Or are most modern pop and R&B stars incapable of simply hitting a note and holding it?
Or are they hiding their inability to do so in a sea of melisma?
Seriously: why do primal songs – “Over The Rainbow” and “As Time Goes By,” among others – need to be doctored by a modern performer throwing it through the vocal warp effect?
It’s overkill.
It’s pathetic.
And it’s spent.
Now there is a place for melisma in music: it’s been used for centuries, especially in Hindu and Middle Eastern music forms. But these days, the mash-up of jazz-esque improvisation by folks who don’t have a clue about improv that is complementary to the music, rather than simply wailing above it, seems to be the unfortunate norm.
Stefanie
13 December 2007 — 18:11
Don’t forget Medieval European music. I blame American Idol, launching pad of the worst offenders. What really kills me about it is that there is no sense of balance and placement as to what text or what elements of the melody should receive melismas. Climax note? yes. Passing tone? No. “love”? yes. “in”? no. I think it comes from the same instincts that motivate guitarists to solo in fast forward. It doesn’t matter how many notes you play/sing if none of them are the right note.