sprechgesang

American  

[shprekh-guh-zahng] / ˈʃprɛx gəˌzɑŋ /

noun

1. a vocal style intermediate between speech and singing but without exact pitch intonation.

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sprechgesang British  

/ ˈʃprɛçɡəzaŋ /

noun

1. music a type of vocalization between singing and recitation in which the voice sings the beginning of each note and then falls rapidly from the notated pitch. It was originated by Arnold Schoenberg, who used it in Pierrot Lunaire (1912)

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Etymology

Origin of sprechgesang

< German, equivalent to sprech ( en ) to speak + Gesang song

Example Sentences

As a frontwoman, she developed her own style – a droll mixture of sprechgesang and her fluttering, airy upper register.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2025

Coming in hot after a year of singing lessons, Strange Angels sees Anderson swapping her signature sprechgesang for full-blown song.

From The Guardian • May 6, 2020

And, of course, we call Tyler, the Creator a “rapper,” but dating back to the Odd Future era, he’s been doing more sprechgesang and sonic collage than bar dropping.

From Slate • Dec. 21, 2019

Unsurprisingly, sprechgesang did not come about as a means to enable scratchy indie bands to make their audiences feel uncomfortable.

From The Guardian • Oct. 31, 2019

Anthony Andrews just about pulls off Rex Harrison's sprechgesang and his irritable, Basil Fawlty-ish air.

From The Guardian • Jul. 15, 2012