Yodel for Your Neighbors Day
Evoking joy and wonder, this unique and traditional vocal technique is an art form that brings people together in celebration of life.
This unique form of signing that incorporates quick changes between the normal voice (chest voice) and falsetto (head voice) has developed into a unique form of music that has spread all over the world.
History of Yodel for Your Neighbors Day
Originally used in the Central Alp regions of Europe for communicating between neighboring villages or, even more commonly, for herders to call their animals back, yodeling is typically traced back to the people of Switzerland. Historically, the earliest record that can be found describing yodeling is from 1545, which was referred to as the call of a cowherder.
This practical form of yelling morphed into a form of singing over the years and was eventually set to music. In the 19th century, British yodelers were common as stage performers as the practice began to move around the world.
In addition to Switzerland, yodeling has also developed in other places like the Solomon Islands, Hawaii and even among Pygmy tribes in Africa.
Yodel for Your Neighbors Day was founded as a way to encourage practicing this type of singing/yelling that may or may not make them want to yell back at you!
How to Celebrate Yodel for Your Neighbors Day
Enjoy celebrating Yodel for Your Neighbors Day by implementing some of these interesting ideas:
Practice Yodeling
Okay, for some people who aren’t very practiced at it yet, it’s possible that instead of yodeling for neighbors, it might be best to get started with the windows shut! Although it may sound like it’s just a few strokes of the vocal cords, yodeling is actually a rather difficult type of singing that takes quite a bit of skill as well as some musical talent.
Listen to Some Yodeling Songs
The internet is a great place to find all sorts of strange and wonderful resources! And, in this case, most people would be surprised at just how many yodeling recordings and videos can be sourced with a quick search. Many of them have European roots, of course.
Consider making a little playlist on Spotify, Apple Music or another platform that will allow for listening to yodeling all day long in honor of Yodel for Your Neighbors Day! Get started with some of these songs:
- She Taught Me How to Yodel by Frank Ifield (1963)
- Stümpeler & Jodel-Time by Oesch’s die Dritten (2011)
- Einen Jodler Hör I Gern by Franzl Lang (1973)
- Heidi by Gitti Und Erika (1977)
Learn Fun Facts About Yodeling
Raise awareness for Yodel for Your Neighbors Day by sharing some of these bits of trivia that are fun and memorable:
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The most celebrated Swiss yodeler was a farmer and cheese maker named Ruedi Rymann who was a folk music legend in the 1930s.
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The Swiss National Yodeling Competition takes place every three years in Switzerland at a festival that includes many forms of entertainment, including yodeling choirs.
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Yodels became popular in the US in the 19th & 20th centuries and Victor recording company listed 17 different yodels in their catalog.
