In
music, melisma (commonly known as vocal runs or simply runs) is the technique of changing the
note (pitch) of a single syllable of text while it is being sung. Music sung in this style is referred to as melismatic, as opposed to syllabic, where each syllable of text is matched to a single note. Music of the ancient cultures used melismatic techniques to achieve a hypnotic trance in the listener, useful for early mystical initiation rites (
Eleusinian Mysteries) and religious worship. This quality is still found in much Jewish, Hindu and Muslim religious music today. In western music, the term most commonly refers to
Gregorian Chant, but may be used to describe music of any genre, including
baroque singing and later
gospel. Within
Jewish liturgical tradition melisma is still commonly used in the chanting of
Torah, readings from the
Prophets, and in the body of the service itself. For an examination of the evolution of this tradition, see
Idelsohn.
See more at Wikipedia.org...
Free Download Now!
