What is the term when a singer uses multiple Notes for a long word? Not one syllable, but an entire word? An example of this would be Solar Fake's song, "Just Leave It." The word is significantly. So, he uses one note per syllable, not multiple notes for one syllable.
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People more often describe the opposite. To use multiple pitches for a single syllable is melisma (or, adjective, melismatic). A syllabic setting is more the default. You mentioned the word "significantly," but most words in that song seem to be set syllabically. Maybe you're actually thinking more about the rhythm, in which the syllables of "significantly" are given short notes with lots of space in between them, more than the word would normally have when spoken.– Andy BonnerNov 29, 2022 at 14:35
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Thank you very much!! Very appreciated!! 👍🏻– Mary GPDec 3, 2022 at 12:58
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1 Answer
Syllabic. Since it appertains to different notes, sung on different syllables, it makes sense that the term used is syllabic.
Medieval Gregorian plainchant used syllabic music, as does Indian Vedic recitation.
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"Medieval Gregorian plainchant used syllabic music"—it does? I mean, I can definitely think of melismas in plainchant. Was there an early period in which they weren't used? Nov 29, 2022 at 14:32
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@AndyBonner - I didn't mean exclusively. Just quoting Wiki... It was all a bit before my time, really.– TimNov 29, 2022 at 14:50
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Thanks, again! I understand and appreciate your time and explanation; it makes sense.– Mary GPDec 3, 2022 at 13:00