'Melismatic' is a musical adjective describing a melisma-full vocal performance. A melisma is characterized by the vocalizing of many notes over one syllable, either out of necessity or for aesthetic embellisment. Melisma is often exercised within a bluesy, honest, and emotional context. Think Mariah Carey, Beyonce Knowles, Whitney Houston, and Christina Aguilera. This vid does a good job of showing many strong examples melisma: Melisma Examples
I'm sure you've heard melismas before as it is all the rage in the pop music industry today. Feel free to impress someone with your now increased vocabulary. It could pass for some sort of skin cancer, couldn't it?
Doctor: "I’ve identified a melisma.”
Patient: “Is it B9?"
Doctor: “Well, yes. That’s the chord it's being sung over”
In all seriousness, some people think melisma as it is exercised today is a cancer in the music industry. I was talking with my Godmother a few months ago about pop music, and, recalling a recent performance of the national anthem she witnessed, she questioned me (with a disgusted tone): "Why do all these young singers sing so many damn notes. I want to hear the melody without all that extra stuff." I agree that it can lose its impact if done in excess, as most things do. When tastefully done, however, I dig it. This is beautiful: "Let It Be"-Across The Universe
"Melismatic" is also the title of a fascinating pop music blog which I highly recommend checking out for yourself.
After reading a handful of her posts like it was an addiction of mine, I identified her playful, casual, and honest voice which is undeniably clear, consistent, and enrapturing.
Her latest post cleverly entitled: Grammy Got Run Over By A...details her impressions of the Grammy Awards which aired Sunday, January 31 2010. Generally she was unimpressed with the Grammy's this year. I found them rather lacking as well.
Her comprehensive look at the Awards ceremony is chock-full of colorful descriptions, which makes for a very engaging read, and is also a huge part of the strong voice that permeates her posts. Lady Gaga opened the show with a performance of one of her singles: "Poker Face." Mel describes it as "so-dead-its-been-beaten-multiple-times-like-a-dead-horse.” I think that is a very accurate description of the musical number. Lady Gaga appeared tired of the song herself (perhaps her Poker Face would have come in handy?). Mel mentions Lady Gaga's more than redeeming duet with Elton John, which I agree was the musical highlight of the Grammy's. Lady Gaga and Elton John
The most visually inspiring moment had to be Pink's high-flying and graceful choreography to her song "Glitter in the Air." She hung from the ceiling and spun around, often upside down, all the while giving a solid vocal performance. Mel writes:
Then the performance took a whole different turn when she was dipped in water then again rose high and spun around, spraying the audience of awe-induced celebs like they were watching a Shamu Show at SeaWorld. Crazy.
It is just this whale-of-a comparison that is representative of Mel's creative way with words, which is on display in every one of her posts. I bet Pink would not be too keen on being compared to Shamu, but, regardless, it still made me laugh.
The way Mel presents her musical commentary is conversational and pleasantly casual. When delving into a light discussion on Taylor Swift and her Grammy sweep, she begins with
But girlfriend--this whole Gee Willikers! I'm so shocked I won! schtick is starting to feel real thin
I can definitely hear Taylor Swift in her sweet, innocent, little voice of hers saying just that. I think Mel hit the nail on the head with this one. I couldn't have put it better myself.
Furthermore, Mel's posts contain many phrases in parentheses and strike-throughs when extra commentary on certain subjects is deemed appropriate or inappropriate. I feel like she is supplying a window into her mind/writing process, or as if I am the privileged owner of a limited release DVD with BONUS special features. For example, in discussing who she thought should win awards she writes that her top picks
would likely lose in favor or what is more successful saleswise, or what the typical Grammy Voter deems worthy (::cough::cough::)
Mel is casual, honest, and creatively playful with her words. If she were a singer, instead of a blogger, she would definitely be singing with melismas.
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