Melisma

In music, melisma is the process of singing more than one note while singing a single syllable of the lyrics of a song. This technique was exemplified by the singers on the television show American Idol and is used as musical ornamentation (grace notes) in baroque music. It is also frequently employed in celebrity performances of The Star Spangled Banner at public gatherings like sports events. Use of melisma is common in popular singing in 2003.

External Links

• New York Times article, May 18, 2003, "The State of American Singing as Heard on 'I-I-I-I-I-I-Idol'" by Jody Rosen
• American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language entry on "melisma"
• Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary entry on melisma

References

• Adapted from the Internet-Encyclopedia article, "Melisma" Internet-Encyclopedia, article "Melisma"