ABC Wednesday

Y is for YODELING

Wikipedia tells us a little of the technique of yodeling, but here is a wonderful example sung by the famous Canadian Balladeer, Wilf Carter, claimed with equal ardour in his birthplace in Nova Scotia and in the Canadian West where he put the cowboy culture to music.



"Yodeling involves singing an extended note which rapidly and repeatedly changes in pitch from the vocal or chest register (or "chest voice") to the falsetto/head register; making a high-low-high-low sound. This vocal technique is used in many cultures throughout the world.

In Alpine folk music, it was probably developed in the Swiss Alps as a method of communication between mountain peaks, later becoming part of the region's traditional music. In Persian and Azeri classical music, singers frequently use tahrir, a yodeling technique that oscillates on neighbor tones. In Georgian traditional music, yodelling takes the form of krimanchuli technique, and is used as a top part in three/four part polyphony. In Central Africa, Pygmy singers use yodels within their elaborate polyphonic singing......" from Wikipedia

If you think you might have this talent for yodeling, the best place to practice are in spots with an echo - the shower, around a lake, the outdoors, down a long hallway, out riding in the mountains, out hiking, - not sure about walking the dog, - depends where you are and who's around. Some people without soul may react to yodeling in the same way they react to bagpipes....

We had a dear friend who sang and yodeled at parties, and now he is gone we miss his wonderful renditions of many of Wilf Carter's songs.

Y is not an easy Letter, but do go to ABC Wednesday and explore the other postings that feature Y.