Types of Vocal Style
1. Opera - a large stage work, orchestral with singing.
2. Aria - a solo song sung in an opera, performed by the main characters with orchestral accompaniment.
3. Oratorio - a dramatic piece of music with no acting.
4. Motet - a sacred choral work from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, often sung in three parts (no bass).
5. Madrigal - a secular version of the motet. A part song usually unaccompanied and polyphonic.
6. Cantata - a sacred or secular vocal piece with accompaniment (sometimes orchestral), including contrasting sections of recitative duets and arias.
7. Mass - a musical setting of set texts (kyrie, gloria, credo, benedictus, agnus dei) for choir.
8. Requiem - a mass for the dead.
9. Lied - a German romantic song with piano accompaniment.
10. Symphonic poem - an orchestral piece that depicts a story or scene.
11. A Capella – unaccompanied vocal piece.
12. Recitative - Vocalist half-sings and half-speaks in opera.
13. Plainchant - Unaccompanied and sung by monks.
14. Folk Music - Songs sung about rural life. Often accompanied by fiddles, or accordions, or sung unaccompanied.
15. Musical – a staged play, in a pop/jazz style.
16. Hymn – sung in church services.
17. Scat singing – eg. ‘doo-bee-do’ etc.
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