Yodeling

We are going to spend some time on Erik's Rants and Recipes talking about yodeling. Then, if I am in the mood, we will talk about bagpipes.

The main reason I want to spill pixels over these topics is that there are too many people who think that yodeling is divided into 2 categories: Alpine and Cowboy. Similarly there are people who think that the bagpipes are a uniquely British Isles sort of thing.

We are going to look at the world of yodeling, beyond the Alps and the American range.

However, we will not neglect these great traditions of yodeling.

Are you curious? Are you so curious that you must learn how to yodel?

Good. Go here for the online yodel course. If you finish (honor system), you can email him and get a certificate. It is a fun course and will get you up to some proficiency in the art.

Now. The reason that I wanted to post on this is that I have been listening to the immensely talented Raiatea Mokihana Maile Helm. We first heard her at a Hawaiian music festival last year, and were completely entranced by her voice. Honestly, if you want to know what the angels in Heaven sing in between motets by Orlando di Lasso, this is it. My parents were in Hawaii a few weeks ago and I asked them to look for a CD of hers if they happened to be around places that sold Hawaiian music. To my good fortune, they found a CD of hers, and if it were a vinyl record I would have probably worn it out by now.

Raiatea Helm is probably the best yodeler I have heard in a long time. She moves between head and chest voice with a lyricism that can't be beat. Polynesian languages are ideal for yodeling, as they are rather vowel heavy, and require that each letter be pronounced (I remember reading that I was going to be landing at the Faaa airport in Tahiti. I assumed that it stood for something: Federacion Aerospatiale, etc. No. They build the airport in Fa-a-a. Cool).

So, for tonight's yodeling recommendation, let me steer you to this young and talented Hawaiian singer.

Meanwhile, let me ask you a trivia question: Who is the most famous yodeler in the world? Think about it and then look in the Extended Entry section for the answer.

A hint: he was also a champion Olympic swimmer, but he is better known for his yodel than for his swimming.

Another hint: he was basically an Alpenjodler, although he did it in his own style.

If you thought of the yodel heard round the world and it was this one, pat yourself on the back. Yes, the famous Tarzan cry is a glorious, full-blown Alpenjodl (or Alpenjodel, but I believe that the Alpine folks spell it without the "e"). Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!

Posted by erik at November 11, 2004 1:26 AM | TrackBack