Soul/R&B

[jollyjelly]

At the risk of being controversial, I'm hoping someone can settle a 'subject of debate' that we have in our household at the moment... It's about Soul/R&B singing, typically female singers like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston or those aspiring to sing like them (sorry not very familiar with many Soul artists names ) and whether the technique of putting as many notes in one vocal word as possible has a particular term? I've scoured the internet for this but cannot find a description of it any where? I won't go any further into the subject of female soul "vocalist" for fear of causing offense, but would be curious to hear other peoples views, and knowledge of this vocal style.

JJ x

[riverdancefan]

DS calls it riffing but that's probably not the proper term

[islandofsodor]

In opera it would be called melisma.

[jollyjelly]

DS calls it riffing but that's probably not the proper term

Genius!! thank you and T. That's exactly it! just found this on google just by typing in Riffing in Singing http://voicecouncil.com/get-your-riffing-right/ It even has exercise sound examples further down the page!!

[jollyjelly]

In opera it would be called melisma.

EDIT

that sounds more like it too, judging by definitions found on google, although it does sound a bit like a strange illness too

I'm always so impressed by the huge wealth of knowledge of many the NAPMers on here have! Makes me and ds's efforts feel a little pathetic at times.