Run Ornament: A musical embellishment involving a rapid succession of notes, often spanning a scale or part of a scale, designed to add expressiveness and flair to a melody.
Context and Significance
Run ornaments are integral to various musical styles, including classical, jazz, and modern pop. They are prevalent in vocal performances and instrumental solos, where they enhance melodic lines with speed and agility. Singers often use runs to showcase vocal prowess, particularly in genres like R&B and gospel. Instrumentalists, such as pianists and guitarists, incorporate runs to create dynamic and lively passages, adding complexity and excitement to their performances.
Historical Background
The use of run ornaments can be traced back to the Baroque period, where composers like Johann Sebastian Bach employed them to embellish melodic lines. These embellishments became a staple in Western classical music, evolving through the Romantic era. Over time, run ornaments transcended classical boundaries, becoming a hallmark of virtuosic display in various music genres. Their adaptability has allowed them to remain a relevant and cherished technique throughout music history.
Examples
In Handel’s Messiah, run ornaments are frequently used to add excitement and depth to choral and solo vocal parts. In modern music, artists like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston are renowned for their intricate vocal runs, demonstrating the ornament’s enduring appeal. In instrumental music, guitarists such as Steve Vai use runs to create fast, technical passages that captivate audiences with their precision and speed.
Related Terms
Melisma: A single syllable sung over multiple notes.
Trill: A rapid alternation between two adjacent notes.
Glissando: A continuous slide upwards or downwards between notes.