"Singing without articulation" refers to the style of vocalization where a singer produces sounds or vocalizes lyrics without clear enunciation or distinct pronunciation of the words. This technique is often employed in certain genres of music, such as opera, classical, jazz, and scat singing.
When singers perform without articulation, they prioritize the melodic and tonal aspects of the music over delivering the lyrics with clarity. Instead of emphasizing the intelligibility of the words, they focus on the musicality, expression, and emotional delivery of the vocal lines. As a result, the lyrics become secondary to the overall aesthetic and artistic interpretation.
Singing without articulation can involve various vocal techniques such as melisma, where a singer decorates or embellishes a single syllable or note with a series of rapid, intricate melodic variations. This technique adds complexity and richness to the vocal performance while sacrificing the clear articulation of words.
Additionally, singers may employ vocalizations or non-lexical vocal sounds, such as vocal improvisations or using abstract vocalizations like humming, scatting, or vocables, which are nonsensical syllables or wordless vocalizations. These techniques allow singers to express themselves in a more abstract and flexible manner, relying on the expressive capabilities of their voice rather than the literal meaning of the words.
Overall, singing without articulation is a deliberate choice made by singers to prioritize the musical and emotive qualities of a vocal performance over the clarity of the lyrics.
