Journal Article

Applying Elements of Spoken Prosody to Sung Expression

Manternach, Brian

2025

Overview

SYLLABIC STRESS In her textbook Speech and Voice Science, author, professor, and speechlanguage pathologist Alison Behrman highlights the \"basic building blocks of prosody,\" one of which is syllabic stress. According to Behrman's definition, when executing emphasized syllables in speech, we tend to use a higher pitch (f0) than we do with unemphasized syllables.4 We also use greater intensity or loudness, and longer duration on emphasized syllables. Since the first syllable receives the emphasis, speakers are likely to assign that syllable a higher pitch, greater intensity, and slightly longer duration. By placing the unemphasized syllable \"-de\" on the weaker fourth beat of the measure, lesser intensity than the first syllable is similarly implied. [...]Schubert uses explicit pitch contour (by raising the pitch of the emphasized syllable) and implied intensity contour (by placing the emphasized syllable on a strong rhythmic beat in the measure) to assist the vocalist in interpreting von Schober's text: \"Du holde.\" At the end of the opening melodic phrase, Schubert once again uses explicit pitch contour and implied intensity contour on the word \"Stunden\" (Example 1, m. 6). Since both syllables are written on quarter notes, there is no difference in duration.

• Publisher: National Association of Teachers of Singing
• Subject: Acoustics / Communication / Composers / Lyricists / Musical performances / Rhythm / Singers / Speaking