I learned a lot from this post! When Emily and I sang in a world music choir, we learned Eastern European and Balkan music that emphasized frequent voice breaks. The female vocal style in some of those folk traditions is thinner and higher in the throat, which makes it easier to force frequent breaks. I sang in that style a lot and really enjoyed the challenge, but I wouldn’t have been able to articulate what I was doing before :)
Yes, the Balkan folk songs are another great example of yodeling. Thank you so much for sharing the link! (Btw, I don’t know if you followed the links to the Norwegian and Swiss yodels, but so sang the Norwegian piece with a choir many years ago and just love it.)
Thanks for this! I’m a middle aged man, love listening to music, and this essay made me realize I’ve gotten to this stage of my life not knowing how either singing nor my own voice work! I love how there is no shortage of things to learn about in this world and how everything is fascinating if you pay enough attention.
Ranger Doug, Idol of American Youth, and "How the Yodel Was Born": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2N7NZVkKBg
Oh that was terrific—hilarious, and also a very impressive example of yodeling technique and breath control! Thanks for sharing!
I learned a lot from this post! When Emily and I sang in a world music choir, we learned Eastern European and Balkan music that emphasized frequent voice breaks. The female vocal style in some of those folk traditions is thinner and higher in the throat, which makes it easier to force frequent breaks. I sang in that style a lot and really enjoyed the challenge, but I wouldn’t have been able to articulate what I was doing before :)
I love Laboratorium Pieśni’s yodeling style: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wkxKfDmKzrk
Wow, that was just a stunning piece—gorgeous, unearthly beauty. Thank you, Sarah.
Yes, the Balkan folk songs are another great example of yodeling. Thank you so much for sharing the link! (Btw, I don’t know if you followed the links to the Norwegian and Swiss yodels, but so sang the Norwegian piece with a choir many years ago and just love it.)
The first thing I think of when I hear "yodel" is Roy Rogers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u00Y11x16V0
Just listened—so fun! And virtuosic too!
Yes! Thanks for the link!
Thanks for this! I’m a middle aged man, love listening to music, and this essay made me realize I’ve gotten to this stage of my life not knowing how either singing nor my own voice work! I love how there is no shortage of things to learn about in this world and how everything is fascinating if you pay enough attention.
Thanks so much for the kind words!