Melisma

Melisma (Ancient Greek: μέλισμα, mélisma, lit. 'song'; from μέλος, melos, 'song, melody', plural: melismata) is the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession. Music sung in this style is referred to as melismatic, as opposed to syllabic, in which each syllable of text is matched to a single note. An informal term for melisma is a vocal run.^[2] The term roulade is also sometimes used interchangeably with melisma.^[3]^[4]

^ Shepherd, John (2003). Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World: Performance and Production. p. 565. ISBN 978-0-8264-6322-7.
^ Katzif, Mike (January 11, 2007). "How 'American Idol' Uses (and Abuses) Melisma". National Public Radio. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
^ Weiss, Piero; Taruskin, Richard (2007). "Glossary: Roulade". Music in the Western World. Cengage Learning. p. 555. ISBN 9781111793449.
^ Elson, Louis C., ed. (1911). "Melisma". Modern Music and Musicians; Part Two: Encyclopedia. University Society. p. 803. ISBN 9781404706750.

[1] Shepherd, John (2003). Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World: Performance and Production. p. 565. ISBN 978-0-8264-6322-7.

[2] Katzif, Mike (January 11, 2007). "How 'American Idol' Uses (and Abuses) Melisma". National Public Radio. Retrieved October 7, 2019.

[3] Weiss, Piero; Taruskin, Richard (2007). "Glossary: Roulade". Music in the Western World. Cengage Learning. p. 555. ISBN 9781111793449.

[4] Elson, Louis C., ed. (1911). "Melisma". Modern Music and Musicians; Part Two: Encyclopedia. University Society. p. 803. ISBN 9781404706750.

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