Vocal Music (Junior Cert Music): Revision Notes

Vocal Music

Voice Types and Vocal Range

• Range is the distance between the lowest and highest note a person (or instrument) can sing or play.
• Voices are divided into four main types based on pitch. These are known by the initials SATB:
  • Soprano – The highest-pitched female voice
  • Alto – A lower female voice
  • Tenor – A high male voice
  • Bass – The lowest male voice
• Each voice type has its own comfortable range of notes. Male and female voices are categorised based on this range.

Types of Vocal Groups

• A solo is one person singing.
• A choir is a group of singers, which could be:
  • A male choir (only male voices)
  • A female choir (only female voices)
  • A mixed choir (both male and female voices)
• Exam Tip: You may be asked to identify:
  • Whether the melody is sung by a male or female singer
  • Whether the group is a male, female or mixed choir
  • Which voice types you hear: soprano, alto, tenor or bass

Features of Vocal Music

A Cappella

• A cappella means singing without any instruments.
• The voices perform on their own, without backing from a band or orchestra.

Call and Response

• This is when one voice or group sings a phrase (the call), and another voice or group replies (the response).
• Common in gospel music, and often used in pop where the lead singer is echoed by backing vocals.
• Also called antiphony.

Word Setting and Word Painting

Word Setting

• This is how the words of a song are set to music.
• Syllabic – One note for each syllable of text. (e.g. "For un-to us a Child is")
• Melismatic – A single syllable is stretched across several notes. (e.g. "born" sung over many notes)

Word Painting

• When the music helps show the meaning of the words.
• For example, if the word "descending" is sung in a falling melody, it matches the meaning of the word.
• This technique helps paint a picture through music.

Vocal Performance Techniques

Vibrato

• A small, fast waver in pitch while holding a note.
• Adds warmth, emotion, and expression to the voice.
• Used in opera, pop, and musical theatre.

Falsetto

• A type of high voice used by male singers.
• It sounds light and airy, and is higher than their normal voice range.
• Common in pop, R&B, and some traditional singing.