# Spoken Word — Vocal Style

> Talking, not singing. Rhythmic but not melodic. Poetry over music.

## What it is
Words spoken (not sung). May be rhythmic but not melodic.

## Sub-types
- **Pure spoken word** — poetry over music (Ginsberg, Bukowski recordings)
- **Rap** — rhythmic spoken (see rap-flow.md)
- **Talking blues** — Bob Dylan style storytelling
- **Sprechgesang** — between speaking and singing (German Lieder, Schoenberg)
- **Recitation** — formal poem reading
- **Voice-over** — narrative

## Famous practitioners
- **Spoken word**: Allen Ginsberg, Saul Williams, Kae Tempest
- **Talking blues**: Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie
- **Sprechgesang**: Arnold Schoenberg ("Pierrot Lunaire")
- **Modern**: Kanye West interludes, Tyler the Creator
- **Slam poetry**: tradition of competitive performance

## When to use
- Poetry-driven moments
- Storytelling without melody
- Spoken intro / outro
- Bridge contrast (spoken vs sung)
- Specific cultural traditions
- Rap / hip-hop (most common modern form)

## Production
- Vocal forward
- Reverb (atmospheric)
- Often dry (intimate)
- Rhythm matches music
- Beat or atmospheric backing

## For Suno
```
[Vocals: spoken word poetry, female voice, intimate delivery over 
atmospheric music, dry close-mic]
```

```
[Vocals: spoken word male, rhythmic storytelling style, 
beat poetry tradition]
```

## Differences from rap
- Rap has more rhythmic sophistication, internal rhymes
- Spoken word can be free / non-rhythmic
- Both share rhythmic delivery roots
