tessiture

Tessitura is an Italian term used in two main domains: textiles and music. The plural tessiture appears when referring to multiple instances of the concept.

In textiles, tessitura denotes the weave or fabric structure. It describes how warp and weft threads are interlaced to produce texture, strength, and drape. Different weaves—such as plain, twill, or satin—give fabrics distinct tactile and visual qualities. The term can also imply the overall texture or composition of a fabric rather than its color or pattern alone.

In music, tessitura refers to the typical and most comfortable vocal or instrumental range for a part or piece. It indicates where the majority of notes lie, rather than solely the highest or lowest pitch. A work with a high tessitura generally sustains notes toward the upper end of the instrument’s or singer’s range, while a low tessitura centers around the lower part of the range. The concept influences casting and performance demands, since a piece with a high tessitura can be more challenging for singers with limited upper range, and a low tessitura can stress lower registers. The tessitura of a given part is assessed by analyzing the distribution of pitches throughout the music.

Origin and usage: the word derives from Italian tessitura, from tessere meaning to weave. In addition to its musical sense, it retains its textile meaning in modern usage, and in musicology it describes how a line or voice sits within a given range.