discant

9.9

A high musical part that is often improvised and played above the main melody

noun
/dɪsˈkænt/

Archaic

: discanto

She improvised a lively discant that soared above the main melody.

Examples

The choir added a beautiful discant to the plainchant, enriching the performance.
The choir added a beautiful discant to the main melody.
In medieval music, the discant part often showcased the composer's creativity.
In medieval music, a discant often enhanced the vocal lines.
In medieval music, the discant part often showcased the composer's creativity.
She improvised a lively discant that soared above the main melody.
The choir added a beautiful discant to the plainchant, enriching the performance.

Synonyms

accompaniment

vsdiscant

9 5.1

A musical part that supports a singer or solo instrument

focuses more narrowly on an improvised decorative line above the main melody

descant

vsdiscant

Specialized

1 9.5

A high extra melody sung above the main tune

is the same but used especially in medieval and Renaissance polyphony

Surface Forms

discant singular

discants plural

Etymology

Discant comes from the Latin parts dis- ('apart') and cantare ('to sing') and is linked to the English word chant. It originally meant singing 'apart' or above the main tune, so a discant is a decorative singing part that sits over the basic melody.