Melisma.
From Wikipedia....Melisma, in music, is the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession. Music sung in this style is referred to as melismatic, as opposed to syllabic, where each syllable of text is matched to a single note.
Latest, most newsworthy, case of melisma run amuck....
Christina Aquilera.
John Eskow has written a wonderful piece on the subject.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-eskow/christina-aguilera-and-th_b_819979.html
Aspiring wordsmith that I am, I was especially charmed by his "she kidnapped the song and shipped it out to be tortured.."
Three pointer from the floor and nothing but net, there, John.
And now, I have two new, perfectly crafted, words to employ when that often discussed subject once again pops up in conversation with peers, colleagues and friends.
Oversouling.
Melisma.
And while polite debate can, obviously, argue the placement of blame for the modern revival of their abuse from Aretha to Ray to Mariah to Whitney and back again, I stand pretty solidly behind my own assertion that the real, however well intended, culprit in the contamination of the warbling water supply was Sam Harris, Star Search, Class of 83.
Whoever and whenever notwithstanding, one thing remains arguably certain.
It pretty much amounts to musical masturbation.
As in, they may be getting off, but we're not.
Mixed company being what it is, though, a more discreet term is indicated.
Turns out there is one.
Melisma.
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