Vocal Music Concepts
To hear examples of different voice types please look at the clips on the instruments page.
A capella
A capella is the term used to describe unaccompanied vocal music.
A capella is the term used to describe unaccompanied vocal music.
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Opera
An Opera is a musical drama that is performed on stage. It has soloists, a chorus and an orchestral accompaniment.
An Opera is a musical drama that is performed on stage. It has soloists, a chorus and an orchestral accompaniment.
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Aria
An Aria is a solo song from an opera that is accompanied by an orchestra. The song follows a recitative and is usually about how a character feels.
An Aria is a solo song from an opera that is accompanied by an orchestra. The song follows a recitative and is usually about how a character feels.
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Cadenza
A Cadenza is a section of music where the orchestra stop playing and the soloist (a solo singer or a solo instrument) is allowed to show off their talent. This is often improvised and the soloist shows the conductor when they are finished by producing a trill so that the conductor can bring the orchestra back in.
A Cadenza is a section of music where the orchestra stop playing and the soloist (a solo singer or a solo instrument) is allowed to show off their talent. This is often improvised and the soloist shows the conductor when they are finished by producing a trill so that the conductor can bring the orchestra back in.
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Backing Vocals
Backing Vocals are the singers who accompany the main singer.
The Backing Vocals in this clip begins 2 minutes into the video. These backing singers are also backing dancers.
Backing Vocals are the singers who accompany the main singer.
The Backing Vocals in this clip begins 2 minutes into the video. These backing singers are also backing dancers.
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Choir (Choral Music)
A Choir or Choral Music is music where voices are the main instruments. A choir is a group of singers that perform together with lots of different voice types singing together in different parts.
Solo
A Solo is a section or whole piece of music that is performed by one musician or singer.
This example demonstrates a solo and a choir/chorus singing with an orchestra.
A Choir or Choral Music is music where voices are the main instruments. A choir is a group of singers that perform together with lots of different voice types singing together in different parts.
Solo
A Solo is a section or whole piece of music that is performed by one musician or singer.
This example demonstrates a solo and a choir/chorus singing with an orchestra.
Chorus
A Chorus is a large group of singers who perform together. They often sing in different parts in different voice ranges.
A Chorus is a large group of singers who perform together. They often sing in different parts in different voice ranges.
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Harmony
Harmony is where different notes are sung together and sound nice. Harmony gives the music texture and produces a tone colour. It helps to create a chord, countermelody or accompaniment and gives the music a sense of key.
Harmony is where different notes are sung together and sound nice. Harmony gives the music texture and produces a tone colour. It helps to create a chord, countermelody or accompaniment and gives the music a sense of key.
Unison
Unison is the term used when music is played together at exactly the same pitch with the same rhythm.
Unison is the term used when music is played together at exactly the same pitch with the same rhythm.
Descant (Voice)
Descant is an extra part that is sung in the music at a high pitch above the main melody. It is usually very decorative.
The descant part enters at 2.20 in this example.
Descant is an extra part that is sung in the music at a high pitch above the main melody. It is usually very decorative.
The descant part enters at 2.20 in this example.
Gospel
Gospel is a religious style of singing that originated in America. It is often happy and influenced by evangelical church music.
This example begins 1.25 minutes into the video.
Gospel is a religious style of singing that originated in America. It is often happy and influenced by evangelical church music.
This example begins 1.25 minutes into the video.
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Melismatic
Melismatic is a word setting where more than one note is sung for each syllable of a note.
Syllabic
Syllabic is a word setting where there is one note for each syllable of a word.
In this example the verse is sung with a syllabic word setting whereas the chorus has a melismatic word setting with the word 'Gloria' sung over 32 different notes.
Melismatic is a word setting where more than one note is sung for each syllable of a note.
Syllabic
Syllabic is a word setting where there is one note for each syllable of a word.
In this example the verse is sung with a syllabic word setting whereas the chorus has a melismatic word setting with the word 'Gloria' sung over 32 different notes.
Strophic (Verse and Chorus)
Strophic is a form that is used to describe a song where there are verses and choruses. There can be different lyrics in each verse with the same melody.
Strophic is a form that is used to describe a song where there are verses and choruses. There can be different lyrics in each verse with the same melody.
Musical
A Musical is a play that is set to music. Musicals were developed from comic opera and often have a light-hearted, humorous feel with up-beat songs.
A Musical is a play that is set to music. Musicals were developed from comic opera and often have a light-hearted, humorous feel with up-beat songs.
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Rapping
Rapping is a style of half-sung half-spoken music that is performed over a rhythmic accompaniment called a beat. The style is African-American and often has improvised lyrics.
Rapping is a style of half-sung half-spoken music that is performed over a rhythmic accompaniment called a beat. The style is African-American and often has improvised lyrics.
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Other Vocal Music
Some other examples of vocal music can be found in the Scottish Music topic. These are;
Mouth Music
Bothy Ballad
Scots Ballad
Gaelic Psalms
Waulking Song
Definitions and examples of these can be found on the Scottish Music page.
Another example of vocal music can be found in the Jazz Music topic. This is;
Scat Singing
A Definition and example of this can be found on the Jazz Music page.
Some other examples of vocal music can be found in the Scottish Music topic. These are;
Mouth Music
Bothy Ballad
Scots Ballad
Gaelic Psalms
Waulking Song
Definitions and examples of these can be found on the Scottish Music page.
Another example of vocal music can be found in the Jazz Music topic. This is;
Scat Singing
A Definition and example of this can be found on the Jazz Music page.