a group of notes sung to one syllable of text
a group of pitches sung to one syllable of text in vocal music
a long string of notes sung to a single syllable
a vocal element in which a number of musical notes are sung to one syllable of text
a passage of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in Gregorian chant
passages with many notes (roughly, more than 8) for a single syllable.
a form of melodic ornamentation whereby a group of notes (is) sung to one syllable
Several notes sung to a single syllable.
(me-liz´-mah). A melodic ornamentation; one syllable sung on more than one tone of a song.
In music, melisma (commonly known as vocal runs or simply runs) is the technique of changing the note (pitch) of a 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.
