A Cappella: Singing without any form of instrumental accompaniment.

Accent: Giving a particular note or phrase more stress than the ones before or after it.

Accompaniment: The instrumentation that plays beneath or in support of the singing.

Accompanist: An instrumentalist who plays music beneath the singing.

Alto (or Contralto). Timbre tends to be heavy and full. Vocal Range: E, below middle C, to B below High C.

Aria: In opera, a song, especially a solo.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Arpeggio: The sounding of the notes of a chord in succession instead of simultaneously.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Articulation: The shaping of the lips, teeth and other structures to make words from the basic buzzing sound produced in the larynx.

Articulators: Moveable and non-moveable structures that shape sounds into words including tongue, teeth, lips, hard palate and soft palate.

Attack/Onset: Describes the process of HOW the vocal folds come/are brought together before ‘phonation’. The ‘attack’/'onset’ can happen simultaneously with the breath, before or after the breath.

Glottal Onset (before the breath) – ‘Popping’ sound at the beginning of the sound

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Aspirate Onset (after the breath) – ‘Breathy’ sound at the beginning of the sound

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Simultaneous Onset (with the breath) – ‘Clean’ commencement of the sound

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Back phrasing: A stylistic technique where the singer is either ahead or behind the beat, on purpose. Jazz singers typically use this technique, as do some pop singers.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Baritone: Timbre tends to be thick and creamy. Vocal range: G or F an octave below middle C, to F or G above middle C.

Bass: Timbre tends to be dark, heavy, and full. Vocal range: E (or lower) an octave below middle C, to E or F above middle C.

Belt: A technique or style of singing in which the larynx is slightly higher than in the classical voice, and the vocal cords are held tightly together for a longer period of time. The shape of the word (vowel) and how it is sung is intrinsic to the sound. The sound seems extremely forward in “placement”, but is not nasal. The space inside the mouth is not as large as in the classical technique. True belt is not chest voice nor an extension of chest voice into the higher register. It is often used in the ‘Broadway’ musical style.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Bleet: So named because this vocal quality resembles the bleeting of sheep, the sound results from excessive physical tension that causes a fast vibrato. Edith Piaf is a good example.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Blend: In solo singing, the smooth transition between the head and chest voice. Or, when more than one individual is singing, the sound combination between singers, which preferably makes it difficult to pick out one singer’s voice amid the group.

Break: Term used to describe the transition area between a series of notes, usually occurring between registers of the voice (i.e., between the chest voice and the head voice or middle to the high notes of the vocal range). passaggio or bridge and usually occurs in a part of the vocalists range where resonation moves from one area of the body to the next, for example, the upper part of the chest register and the lower notes of the head voice. Also used to describe an area of the voice where the singer encounters difficulties.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Breathiness: The distinct sound of air with the voice, resulting from vocal folds that do not completely meet during voicing.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Breath Support: Efficient use of the singer’s stream of breath, determined by the use of abdominal and oblique muscles in order to control the speed at which the diaphragm relaxes back to a neutral state (i.e. as it was before the breath was taken).

Carry: Refers to the distance your voice will travel and be heard.

Chest Voice: Or “chest register.” The lower notes of a singer’s range; in the same general range as the speaking voice. When singing in the chest voice, the vocal cords become naturally thick, and the resulting sound is generally associated with deep, warm tones.

Chord: A group of notes played simultaneously.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Compression: AKA Zipping up. The action of bringing the vocal chords together.

Covering: A term used mostly in opera to describe a darker tone.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Croon: To sing or hum in a soft, soothing voice. Heard mostly in Classic Jazz music.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Da capo: A term used in written music meaning ‘Return to the beginning’.

Dehydration: Loss of fluids within tissue, including vocal fold tissues, which can make voicing more difficult and possibly more prone to injury.

Diction: The pronunciation of words. This requires attention to both consonants and vowels. Different types of music may require clear or relaxed diction; for example, in musical theatre, it’s essential that the audience understand the lyrics, but in jazz or blues, the singer may occasionally slur words on purpose in order to achieve a desired sound. Good diction helps produce good sound, however, so all singers should pay attention to it.

Dynamics: The variations of soft and loud singing in a given song.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Falsetto: In male singers, a high register or range of pitches (actually sung in what is considered typically, to be the female range) similar to the head voice. However, unlike the head voice, falsetto cannot blend with the chest voice. When singing in the falsetto range, the vocal folds remain open and thinned, rather than ‘vibrating’ against each other frequently as in the use of all other ranges – thus producing a ‘thin’ and breathy sound.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Forced: Singing that is forced may sound strained, and is accompanied by unnecessary tension in the throat.

Frequency (of sound): In a scientific sense, the frequency implies how often a sound wave repeats itself. In practical terms, it is the pitch of the sound, or the highness or lowness of the human voice. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).

