Oversinging - The Meaning

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 both 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", 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". This will imply melisma, and is described by Hollywood vocal coach Roger Burnley as "using too many riffs, runs, and embellishments in their singing".

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.