Setting words to music

Setting Words to Rhythm The river glares in the sun Like a torrent of molten glass

The river glares in the sun Like a torrent of molten glass

Two examples:

Beaming

Melisma versus syllabic

Ranges

Phrasing marks To show where breaths should be taken.

Hyphenation Con - stan - ti - no - ple Co - nsta - nti - nop - le

Word painting For example, if you have the word “low”, you use a low note, if you have the words “soaring” you write ascending high notes and so on. Other evocative words could be “climb”, “fall”, “sigh”, “stop” and “jump”. There won’t always be words which you can paint with, but if you can find one, do try to use it!

Avoid Setting awkward words on very high or very low pitches Breath the lines yourself to make sure that they can be done in single breaths Avoid excessive low or high notes Careful of awkward leaps and spellings