Fry: A low-pitched vocal quality so called because the sound is similar to food cooking in a hot frying pan. It is characterized by intermittent “pops” of sound and produced by the vocal folds opening and closing irregularly and un rhythmically.

Glottal attack: A speaking habit whereby the speaker brings the vocal folds abruptly together to produce sound (sometimes causing an audible “click”), particularly in words that begin with a vowel. This technique may cause eventual damage to the vocal cords if used excessively in a forceful way.

Hoarseness: AKA ‘Croaky’, ‘Husky’, ‘Dry’, ‘Raspy’ sound when speaking or singing. There are many causes of hoarseness. Fortunately, most are not serious and tend to go away in a short period of time. The most common causes are acute laryngitis (which sometimes occurs due to swelling initiated from a common cold), upper respiratory tract viral infection, or irritation caused by excessive voice use such as screaming at a sporting event or rock concert.

Head Voice: Or “head register.” Singing in the higher part of the range. While singing in the head voice, the vocal folds are thinned and ‘zipped up’ as opposed to the folds being thick at the bottom of the vocal range or thin and open in the falsetto.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Imagery: The situations, people, or emotions a singer pictures in his or her head while they sing, in order to achieve emotion and a good level of expression in their songs. Imagery may also be used to help a singer achieve better vocal technique.

Intonation: Refers to pitch. If he or she has “insecure intonation,” they sing either flat or sharp.

Laryngitis: A general term for irritation and redness of laryngeal tissues. A usual cause is a viral illness.

Legato: Singing as though all the notes were tied together; the notes flow together smoothly.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Marking: When a singer chooses to sing half-voice for a rehearsal, in order to ‘save’ the voice from fatigue before a performance.

Mezzo Soprano: Timbre tends to be rich and creamy. Vocal Range: E, below middle C, to at least high C.

Mix Voice: A blending of the Head and Chest registers.

Nodules: A type of polyp (or callus) on the vocal cords that prohibits good singing. When vocal cords get irritated (from fatigue, poor technique, infection, etc.), they swell. Singing repeatedly with swollen vocal cords can cause nodules. The only way to know if you have or are developing nodes is to go to a throat specialist (ENT). If you have frequent hoarseness or a constant sore throat, see one immediately. Treatment is usually rest, although surgery may be required in severe cases.

Nodules

Onset: See ‘Attack’.

Passaggio: The transition between, or ‘passage’ through which the vocal folds adjust to enter the next area of resonance or register. Also known as the ‘bridge’.

Phonation: The resulting sound made by the vibration of vocal folds cords modified by the resonance of the cavities in the upper body and head.

Pitch: The sound, frequency or execution (to ‘pitch the note’) of a particular note.

Placement: A singing term that refers to the ‘area’ of vibration in the chest, face and head (including the chest, throat, mouth, teeth, cheeks, eye-sockets and skull) to achieve healthy sound that ‘resonates’ and carries well.

Projection: Generally, the ability to be heard by the audience. Sometimes also refers to the ability to communicate emotion to the audience, as in “she projects great sadness.”

Range: Refers to the notes that a given performer can sing comfortably.

Repertoire: The songs a singer knows well and can perform.

Resonance: Refers to the amplification achieved when the ‘sound-wave’ or ‘sound vibration’ enters and ‘vibrates’ in the cavities of the chest, face and head (including the chest, throat, mouth, teeth, cheeks, eye-sockets and skull) allowing the sound to ‘carry’.

Scat: A jazz term referring to a technique where singers use wordless sounds and improvised notes, often imitating jazz instruments.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Scoop: Beginning a note beneath it’s pitch, then sliding up to the correct pitch.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sight Singing: The ability to sing from sheet music without preparation or prior acquaintance.

Snap Breath: A quick, short, unobtrusive breath.

Soprano: Timbre tends to be light and flexible. Vocal range: A below middle C, and up to high E (or above).

Staccato: The opposite of Legato. Each note is separate from the one before and after it.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Support: (See ‘Breath Support’)

Tenor: Timbre tends to be light and flexible. Vocal range: B an octave below middle C, and up to high C or D (or above).

Timbre: The ‘characteristic’ quality or ‘color’ of a sound, independent of pitch and volume.

Tone: The general quality or clarity of the vocal sound.

Transpose: To change the ‘key’ of a song.

Vibrato: ”The steady pulsation of the voice that is heard of a sustained note caused by a fluctuation in pitch.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Warm Up: Anything that helps the singer prepare for a practice session, rehearsal or performance. Typically, a warm up consists of vocal exercises, that gently stretch the vocal apparatus and increase the blood circulation. It may also include warming up the rest of the body with stretches to relieve tension and help wake the senses.