Betty Buckley - NYT piece

[john]

Betty Buckley is known to many Haliens on Twitter for her criticisms of Randy for his dismissive comments about contestants that are "too Broadway." She is a theater, film and television actress and singer. She is a Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee. And she's from Texas, so don't mess with Ms. Buckley.

Theater Talkback: Betty Buckley on Why She Took on ‘American Idol’

In a moment of indignation, I wrote a series of Twitter posts earlier this month addressing “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson and his propensity to call voices he doesn’t like “too Broadway.” This prompted a mini-firestorm from others who, like me, for the past 11 years have had it with the categorical devaluation of voices that Mr. Jackson, and Simon Cowell before him, don’t appreciate.

Nigel Lythgoe, the producer of “Idol,” respectfully responded, explaining that in Britain, where he and Mr. Cowell are from, there is a commonly used distinction between what’s called a “show” voice and a “pop” voice. After a series of back and forth tweets with me, Mr. Lythgoe graciously assured me he would talk to Mr. Jackson about this categorical dismissal. Good to know...

I saw “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” ...Some voices in this “Porgy” are operatic. Some are bluesy. Some are gospel, making use of melisma (the “Idol” judges’ favorite demonstration of vocal dexterity.) There is vibrato – Randy Jackson’s bugaboo. But all combine to touch the human spirit.....

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/0...ican-idol/

[cherelann]

Ok, since we are kind of on the subject, can anyone supply definitions of music terminology, vibrato, runs, head voice, etc. All I really understand is what is pleasing to my ear. Even direction to an easy to understand website would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[buzzenator]

Ok, since we are kind of on the subject, can anyone supply definitions of music terminology, vibrato, runs, head voice, etc. All I really understand is what is pleasing to my ear. Even direction to an easy to understand website would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Good question Cherelann...I'm in the same category...non-musical but I have ears...but my wife says they have a selective switch on them

[My Alter Ego]

Ok, since we are kind of on the subject, can anyone supply definitions of music terminology, vibrato, runs, head voice, etc. All I really understand is what is pleasing to my ear. Even direction to an easy to understand website would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Well, I had hoped that someone else would respond to Cherelann's post, but since no one else has, I shall make a feeble attempt.

A "run" is a laymen's term (yes, Randy, I'm looking at you!) for "melisma", which is a series of moving notes sung on one syllable. It's a technique that dates back to (at least) Gregorian chants, one that Gospel music uses a great deal.

Handel did as well -- "Messiah" is full of it. (As an aside, my limited research into Handel's background and musical training, doesn't indicate that he ever sang -- which might explain why he wouldn't have a clue about the vocal difficulty of his musical lines for singers.) I love his "For Unto Us a Child Is Born" but that piece is SO hard. His melismas are not simply a few notes, but measures long (yes, I know I will need to define that term as well, but not today -ok?), and involve an entire section (i.e. sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses), meaning more than one voice, which needs to sing all of these moving notes and stay together. Much easier said than done. Then, he complicates it more, by having more than one section doing harmonic melismas. Next time you hear this piece (and at Christmas time you most likely will), whether sung well or or not, be appreciative of what the singers have accomplished, or are attempted.

However, as a soloist, they (melismas) can be fairly easy, but far too misused. I understand why contestants on AI abuse them, but usually it seems to hurt them. I came across this article from 5 years ago that some of you may find amusing ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story...Id=6791133 ).

"Vibrato" is a fluctuation of the (original) pitch (most frequently) heard on sustained notes/tones, in order to provide expression to the note. Ultimately, it adds some color to a sustained note, which would, otherwise, be rather boring.

"Head voice" is also more of a laymen's term for "upper range" or "upper/head register." Any singer with any range of more than an octave (and by range, I'm referring to lowest to highest note that a singer can comfortably and consistently produce -- and that is MY definition of range, not necessarily how it might otherwise be defined; and yes, I will probably have to define octave later as well) will likely encounter changing from the lower parts or his/her range into the higher range. But simply, although, perhaps inaccurately, it refers to where a note resonates (low – chest; high – head).

I hope this helps, although, I suspect it only complicated matters.

[cherelann]

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Thank you so much My Alter Ego for your response. This is definitely a post that I will be rereading so I can better comprehend your detailed explanation. Could you give an example as it relates to Haley's music. Now I am off to Rhapsody to listen to Gregorian chants to see if I can spot the melismas...

[My Alter Ego]

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Thank you so much My Alter Ego for your response. This is definitely a post that I will be rereading so I can better comprehend your detailed explanation. Could you give an example as it relates to Haley's music. Now I am off to Rhapsody to listen to Gregorian chants to see if I can spot the melismas...

Well, Cherelann, the best and most recent example wherein Haley demonstates all three is when she reaches the chorus of "Free." She easily slips into her head voice there, on the word "Free. " There is a lovely vibrato just before she begins the melisma on the same syllable. Does that help?

[cherelann]

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Thank you so much My Alter Ego for your response. This is definitely a post that I will be rereading so I can better comprehend your detailed explanation. Could you give an example as it relates to Haley's music. Now I am off to Rhapsody to listen to Gregorian chants to see if I can spot the melismas...

Well, Cherelann, the best and most recent example wherein Haley demonstates all three is when she reaches the chorus of "Free." She easily slips into her head voice there, on the word "Free. " There is a lovely vibrato just before she begins the melisma on the same syllable. Does that help?

It certainly explains why the young people attempting covers don't sound very good, lol.


Does bending notes only apply to musicians or can this be applied to vocalists, too? I almost hate to ask questions but hopefully this will enhance listening pleasure...

[john]

Thanks for the post My Alter Ego. Good info.

[midnightblues]

Will will will

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Thank you so much My Alter Ego for your response. This is definitely a post that I will be rereading so I can better comprehend your detailed explanation. Could you give an example as it relates to Haley's music. Now I am off to Rhapsody to listen to Gregorian chants to see if I can spot the melismas...

Well, Cherelann, the best and most recent example wherein Haley demonstates all three is when she reaches the chorus of "Free." She easily slips into her head voice there, on the word "Free. " There is a lovely vibrato just before she begins the melisma on the same syllable. Does that help?

It certainly explains why the young people attempting covers don't sound very good, lol.


Does bending notes only apply to musicians or can this be applied to vocalists, too? I almost hate to ask questions but hopefully this will enhance listening pleasure...

Bending notes usually applies to stringed instruments such as the guitar. If you are on the fret board on the first string which is high E and if you came down to the third fret and wanted to play the A note you would bend your strings a. Full step if you did I halfstep it would give you G sharp or A flat. So bending strings is just an easier way of changing notes without having to go all over the fret board. I know my interpretation sucks but this is the best I could do for you. Btw. First string third fret is G LOL

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You bend the string to change the note.

[cherelann]

Thanks for the reply MNB (my abbreviation for Midnightblues from now on). Your answer was a little beyond my comprehension as I do not play an instrument but I kind of get the drift. I thought horn players bend notes, too, so I appreciate your feedback...

me trying to figure it out, hehe