Coloring (music)

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In music theory , coloration refers to certain ornamentation techniques . The term is borrowed from the technique of coloring in the fine arts.

• In the mensural notation of Renaissance music, coloring usually means the blackening of the noteheads , which enables the formation of triplets , time changes and hemiolus formation .
• The practice of decorating or coloring the cantus firmus gave the German organ players of the 16th century the nickname colorists .
• In singing , the ornamentation of the singing voice is called coloratura .