Yodel-ay-ee-whoo!!!
We had a very fun and educational music class today as we
explored yodeling: its history, and how it’s done!
Please note: Infant Music class was rescheduled for Wednesday, September 18th due to a high "snooze" factor at our normally scheduled class time today! :)
A little on the history of yodeling:
The word itself has German roots and was originally “jodelin”.
The syllable “yo” itself is a central part of yodeling which had its roots in
the Alps, both of Swiss and Austrian descent. Some people speculate that shepherds,
calling their animals, began the trend of yodeling vocalizations by switching from their medium and higher vocal ranges.
I explained to the children today that yodeling is switching
between their normal, diaphragmatic voice and that of a higher register, or “FALSETTO”.
This was one of our “tricky terms” of the day!
Check out the videos, pictures and mp3s of our yodelling experience below!
Listen to our yodelling practice today in the four's room: Using a Yodeling Voice
ONE MORE FUN
HIGHLIGHT:
I'm starting a new feature for our music program that will
aid teachers in providing more extensions and additional materials! It’s called
the “Mystery Music Box” and it is a fun red trunk that is filled with weekly
items that relate to what we are learning in class! Each week, teachers can
come and “check out” the trunk from the office, bringing the items to their
classroom at their leisure. This week, because we did a theme on Yodelling, the
trunk contains a doily from Switzerland with a cute little Swiss couple on it,
a picture of the Swiss alps, and a book on mountains. Mr. Dog, the yodeling
puppet, is also in the trunk, as well as a very funny surprise that I’m
positive will be the most favorite item—a DVD of a very short video of a cat
yodeling “Jingle Bells”. Shhh….the kids haven’t seen these items yet! J