Oversinging

Oversinging is "singing too much", or simply overdoing the singing.

The meaning

Oversinging is not a word found in common dictionaries, but it is a well-known phenomenon.[1][2] Using an oversimplified example one could say that a singer oversings by "singing too much", as an actor overacts by "acting too much".

There are different opinions on what oversinging implies, though it usually implies one or both of the following:

Oversinging has two meanings. One is a technical understanding, where oversinging is understood as "pushing the voice", and "is when a singer pushes too much breath pressure through the larynx",[3] which is known as overblowing of the vocal folds. The result is over-production of sound.

The other meaning is what is known as "vocal gymnastics".[4] This will imply melisma, and is described by Hollywood vocal coach Roger Burnley as "using too many riffs, runs, and embellishments in their singing".[2]

Singers who try to impress, and show off their vocal abilities, often turn to this kind of oversinging.

When asked about oversinging, professor and voice instructor Melinda Imthurn writes:

Since oversinging is not a technical term, it's hard to define. To one person it might mean pushing the voice beyond healthy singing technique, while to another it might mean embellishing a song too much, sometimes to the point where the melody is no longer recognizable.[5]

Critique

A woman facing the right singing
A blonde woman wearing a white shirt
Whitney Houston (left) and Mariah Carey (right) are noted for oversinging.[2][5]

Many complain that contestants in shows such as Idol tend to oversing,[6] and blame some of the most prominent American female singers for inspiring them.[2][7] Some say it has been a rising trend following the many singing contests that started appearing in the early 2000,[1][2] especially in the United States.[8]

Reba McIntire, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, JoJo, and Céline Dion are well known for their heavy use of melisma and belting, and they have all been criticized for oversinging.[2][5][9] This criticism is mainly focused on too much "vocal gymnastics" which some feel degrades the artistic merits of the song,[10] and not necessarily that they strain their voices too much.

While [Roger] Burnley believes all of those divas to be oversingers in their own right, [Hollywood vocal coach, Chrys] Page argues the opposite. "They don't oversing, but some young hopefuls, trying to sound exactly like those artists, consistently do it because they haven't yet found their own voice and style," she said.[2]

When amateurs on shows like Idol are criticized for oversinging it can be both because they do too much "vocal gymnastics" and that they strain their voice beyond their vocal capability when trying to mimic famous singers with far greater vocal ranges and training.

Professional opera singer Sarah-Jane Dale on Whitney Houston's use of melisma: "You can't do it without proper breath control, and that's the one thing that Whitney Houston had bags of. Let's face it, singers like that do not come along every week."[4]

Vocal damage

Straining the singing voice, for instance by using belting without proper coordination, can lead to forcing, which in turn can cause vocal deterioration, known as fatigue of the vocal cords, or vocal fatigue. Straining the voice can lead the development of vocal nodules, a form of scarring on the vocal chords caused by strenuous or abusive voice practices. Professional singers on extended tours with tight schedules run a substantial risk of damaging their voices unless they make sure to rest the vocal cords and get enough sleep and proper diet.[11][12]

Some famous singers known to have developed vocal nodules are Luciano Pavarotti, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Freddie Mercury (who refused to have surgery out of fear that it would permanently damage his voice) and Joss Stone.[13][14]

Singers known to have their vocal nodules surgically treated are Justin Timberlake, Adele, Björk, Shirley Manson, Keith Urban, John Mayer and Rod Stewart.[11][13][15][16][17] Julie Andrews is well known for her singing voice being permanently damaged by the surgery. Elton John is notable for having vocal surgery, as it caused his voice to significantly deepen.

References

  1. 1 2 Hebert, Chris (Jan–Feb 2003). May, Lorin, ed. "The Harmonizer Jan-Feb 2003" (PDF). The Harmonizer (United States) 63 (1): 16–19. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Moss, Corey (February 6, 2006). "The Scourge Of 'American Idol': Oversingers". MTV. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  3. ↑ Jones, David L. "Sing dramatically Without Pushing the Voice". The Voice Teacher. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Everitt, Lauren (February 15, 2012). "Whitney Houston and the art of melisma". BBC News Magazine. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "Wo-o-o, whoa: Stop oversinging!". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas, United States: Gary Wortel. March 26, 2007. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  6. ↑ Grant-Williams, Renee. "Singing on American Idol". Renee Grant-Williams. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  7. ↑ Daly, Sean (August 3, 2006). "You're no Mariah". Tampa Bay Times. United States. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  8. ↑ Grant-Williams, Renee (March 25, 2010). "Grant-Williams Bemoans Over-Singing Epidemic". MusicRow. United States. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Technical Virtuosity confused with Quality". Arizona Daily Star. August 22, 2003. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  10. ↑ Willman, Chris (December 11, 2000). "Genie at Full Throttle". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  11. 1 2 C. McKINLEY Jr., JAMES (November 18, 2011). "Advances in Medicine Lead Stars to Surgery". The New York Times. New York, United States. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  12. ↑ Hodge, Cheryl (2008). A Singer's Guide for the Well-Trained & Powerful Voice. United States: Cheryl Hodge.
  13. 1 2 Parsons, Aubrey (March 2008). "Taking Care Of Your Voice". Performing Musician. Cambridge, United Kingdom. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  14. ↑ Sheridan, Peter (14 October 2007). "Joss Stone's 'diva' tendencies could ruin career, say ex-managers". Daily Mail. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  15. ↑ Connelly, Chris; Soichet, Aude (January 9, 2012). "From Adele to Kiss' Paul Stanley: Why Are So Many Award-Winning Singers Undergoing Vocal Cord Surgery?". ABC News. New York City, United States. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  16. ↑ Snapes, Laura (November 21, 2012). "Björk Undergoes Successful Laser Treatment for Vocal Cord Nodules". Pitchfork. Chicago, United States. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  17. ↑ Ganz, Caryn (May 2005). "Q&A Shirley Manson". SPIN (SPIN Media LLC): 28. ISSN 0886-3032.
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