From The Sound of Music to Global Yodeling: A Journey Through Unforgettable Performances

In 1965, the film The Sound of Music was released. At that time, I was still in middle school, and it wasn’t until a year or two later that I watched it in a movie theater in Taipei.

The lead actress, Julie Andrews, was originally a stage performer. Her portrayal of a novice nun transforming into a confident woman left a deep impression on me, and her high-pitched yet sweet singing voice is unforgettable. I always felt that her vocal tone was impeccable, though it seemed that in the higher registers, there was a bit of “falsetto” mixed in. For example, in the song “The Lonely Goatherd,” where she leads the captain’s seven children in a puppet show, the singing incorporates what is now known as “yodeling”—a technique that alternates between high and low pitches, achieving an extraordinary artistic effect.

– The Sound of Music Yodeling Segment: https://youtu.be/3qU2jGVdjZI?si=ffya0v-59KmhYDzO

 Recently, I came across a video of Takeo Ischi, a Japanese-born singer who performs in German (born May 3, 1947), performing the song “Chicken Attack” using yodeling. I wrote an article about it, and a fellow writer shared a video of a traditional Alpine shepherd song.
The young girl’s voice in the video was incredibly strong, almost heavenly, and it was truly refreshing to hear. However, since the video was reposted from [Miaopai], the original title of the song wasn’t available.

Chicken Attack https://youtu.be/IwjTmWC2mjI

I also listened to a Ukrainian singer’s rendition of “That’s the Real YODEL.” Wow! It was truly an astonishing performance, reaching a level of mastery I’ve never heard before. The soprano’s technique is undoubtedly challenging, yet so smooth and melodic. Listening to
her sing was a high-class enjoyment. Below are the links for fellow writers to
enjoy:

– Traditional Alpine Shepherd Song https://youtu.be/49uYID_s7nY?si=df5xcl

I have a very good impression of yodeling. For an Oriental, the singing method of “falsetto” is not unfamiliar. However, yodeling is not just about falsetto singing; there is something more novel about it, which I personally enjoyed listening to.