GCSE MUSIC Vocal and Instrumental Techniques

Humming

A vocal sound produced with the mouth closed.

Syllabic

there is one note for each syllable.

Melismatic

Singing more than one note (moving around) on one syllable of the text.

Scat

A style of singing in jazz music that is improvised, and where the voice is used in imitation of an instrument (i.e. no words, or using nonsense words).

Vibrato

A musical effect consisting of a regular, pulsating change of pitch. It is used to add expression to vocal and instrumental music.

Falsetto

Male vocal technique used to extend the voice into a higher range than usual.

Rap

A type of pop music originating from the USA where the words are spoken quickly and rhythmically against an instrumental backing.

Staccato

Detached notes, shorter than their full length

Legato

smooth and connected

Sustained

Held on, i.e. a sustained note = a held note.

Accent

Additional stress or emphasis placed on a particular note or chord.

Pizzicato

'Plucked' (i.e. way of playing a string instrument).

Arco (Bowed)

The instruction for string players to play their instruments using the Bow as normal.

Divisi

The instruction in music for orchestral players reading the same musical staff to divide into two or more parts.

Double Stopping

When a string instrument plays two notes at the same time.

Tremolo

Rapid bowing on a string instrument to produce a dramatic effect.

Distortion

An effect for guitar players that distorts the note.

Hammer On

A performance technique for a string instrument with frets, such as the guitar. It occurs when the guitarist brings his finger down sharply on the fretboard (behind a fret), causing a note to sound.

Rim Shot

A performance technique for percussion, when the sound is produced by hitting the rim and head of a drum with a drumstick at the same time.

Slap Bass

A performance technique for bass guitar (or double bass) by bouncing strings against the fretboard to achieve a 'percussive' sound.

Drum Roll

A performance technique for drums that involves a rapid succession of beats. A drumroll is often used to build anticipation in the music.

Muted

A 'muted' effect is achieved when mutes are used to dampen or quieten the sound of string or brass instruments.

Pitch Bend

When a performer changes the pitch of the notes by a very small amount (e.g. using the facility on a synthesiser or bending the strings on a guitar).

Plucked

A way of pulling and releasing the string quickly on a string instrument to produce the sound (i.e. pizzicato).

Slurred

A style of playing two or more notes smoothly

Tongued

A performance technique used by wind instruments to define different notes

Detached

A type of musical articulation which describes notes that have been shortened (i.e. staccato).