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Swiss Yodel Song

Many people think of yodeling as rollicking, fast, almost clownish solo vocalization accompanied by an accordion. But in Switzerland, what you are most likely to hear is “natural yodel” or yodel song, hauntingly beautiful a cappella singing with 2, 3, or 4-part harmony. ( And no words). This form is practiced by hundreds of Jodelerklubs, who compete in regional and national events, but also may sit at a restaurant and yodel for pleasure.

My adult children, who have been to Switzerland with me twice and will be returning with us next summer (now including grandchildren) had never heard this type, so I googled around to find examples. Here is one; enjoy!

http://media.swissinfo.ch/audios/swissalpinemusic/2009/09/08_jodlerklubschuepfheim_schimbrigjodel.mp3

Now to find a Jodeler event that will take place during our visit, end of July and first week of August.

Posted by
4086 posts

Lola when I get home I'm going to find my favorite Swiss souvenir, a yodeling CD from my visit in 2005 and share a link to one of one of my favorite artists. If you are in Switzerland on August 1 you may be in luck to hear some GREAT Swiss yodeling at a Swiss National Day festival. That is when and where I heard my best Swiss yodeling, in Zug on Swiss National Day. Good hunting!

Posted by
17330 posts

Thanks, Mona! We will indeed be there on Swiss National Day, as we have been three times in the past. Always before at a quiet mountain inn where there was nothing in the way of celebration. But this time we will stay in Kandersteg 31July-1 August and will hope for a community celebration. Then we will be in Mürren for their Dorffest so hopefully will hear some yodeling there.

But my favorite yodel experience was when we were staying in Grindelwald with my hiking club. We were at the Alte Post Hitel the Main Street. Coming back from dinner elsewhere one night, we heard the beautiful sounds floating through the streets. There was a Jodelerverein sitting at the outdoor tables of the hotel restaurant, singing. It was magical. We sat down and enjoyed a drink and the sounds, then went up to our room and opened the window so we could continue to listen.

Posted by
5837 posts

I picked up a Swiss yodeling marmot to harmonize with my Austrian yodeling marmot.

Posted by
1056 posts

The last two times I’ve been in Appenzell I’ve encountered random yodeling clubs rehearsing in restaurants I was in. Perhaps you could contact their tourist info office to ask about rehearsal or concert times.

Posted by
4086 posts

I hope you can follow this link to a track from my favorite Swiss yodeling experience; two women, one accordion, pouring down rain beating on the stage by Lake Zug...https://volksmusik.mx3.ch/t/g3. Press play and give it a few seconds to load.

Posted by
50 posts

Here’s not really a yodel, but a very old folksong “ranz de vache” still sung by many yodel clubs especially in the region around Fribourg. Swiss soldiers serving in Napoleon’s army were forbidden to sing it because it made them homesick. The song “ranz de vache” (loosely translated “the cow’s dance”) is sung in a nowadays almost extinct language – the patois.
An old, traditional version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0xAw2oXhJY
A current version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFLtAXJNq0s