Scansion & Text-Setting
Chapter heading text.
Scansion
The process of analyzing text to determine which syllables are accented is called scansion.
Ăs shówn ĭn thís séntĕnce, scánsĭon ĭs óftĕn nótătĕd by̆ úsĭng ăcúte (´) ănd bréve (˘) sýmbŏls tŏ shŏw áccĕntĕd ănd únăccĕntĕd sýllăblĕs, rĕspéctĭvely̆. Scansion can be dependent on different pronunciations, and whether or not a syllable is accented can be subjective depending on the listener.
Metered poetry features short rhythmic cells called feet which are repeated in groups of consistent length called poetic meter.
Text-Setting
Text-setting is the process of assigning text to rhythm — and often melody — to create lyrics.
When setting texts, accepted syllables can be portrayed by any type of accent: metrical, agogic, dynamic or tonal.
Agogic accents can sometimes be portrayed with melismas, where a single syllable is sung over more than one note.
Rests can be used effectively when setting texts to provide meaningful emphasis to elements of the text, as well as to provide the singer time to breathe or rest.
Text painting involves portraying meaning in the text through the rhythm, melody, dynamics or other musical characteristics.
Notating Lyrics
In staff notation, lyrics are generally written below the staff, with syllables centered under ther their corresponding notes. Dynamics and other musical directions are placed above the staff to reduce crowding.
Multisyllabic words are hyphenated, and lyrics under melismas and tied notes use word extensions to emphasize their length. Melismas are also denoted in the music with slurs.
In braille music notation, lyrics are written on a separate line above the music line, using hyphenation to show how the text corresponds to the notes in the melody. Melismas are indicated in the music line with slur symbols connecting each note.
Section Title
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Example of scale degrees: 1, 2, 3
Example of accidentals: F, Bb, C natural, Abb, D##
Notes: F#, Bb, C natural, Abb, D##
Form notation: ABC, A''', ||:A:||.
Example of a Zotero citation.
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The following figure has uncopyrighted audio hosted locally, a braille download and a MusicXML download.
The following figure has copyrighted audio linked to YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music.
Scansion & Text-Setting: Summary
- A summary of a main point in the lesson.
- A detail about that point.
- Another detail.
- Another summary of a concept in the lesson.