What does melisma refer to in music?

What does melisma refer to in music?

• A. Singing multiple notes on a single syllable
• B. A rapid scale passage
• C. A whispered vocal style
• D. A form of vocal percussion

Answer: (A)

In singing, melisma means singing several notes on a single syllable. This decorative approach models how a single syllable can be embellished with a quick, flowing succession of pitches, which you hear in many styles—from Gregorian chant to modern vocal riffs in pop and R&B. The best match for melisma is the idea of multiple pitches tied to one syllable, rather than a single note per syllable or other vocal techniques. For contrast, a rapid scale passage describes a fast run of notes one after another, a whispered vocal style is a different texture, and vocal percussion refers to using voice as a drum or beat. Melisma specifically captures that single syllable stretched across multiple notes.

In singing, melisma means singing several notes on a single syllable. This decorative approach models how a single syllable can be embellished with a quick, flowing succession of pitches, which you hear in many styles—from Gregorian chant to modern vocal riffs in pop and R&B. The best match for melisma is the idea of multiple pitches tied to one syllable, rather than a single note per syllable or other vocal techniques. For contrast, a rapid scale passage describes a fast run of notes one after another, a whispered vocal style is a different texture, and vocal percussion refers to using voice as a drum or beat. Melisma specifically captures that single syllable stretched across multiple notes.