Yodel
A singing technique that constantly and rapidly switch between low pitch and high pitch
"Yodeling" is a vocal technique and style of singing that involves rapidly switching between the chest voice (or lower register) and the head voice (or higher register). It is characterized by quick and frequent changes in pitch and is often associated with mountainous regions and traditional folk music from countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and the United States.
Key features of yodeling include:
- Pitch Changes: Yodeling is known for its distinctive and rapid shifts in pitch. Singers alternate between their normal singing voice and a falsetto or head voice, creating a series of high and low notes.
- Echoing Sound: Yodeling often creates a distinctive echoing or bouncing sound due to the quick shifts between registers. This sound quality is well-suited to mountainous landscapes, where the echoes can be quite pronounced.
- Traditional Folk Music: Yodeling is a prominent feature of traditional folk music in Alpine and Appalachian regions. It has also been incorporated into various forms of country, Western, and bluegrass music.
- Cultural Significance: In the regions where yodeling is prevalent, it holds cultural and historical significance. It is often associated with shepherds and herders communicating across vast mountain ranges or as a form of entertainment during long, isolated periods.
- Variation by Region: Yodeling styles can vary significantly from region to region. Swiss yodeling, for example, differs from the Tyrolean yodeling found in Austria and Bavaria. American yodeling, as heard in country music, also has its unique variations.
- Modern Influence: Yodeling has had an influence on various musical genres, including country, Western swing, and even pop music. Some artists, such as Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers, incorporated yodeling into their songs.
- Vocal Skill: Effective yodeling requires a high level of vocal control and skill. Singers must be able to quickly and smoothly transition between chest and head voice, often with precise timing.
- Contemporary Performers: While yodeling is deeply rooted in traditional music, there are contemporary performers who incorporate yodeling into their music or explore yodeling as a unique vocal technique.
Yodeling is a vocal technique and style of singing characterized by rapid shifts in pitch between chest and head voice. It has historical and cultural significance in mountainous regions and traditional folk music but has also made its mark on various modern music genres. Yodeling's distinctive sound and technique continue to captivate audiences around the world.
Example of Yodel
Oesch's die Dritten - Jodelmedley
Terminology Information
Vocabulary Category
Related Terms
Dictionary
Other Terms
Tutor's Video (Miss Christy)
Tutors
Articles
G Song by Terry Riley
As an iconic American composer, Terry Riley (born 1935) is always considered as a minimalist. However, this kind of thoughts would be ignoring part of his creativity. In fact, Riley added plenty elements in his compositions since 1970s, especially when he started collaborating with the Kronos Quartet. Riley’s composing style is very extensive, including improvisation, polyrhythm and jazz. He adopted classical elements, such as instrumentation, musical forms, structure and tonality. He also combined the elements from different periods to create unique musical textures. This research focuses on Terry Riley’s String Quartet, G Song. The research will be divided into two parts. The first part introduces Riley’s life and the background of G Song. The second part focuses on music analysis, including the musical structure “Two forms in one work”; The harmony “Unresolved Dissonance”; The rhythm “Metric Modulation”; The baroque “Canon”; The modern “Pointillism”. The purpose of this study is to discuss how Riley combined classicism and modernism into a work, and discuss why the statement “Terry Riley is considered as minimalist” would be ignoring part of his story.
The Greatest Violinist: Jascha Heifetz
More than a century after his public debut, the name Jascha Heifetz continues to evoke awe and excitement among fellow musicians. In a performing career that spanned 65 years, he established an unparalleled standard of violin playing to which violinists around the world still aspire.
Canon in D
Canon in D, one of the most widely known classical music pieces of contemporary times, is composed by German composer Johann Pachelbel. The original version of Canon in D is composed for three violins, accompanied by one (or more) bass instrument(s). Over time, the piece has been arranged into various versions, such as piano solo and orchestral versions. The exact date of its composition is not recorded but it is generally believed to be composed between 1680-1706.