Chapter 6 Section 3 Vocal Performance

Bell Ringer 12/10/12 What does Bel Canto mean?

Culture Influences the Voice Every culture has it’s own style Chinese singing is different from Japanese or Indian singing They have different timbres and tone qualities Some languages slide pitches up and down. Others have gutteral sounds and even clicks.

Listen CD 4 # 31 “Hommeage A Baba Cissoko” (Mali) CD 4 # 32 “Mamo Marie Mamo” (Bulgaria)

Bel Canto Bel Canto- a style characterized by lyrical and flowing phrases, beauty of vocal color, and brilliant technique Bel Canto means Beautiful Singing

Listening CD 4 # Listen to the female opera singers and determine which does a better job at the Bel Canto style Now listen to the Male opera singers and determine which does a better job at the Bel Canto style

Blues Style Blues- a genre of African American music that often expresses frustration, sadness, or longing Originated in spirituals and work songs of slaves “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy popularized the blues

Blues Style Characteristics Improvisation Used as the basis of improvisation 12-Bar Blues Usually based on a 12-bar harmonic pattern that’s repeated Blue Notes Blue Notes- selected pitches, usually on the third and seventh degrees of the scale, whose intonation is altered at the discretion of the performer

Listening CD 4 #33 “There is Something on Your Mind” What sounds differently about the blues than Jazz?

Contrasts in Vocal Music Have you ever heard voices that sounded like instruments? “Sweet Honey in the Rock” is a female African American vocal group that sings a wide range of music Listen to the Grammy nominated song “State of Emergency” CD 4 # 34 “State of Emergency”

State of Emergency Jailed and beaten, left to die Political prisoners of apartheid Youth of the nation, violently oppressed In the quest for freedom thousands dead How can we let this be in their country They must be free when will segregation end When will the masses be free again