Definitions 1
An organized group of singers
Choir
Singing without instrumental accompaniment
A Capella
How loud or soft the volume is
Dynamics
Soprano
Highest female voice part
Bass
Lowest male voice part
Traditionally the highest male voice part
Tenor
The lowest female voice part
Alto
The middle-range male voice part
Baritone
Mezzo Soprano
The middle-range female voice part
Diaphragm
Layer of muscle below the rib cage that creates proper breath support.
Breathing for living
Upper Torso Breathing
Divided vocal parts
Divisi
Clear pronunciation of the text
Diction
Lower Torso Breathing
Heavy, laborious breathing
Middle Torso Breathing
Ideal breathing for singing
Qualities or tones of disagreement and restlessness
Dissonance
Relationship of one section of the choir to the rest of the group
Balance
Relationship of a voice to the voices around it
Blend
Falsetto
'false' tones above the normal voice range
Intonation
the accuracy of pitch
The general 'lie' of a vocal line. The average pitch level.
Tessitura
Holding your breath while singing and releasing the air that forces pressure against your larynx
Glottal Stop
Tone color of the singing voice
Timbre
Vocalise
A vocal exercise that is sung on vowels or syllables
Nodules and Octavo
Nodules - thickened callouses on the vocal folds
Octavo - a single piece of choral sheet music