# Is There A Word For This Vocal Technique? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 9, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163 "2014-11-09T17:13:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/21 "2014-11-11T02:13:36Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > I think you’re fixating on the specific example. The question the OP had was about how…Perhaps the OP could clarify whether he means this specific rhythmic pattern or the more general idea of rapid, clipped wordplay. Well, if I’ve misunderstood the OP then I certainly apologize. But, I mean, he specifically pointed out the three instances in which triplets are used (0:14, 0:19, and 1:27). Personally, I think his use of the phrase “clipping” was merely a layman’s way of describing what he was hearing (no offense to the OP!). **WordMan** , I’m a professional music director/pianist/composer who makes his living in NYC, mostly in the world of musical theatre. Definitely not omniscient or trying to toot my own horn, but yes, I’ve been making music for a long time now and I love talking about it with others! ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/22 "2014-11-11T03:13:31Z")
> [@DooWahDiddy](#): > > Well, if I’ve misunderstood the OP then I certainly apologize. But, I mean, he specifically pointed out the three instances in which triplets are used (0:14, 0:19, and 1:27). Personally, I think his use of the phrase “clipping” was merely a layman’s way of describing what he was hearing (no offense to the OP!). It is, of course, impossible that I am the one who misunderstood. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/23 "2014-11-11T11:22:36Z")
> [@DooWahDiddy](#): > > Well, if I’ve misunderstood the OP then I certainly apologize. But, I mean, he specifically pointed out the three instances in which triplets are used (0:14, 0:19, and 1:27). Personally, I think his use of the phrase “clipping” was merely a layman’s way of describing what he was hearing (no offense to the OP!). > > **WordMan** , I’m a professional music director/pianist/composer who makes his living in NYC, mostly in the world of musical theatre. Definitely not omniscient or trying to toot my own horn, but yes, I’ve been making music for a long time now and I love talking about it with others! Very cool - that explains it. And yeah, pretty clear that folks like you and **fachverwirrt** know a bit about music 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/24 "2014-11-11T18:42:13Z")
> [@DooWahDiddy](#): > > Well, if I’ve misunderstood the OP then I certainly apologize. But, I mean, he specifically pointed out the three instances in which triplets are used (0:14, 0:19, and 1:27). Personally, I think his use of the phrase “clipping” was merely a layman’s way of describing what he was hearing (no offense to the OP!). I’m **so** offended. Just kidding. I’m just a layman trying valiantly to describe what I’m hearing to an audience who knows what I’m talking about when I sure as hell don’t. Nevertheless, this has been a fascinating discussion. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/25 "2014-11-11T18:44:50Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Perhaps the OP could clarify whether he means this specific rhythmic pattern or the more general idea of rapid, clipped wordplay. I’m talking about the more general idea of rapid, clipped wordplay. It’s employed in Hip Hop quite a bit - Snoop is master of it - and right now I’m trying valiantly to bring up another example, just so someone who knows what the hell I’m talking about can explain to me what the hell I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/26 "2014-11-11T18:53:36Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I’m talking about the more general idea of rapid, clipped wordplay. It’s employed in Hip Hop quite a bit - Snoop is master of it - and right now I’m trying valiantly to bring up another example, just so someone who knows what the hell I’m talking about can explain to me what the hell I’m talking about. Something like this: [Blues Traveler](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdz5kCaCRFM&t=3m5s)? ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/27 "2014-11-11T23:28:31Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Something like this: [Blues Traveler](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdz5kCaCRFM&t=3m5s)? Ooh, good example. ETA: Every time I hear “The Hook,” I’m reminded of this comedy bit: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM) ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/28 "2014-11-12T17:51:57Z")
Yeah, I think “patter” is about the closest you’re going to get. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/29 "2014-11-12T18:28:38Z")
**fachverwirrt** now that I have your attention, how do I pronounce your username? In my head it’s FOSH-vair-vert. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/30 "2014-11-12T18:41:27Z")
['fax-fə-viɐt]. Of course, if you don’t read IPA, that’s probably not helpful. The first syllable rhymes with Bach, where the “ch” is a velar fricative, typical of German, Hebrew, and the Scottish “loch”. The “v” is pronounced “f”, and the “w” is pronounced “v”. I typically drop my trailing Rs when I speak German, although the second one is replaced by the allophone [ɐ], which is very similar to the English “uh”. It’s very quick and subtle. You could also roll those Rs or do a typical German uvular R if you wanted. It is actually astonishingly hard to describe phonetics in text. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163/31 "2014-11-12T18:51:37Z")
Here, how about a [recording](https://app.box.com/s/lq6a5sek4naab78yvgk7). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-this-vocal-technique/704163.md?page=1)