Articulation

• Rhythmic spoken style

  Rap
• One part split into 2 or more (usually bowed strings in orchestra)

  Divisi
• Intense, powerful singing style - most often associated with musicals or ballad-style pop

  Belt
• Plucked string

  Pizzicato
• Stretching the musical note over many syllables of lyrics

  Melisma
• Strings slapped against the fretboard as notes are played (bass technique)

  Slap bass
• Effect on guitar - makes a raw fuzzy sound

  Distortion
• Notes played separately (either through bow or breath)


  Detatched
• Hummed instead of sung

  Humming
• Improvised vocal style - sounds and nonsense syllables

  Scat
• Sharply put finger down by fret (guitar techniques)

  Hammer on
• Held notes

  Sustained
• Short and jumpy

  Staccato
• One musical mote for one syllable of the lyric

  Syllabic
• Edge (rim) of the snare is hit instead of the skin (drum kit)

  Rim shot
• Notes smoothed together (either through bow or breath)

  Slurred
• Two or more notes played at once (applies to bowed strings)

  Double stopped
• Play with bow

  Arco
• Smooth

  Legato
• Marked notes are played louder than others

  Accent
• Sound stopped from vibrating fully (strings, guitar and brass)

  Muted
• Notes played with a clear start (“t” sound at the start of the note for woodwind instruments)

  Tongued
• Rapid repeated notes on (typically) snare drum

  Drum roll
• Strings played together (guitar technique)

  Strumming
• Small and rapid fluctuations in pitch, mainly used by voice and strings

  Vibrato
• Strings plucked individually (guitar technique)

  Finger picking
• Continuous and very quick repetition of a note (usually in strings)

  Tremolo
• Short scoop up to or down to a note

  Portamento/pitch bend
• Slide from one note to another

  Glissando/slide