Final answer:
Scat singing refers to a vocal improvisation technique where the singer uses nonsensical syllables instead of actual words to create melodies, similar to instrumental solos. It is well-known in jazz music and was popularized by artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scat singing is a vocal improvisation technique used in jazz where the singer vocalizes using nonsensical syllables and phonemes instead of actual words. This style allows singers to mimic the sound of instruments and create a unique melody with their voice. It became highly popularized by legendary jazz musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
Scat singing can be seen as a vocal parallel to instrumental solos, where instead of playing notes, the vocalist uses their voice to produce wordless rhythms and pitches. By doing so, the singer essentially becomes another instrument in the band, contributing to the musical tapestry with unpredictable and spontaneous vocal lines.
Answering the student's question, scat singing means singing nonsense vocables instead of words, which corresponds to option 1) Singing nonsense vocables instead of words. It does not necessarily relate to singing in a foreign language, singing with a high-pitched voice, or singing without any melody.