Text Setting (Melismatic vs. Syllabic)
Text setting refers to the number of pitches sung per syllable of text. Everyday speech is syllabic, using just one pitch per syllable. Speech that includes a change in the inflection of the voice, as frequently occurs in tonal languages, is still considered syllabic. If a vocalist frequently uses melisma, then the text setting of his or her vocal delivery is described as melismatic, meaning that more than one pitch corresponds to each syllable of text. Characterizing a vocal performance as melismatic is somewhat subjective, usually describing the degree to which melismatic singing occurs. Think of the text setting in a vocal performance as a continuum, with strictly syllabic singing at the bottom and purely melismatic singing at the top.
