vocalise

¹ American  

[voh-kuh-leez] / ˌvoʊ kəˈliz /

noun

1. a musical composition consisting of the singing of melody with vowel sounds or nonsense syllables rather than text, as for special effect in classical compositions, in polyphonic jazz singing by special groups, or in virtuoso vocal exercises.

2. any such singing exercise or vocalized melody.

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vocalise ² American  

[voh-kuh-lahyz] / ˈvoʊ kəˌlaɪz /

verb (used with or without object)

vocalised, vocalising

1. Chiefly British. vocalize.

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vocalise British  

/ ˌvəʊkəˈliːz /

noun

1. a musical passage sung upon one vowel as an exercise to develop flexibility and control of pitch and tone; solfeggio

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Etymology

Origin of vocalise

1870–75; < French vocalise, apparently noun derivative of vocaliser to vocalize, with -ise taken as a noun suffix ( see -ise ²)

Example Sentences

Against Forest, the visiting fans continued to vocalise their views of the biggest sporting sanction meted out in Premier League history.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2023

The gesture takes form next, in “A Weeping of Doves,” as wailing vocalise; and is subtler in “Night-Shining Clouds,” as the slowly sloping sheen of harmonics in the strings.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2023

Those composers include some from Luther’s time and some from our time, and instrumental chorale preludes appear in Swingle Singers-like vocalise, without the insistent perkiness.

From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2017

He says many politicians suffer from voice problems, but they can combat overuse by practicing breathing techniques to help them vocalise more effectively.

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2017

This is true, whether the student sings an exercise, a vocalise, a song, or an aria.

From The Psychology of Singing A Rational Method of Voice Culture Based on a Scientific Analysis of All Systems, Ancient and Modern by Taylor, David C. (David Clark)