Vocal Music Concepts
To hear examples of different voice types please look at the clips on the instruments page.
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.
Cadenza
A Cadenza is a section of music where the orchestra stop playing and the soloist 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 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.
Backing Vocals
Backing Vocals are the singers who accompany the main singer.
Backing Vocals are the singers who accompany the main singer.
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 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 singing with an orchestra.
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.
Verse and Chorus
Verse and Chorus 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.
Verse and Chorus 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.
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.
Other Vocal Music
Some other examples of vocal music can be found in the Scottish Music topic. These are;
Mouth Music
Scots Ballad
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
Scots Ballad
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.