Sep. 22nd, 2011

melisma

Sep. 22nd, 2011 07:10 am
prettygoodword: text: words are sexy (Default)
melisma (mi-LIZ-mah) - n., a passage of singing several notes or tones to a single syllable of text.


As happens in plainchant, or blues, and many popular genres worldwide. What I had on my list was actually melismatic, being such a passage, but I decided this one sounded better. From Greek melisma, melody, tune, from melizein, to sing from melos, song. Which says something about ancient Greek singing styles.

---L.

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