Melisma (aka oversouling, as suggested by John Eskow)

A run of notes on one vowel



A friend of mine just recently got off on a tangent about music and today's singers. Mostly of the stuff that irritates us to no end.

I thought I had discussed this before, but probably it was on another site. Melisma is term for singing many notes on one vowel. Many artists like Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, and now just about any contestant on the singing game shows are using this technique to convince the audience... I've got talents.

Even when Melisma is used properly in it's gospel roots, I find it irritating. But the idea, anybody using it today, I find as deplorable as autotune. Singing in Melisma or hitting and sustaining the high note does not make one talented.

I guess get more upset, that it's not only norm now, but vast multitude of people seem to categorize this as someone who has talent or a skill.

John Eskow recently wrote his take on it and used the word Oversouling, which I find very appropriate. But the thin skinned, PC crowd found this to be racist. Say What? Look at the word. Over, which means over the top.... souling, soul music, soulful sound, soul singing. Over the top soul singing.

How da **** does that become racist?

Are you sure here? I know I've talked about it before, just can't recall specific's.

It's been awhile. 

You mean this?