Yodeling

Yodeling (or yodelling, jodeling) is a form of singing that 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. The English word yodel is derived from a German word jodeln (originally Austro-Bavarian language) meaning "to utter the syllable jo" (pronounced "yo" in English). This vocal technique is used in many cultures throughout the world. Although traveling minstrels were yodeling in their performances in the United Kingdom and the United States as early as the eighteen-hundreds, most music historians credit the first recording to include yodeling to Riley Puckett in 1924. In 1928, blending traditional work, blues, hobo and cowboy music, Jimmie Rodgers released his first recording "Blue Yodel No. 1", and created an instant national craze for yodeling in the United States. The popularity lasted through the 1940s, but by the 1950s it became rare to hear yodeling in Country or Western music.