MELISMA-RIFFS AND RUNS
The last time I shared something on music, i talked about dynamics as one of the expressive elements of music, I mentioned that its communicate a particular emotional state or feeling in a musical piece when it is applied, so today we will be talking about RIFFS AND RUNS, which is a good example of DYNAMICS
WHAT IS RIFFS AND RUNS
Otherwise known as MELISMA, Vocal riffs and runs are melodies added by a vocalist to enhance the expression and emotional intensity of the song, or I will simply put it's dynamics.
They're differences between RIFFS AND RUNS, the vocal riff is usually added for emphasis, or as a stylistic or the choice of the vocalist, while a run is part of the music, written as part of the melodic notes.
Riffs and runs are completely different; a “run” is created spontaneously, it's a “run of notes” (generally pentatonic scale) while a “riff” is a repeated melodic ideas. Vocal runs, since they are usually based on a scale, often possess small intervals between notes (tones or semi-tones) but a riff could choose to have any kind of intervals.
With vocal runs, there would usually be some kind of uniformity with the rhythm notes used eg. lots of semi-quavers like in an operatic run. But a riff could have a lot of different rhythms in it.
RUNS
Let's use the diagram above as a example. The well-stacked books describe a RUN, which tends to follow a well designed path (pentatonic scale) ; from a lower octave of Doh (black colored capital letters) , going up to Lah and then coming back again (red colored small letters).
Doing a run is like going up a step and then
coming down again, it's well structured but it can be improvised. (A run can become a riff).
RIFFS
While riffs doesn't have a restriction, it's doesn't follow a certain pattern, like the diagram above, it's not well-stacked. A riff could take on many forms; it could also be based on a scale and could have a lot of different rhythms in it.
Its could also have larger intervals than what you would usually expect in a run.
Mitchcanter
It's like an heartbeat of a dying patient
To the best of my knowledge, the best vocal riffs and runs are done to truly deepen the emotion and not just to show off. You will be known for extraordinary riffs, runs or melisma when you can hit every note with precision and ease (no strain or muscle tension), regardless of tempo. This, along with knowing when to use them musically, is the hallmark of a professional vocalist. When learning how to riff or when working on expanding your melodic vocabulary, it is best to listen to good singers and practice what they are doing.
Most of the interesting singers who uses Riffs and Runs today are in the gospel field, the likes of Smokie Norful and Pastor Kim Burrell are great vocalists you would love to listen to. The likes of Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole who effortlessly sang gospel, jazz, blues and pop all effectively while using unique melismas that characterized each song in a unique way are singers to gospel singers to watch out for. They are alot of them, that should be your assignment, check up the one that is couple with your voice and learn from them.
Next time we will learn HOW TO SING RIFFS AND RUNS...
THANKS FOR READING 🙋🙌🙋😍
Riff and run help me wen I can't hit a high note lolz