Runs

Runs or running is a music slang term for adlibbing and expanding on a musical note with one's voice. For example, a lyric may call for you to sing: I love you. Putting a run on the same lyric would sound like, I looooove yooooouuu ooooohhhhhh.

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A run can be smooth or a vibrato. It usually is executed with a full breath behind it. A vibrato run is usually associated with African-American singers, R&B and soul music. A smooth run is usually associated with Broadway tunes.

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A great vibrato runner is Patti Labelle.

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A great smooth runner is Judy Garland.

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Runs is also a slang term (American and British) for diarrhoea. It comes from the necessity to run to the toilet when the aforementioned strikes.

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