Characteristic Vocal Techniques in Black Music Performance

Known as African Vocality( to use Earl Stewart’s terminology)

Term Definition Additional Information

1. call and response
2. Guttural effects
a musical statement (the call)
immediately followed by a musical
statement (the response).
Non-verbal sounds added to the lyrics,
used for emotive or expressive purposes
Also considered to be a binary form
(two-part form); consisting of an
antecedent phrase that is followed by a
consequent phrase; different
formulations of call and response exist;
it is also heard in instrumental music;
Common examples of this include:
screams, moans, groans, grunts, shouts,
humming, growling, use of raspy vocal
timbres;

3. Interpolated vocality
4. Falsetto
5. Blue notes
6. Afro-melismas or
melismas
7. Lyric improvisation
improvised words (usually) that are
inserted into the text or lyrics;
use of the head voice (the high-pitched,
upper vocal range of male voices)
notes that are slightly lowered in pitch,
also called bent notes
a run of several pitches to a single
syllable or several pitches to a one-
syllable word;
an extended section created by
improvised lyrics. This may occur
during what is commonly known as the
vamp section – where the forward
motion and harmonic progression stops
or slows down, allowing the soloist to
improvise freely.
spoken words; inserted text, not always
from the lyrics, but words that
complement, build on, or enhance the
meaning of the lyrics
Literally, “false voice”; associated with
male vocal styles, not female;
May be vocally- or instrumentally-
produced
A technique used as a means of
embellishing or ornamenting (dressing-
up) a melody
A vamp typically occurs at or near the
end of a piece of music.

8. Rhythmic Improvising that focuses more on Function: primarily to provide rhythmic

improvisation rhythm than melody or lyrics.
9. Syncopation accents on unusual or unexpected parts
of the beat;
10. Vocal rhythmization Vocal sounds used primarily for
rhythmic purposes, as opposed to
serving melodic purposes;
11. Rhythmic tension A set of rhythmic events that add a
feeling of intensity, interest, or drama to
the performance
12. Rhythmic the rhythm-driven, cumulative or overall
concrescence effect or feeling in the music;
interest to a performance; a performer
alters the rhythm of a melody for
creative or expressive purposes
One of the most common characteristics
of black music; occurs in vocal and
instrumental music;
Examples include: rapping, (chanting or
speaking rhythmically); beat boxing;
scat singing or scatting – (which could
be argued provides melodic as well as
rhythmic interest)
Often referred to as groove, swing, feel,
or soul

R. Sands, Music Department 2009