Originally Posted by B.D.Thomas
Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
We’ve followed the advent and use of synth vocals via the user forum where some increasingly remarkable examples are being posted. Out of technical curiosity … Janice is a melismatic singer (note bending) and we have not yet heard an example of that with synth vocals. So the question is can a synth vocal be programmed to turn a syllable into say three continuous notes? We’ve always called this “bent note singing” (common in blues and country) but I thought folks might be more familiar with the tech term - melisma. Thanks.

Bud
Here's a short excerpt for your enjoyment.
It's a bit tricky because it's not easy to analyze by ear from/to which notes Janice bends in which time. I guess with tools like Praat it's way less work, but if you'd write a new song you would have to do it by ear anyway.
And my voice is not bluesy. And the processing chain is different.
But you get the idea:

Link: Janice ft. Natalie - Soul Stealer

Well that was interesting! Thanks for doing that. So Janice makes an appearance with Natalie. smile

There is a bit of sliding on your selected phrase for sure but, for example, Janice's word "soul" at the end of V1 is one syllable turned into five.
We have no idea what the notes are as Janice makes it up on the go. And often she sings each verse or chorus somewhat differently. Her vocals are nearly always one take and I've never even looked at one of her vocals in a pitch editor -- she might make it explode! Vocal jamming might be a good term.

We can't even imagine how you can program in individual notes for those synths. Janice can read music as she played clarinet in high school in the 70's but sight reading, etc., is something we never use for our music creations. Janice just now commented that after reading your response she is even more impressed by the effort it must take for your creations.

Melismatic singing is prevalent in a lot of blues and some jazz. And even some of the famous big band singers (which Janice listened to in childhood) would do it on occasion and as mentioned above the country singer George Jones made it his signature. We played in bluegrass bands for years and melismatic phrasing is also used by some artists of that genre. So she is steeped in it.

Thanks for your interest,

Bud

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