Vocal Vocab
The study of symbols which represent speech sounds.
What is the International Phonetic Alphabet, or IPA?
Elements of style include Melody, Harmony, Accompaniment, Poets/Texts, and ____.
Rhythm
This is the most important factor in varying the size of the vocal tract resonator for vowel formation.
What is the tongue?
ˈɛɡˌnɔɡ
egg nog
The principle of organizing musical compositions around a central note, or tonic.
What is tonality?
Two vowel sounds perceived as a single distinguishable “language unit.”
What is a Diphthong?
Of the three elements needed to produce sound, the breath acts as the ______.
Power source
The flexible, muscular part at the back of the roof of the mouth. It can be raised and lowered to control the airflow through the nasal and oral passages.
What is the soft palate?
sleɪ raɪd
sleigh ride
The range in which most notes of a vocal part fall.
What is tessitura?
This is the true foundation of supported singing. Examples of this could include blowing through pursed lips, hissing, or doing a lip trill.
Of the three elements needed to produce sound, the vocal folds act as ______.
Vibrators
A dome-shaped, muscular structure located at the base of the chest, separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. It plays a crucial role in breathing.
What is the diaphragm?
ˈmɪsəlˌtoʊ
mistletoe
When a composer illustrates the words literally with musical patterns - for example, the ascending melody of the phrase "climb ev'ry mountain"
What is text painting?
This refers to the mechanics of speech sounds. Generally, this includes connecting vowels and consonants to form words in a fluent and cohesive manner.
What is articulation?
Of the three elements needed to produce sound, the vocal tract acts as the _______.
Resonator
Also known as the voice box, it is a cartilaginous structure in the throat that houses the vocal cords and is responsible for producing sound and controlling pitch.
What is the larynx?
ˈkændi keɪnz
candy canes
A leading phrase or figure that is reproduced and varied through the course of a composition or movement.
A type of vocalization where the “false vocal cords” on either side of the true vocal cords vibrate.
What is ventricular fold phonation?
___, ____, ____, soft palate, cheeks, and larynx are the six speech organs responsible for articulation
Lips, tongue, jaw
The muscles located between the ribs. These muscles play a role in breathing by expanding and contracting the ribcage.
What are the intercostals?
ˈʤɪŋɡəl bɛlz
jingle bells
This is the way harmonies relate to create the overall effect of a piece of music - this word is an umbrella that includes many sub-elements (diatonic vs chromatic vs modal, for example.)
What is harmonic texture?