ARTICLE
from the
Encyclopædia Britannica
vocal music,
any of the genres for solo voice and voices in combination, with or without instrumental accompaniment. It includes monophonic music (having a single line of melody) and polyphonic music (consisting of more than one simultaneous melody). This article deals with Western art music preserved in staff notation, either for a single solo voice or for voices in unison, and briefly discusses the differences between Western and non-Western traditions. It excludes the complex forms of opera, oratorio, cantata, mass, and requiem, in which solo singing is frequently combined with choral music. The earliest written examples date from the 10th century, prior to which music was transmitted principally by oral tradition.
Aspects of the topic vocal music are discussed in the following places at Britannica.
Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
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vocal music - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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A term that refers to the wide variety of music composed for the voice, vocal music can be written for one or more voices alone or scored for the human voice and one or more instruments. It can be monophonic (a single line of melody) or polyphonic (two or more melodic lines). It can be modest and personal in its emotional expression, as are many sacred works and art songs, or lavish and extroverted, as in operas and musicals.
The topic vocal music is discussed at the following external Web sites.
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