Oversinging

Oversinging describes the concept of "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. 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 more of the following:

• Belting to an extreme by singing too loud by pushing one's singing voice "too much" (straining), or singing into a higher or lower range than is comfortable for one's voice (beyond one's useful vocal range).
• Excessive use of runs, whoops, and vocal falsettos melisma.

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"^[1], 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".^[2] This will imply melisma, and is described by Hollywood vocal coach Roger Burnley as "using too many riffs, runs, and embellishments in their singing". ^[3]

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

Critique

Many complain that contestants in shows like Idol tend to oversing, and blame some of the most prominent American female singers for inspiring them.^[4][5]

Beyoncé Knowles, Céline Dion, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera are well known for their heavy use of melisma and belting, and they have all been criticized for oversinging themselves.^[6][7][8]

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.

References

1. ^ "Sing dramatically". The Voice Teacher.
2. ^ "Vocal gymnastics" Urban_Dictionary.
3. ^ "The Scourge Of 'American Idol': Oversingers".MTV.
4. ^ "The Scourge Of 'American Idol': Oversingers".MTV.
5. ^ "You're no Mariah". St._Petersburg_Times.
6. ^ "‘Oversinging’ style creates awful earfuls". The_News_Tribune.
7. ^ "Genie at Full Throttle". Entertainment Weekly.
8. ^ ""OVERSINGING" STYLE CREATES AWFUL EARFULS". The Mariah Carey Archives.