Voice Dictionary

Fathers Day Singing GIF by Jennifer Nie

Here’s a list of vocal terms and their definitions

A


- A cappella: a style of singing without instrumental accompaniment, common in choral music.



B


- Belt: a strong, rich sound that combines the head and chest voice, typically employed in contemporary and commercial music.



C


- Cadence: a rhythmic pattern that creates a sense of forward motion, frequently found in musical phrasing.



D


- Dynamics: variations in volume that add expression and contrast to music, a key element in conveying emotion.



E


- Echo: a repeated sound that creates a sense of space and resonance, a popular effect in vocal processing.



F


- Falsetto: a high, artificial voice that creates a bright and airy sound, characteristic of classical music.



G


- Glissando: a sliding movement between notes that creates a smooth and connected sound, commonly used in melodic lines.



H


- Harmony: multiple voices singing together in a blend of sound, a hallmark of choral music.



I


- Intonation: the accuracy of pitch that creates a sense of tuning and clarity, essential for vocal technique.



J


- Juxtaposition: contrasting vocal styles that create a sense of drama and contrast, a technique often employed in musical theater.



K


- Key: the tonality of a song that creates a sense of tonal center, a fundamental concept in music theory.



L


- Legato: a smooth and connected sound that creates a sense of flow and continuity, a key component of melodic lines.



M


- Melisma: decorative vocal runs that create a sense of ornamentation and embellishment, frequently featured in R&B and pop music.



N


- Nuance: subtle variations in tone that create a sense of expression and emotion, crucial for vocal interpretation.



O


- Overtone: a secondary pitch that creates a sense of resonance and timbre, an important aspect of vocal resonance.



P


- Pitch: the perceived highness or lowness of a sound that creates a sense of melody and harmony, a fundamental element of music.



Q


- Quiet: a soft volume that creates a sense of intimacy and subtlety,

Instagram icon
LinkedIn icon
Email icon