What are word-music relationships?

Answer 1

Beyond defying a traditional approach of absolute music (in where music represents nothing other than itself) words do not only add to the atmosphere of program music, but can be used as linguistic instruments in cooperation with the voice itself. Today, vocal music reigns supreme with its instrumental counterpart not seeing the same success. So it can be seen that most view words as the ultimate form of expression therefore it is also a vehicle to more clearly and efficiently declare whichever message an artist chooses to convey. This is known as lyricism, though there are many artists today who choose to ignore this in favour of senseless words with disjointed meanings or no meanings at all.

If you are speaking about Music Theory, the regimented order is as such:

Syllabic: One note of music per syllable of text

Neumatic: Two notes of music per syllable of text

Melismatic: Multiple (more than two) notes of music per syllable of text.