from Carla and Sonja: You might just discover a whole new side of yourself—and maybe even a lifelong musical friendship. Got a favorite scat word or a story about your own improvisational experiments? Drop a comment below or tag us on Instagram @CarlaSonjaScat. We can’t wait to hear your “doo‑ba‑doo”! 🎤
| Syllable | Feel | Typical Use | |----------|------|-------------| | | Playful, bright | Opening phrase, sets a light mood | | “Zee‑do‑wee” | Mellow, dreamy | Transition into a softer section | | “Rra‑tah‑boom” | Percussive, rhythmic | Syncopated bursts over the drums | | “Glu‑ma‑shi” | Slurred, smooth | Long, gliding lines that ride over chords | carla and sonja scat
Enter Carla, a classically trained mezzo‑soprano who’d spent the last five years teaching voice at a community college, and Sonja, a self‑taught guitarist who had been gigging in indie‑folk circles for the better part of a decade. Neither of them had ever tried scat before, but both loved jazz and had a healthy dose of curiosity. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could “just