Are You Yodeling?

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Powerful voices of the world's best yodelers and country singers

Female country singers, male country singers, Swiss yodeling, a Korean yodeler star; Germany, Bavaria, Austria, America - international vocalists with stellar talent can be found on this Squidoo.com lens.

I'm not a yodeler. I can't even sing without everyone else quickly clearing the premises. But I appreciate beautiful and powerful voices. Especially yodeling voices. With this lens I would like to introduce great yodelers from here and there, and feature many resources for more in-depth exploration of this beautiful form of vocal expression.

How yodeling began 

A little history first...

How yodeling began...

Bavarian Chef Keem tells the historically completely unsubstantiated story about the origin of yodeling.

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My first experience with yodeling 

I was born and raised in Munich, Germany. In the beautiful Free State of Bavaria. Naturally, I went to school there. And we boys had this saying: "There he goes yodeling!", or, "That'll make him yodel!", whenever we meant for somebody to start "singing" in pain. Like, when the school teacher punished you with a switch to your palm, or when the local bullies squeezed the living Bavarian colors out of you with a strangle hold. Equally, a distracted hammer blow to your thumb right next to the nail could bring forth such involuntary musical talent. Let's forget this rather quickly and move on to sweeter tunes.

The real thing 

A big part of life in Bavaria

Bavaria is pretty much Catholic Country. Lots of "Kirchenfeiertage" (church holidays), long ceremonies and parades, with elaborately decorated farm animals. Very exhausting affairs that call for major nourishment breaks with humongous pig knuckles, pork roasts, sausages, pretzels and - liters upon liters of beer. Good beer! And, of course, music. Yodeling - what else. When the band plays drinking songs, everybody sings along, dancing on or under the table, grabbing some butt during wild rounds of polka - you know, the regular fun. But when it's time for some serious yodeling, the masses settle down and listen. The stage belongs to the yodeler(s) alone. And sometimes even a little embarrassed tear drop mingles with whatever resides in the wrinkles of a weathered farmer's face.

Yodeling Rock Star "Bugsy" 

Our little terrier/dachshund mix "Bugsy" always announces his need to go outside with some aggressive yodeling!

Yodeling Rock Star "Bugsy"

Bugsy is a little terrier/dachshund mix who likes to yodel when he needs to go outside.

Runtime: 2:03
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True origin of yodeling

As you probably know by now - yodeling started out as a form of communication in alpine regions. Clean mountain air is a formidable sound carrier.

11-year-old Taylor Ware 

from "America's Got Talent"

Crazy yodeling

12 year old kid yodeling her hart out

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Yodeling Jewel 

Jewel yodeling Chime Bells - Atlantic City 12.02.2006

Encore/last song of Jewel's Atlantic City concert at the Borgata's Music Box Theatre, December 2, 2006.

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Swiss Yodeling 

Swiss Native Yodel Singers

seen in Appenzell with traditional costumes

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Totally addictive site: wis.dm 

Answer & ask questions. It's fun and it's FREE!

If I yodel in the woods and nobody's there to hear it - am I really yodeling?

wis.dmIf I yodel in the woods and there's nobody there to hear it - am I really yodeling?answer

Yodeling and dancing 

Ever heard of "Schuhplattler"?

Sometimes one can see combo performances at Bavarian/Austrian/Swiss festivals. First, there is some yodeling. And then the same artists or another group starts dancing a round of "Schuhplattler", followed by some more yodeling.

The "Schuhplattler" is said to be the oldest surviving European dance, going back to Neolithic times. One theory claims the original movements were imitations of the mating dance of wild turkeys.

The guys slap their thighs, knees and soles of their shoes, and stomp their feet. The ladies mostly turn in circles and admire the manliness of their partners. Sometimes the men dance all by themselves.

Schuhplattler links 

See pictures, audio and video, and read more about "Schuhplatteln" on these sites
Bavarian Dancers in New York State
History of the dance, pics and videos, and much more.
Austrian/Bavarian Folk Dancing in Sacramento
Californian Schuhplattlers
Sensational Austrian dance troupe
Acrobatic Schuhplattler act from Austria

Schuhplattler on video 

It's a riot...

Heutauer (secca del fieno, Schuhplattler)

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schuhplatter 01

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Bitburger Summerfest - Die Gemütlichen Schuhplattler #16

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Yodeling - Tony Clark

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The most famous C&W yodeler - Jimmie Rodgers 

A brief biography from the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia

Jimmie Rodgers

(born Sept. 8, 1897, Meridian, Miss., U.S. - died May 26, 1933, New York, N.Y.) U.S. country music singer and guitarist. He left school at age 14 to work on the railroad, and he would be known throughout his career as the "Singing Brakeman." While working on the trains he learned guitar and banjo, absorbed blues techniques from African American railroad workers, and eventually created his characteristic sound - a blend of traditional work, blues, hobo, and cowboy songs and his trademark "blue yodel." By c. 1924 tuberculosis had made his railroad work impossible; he began instead to perform and soon became a best-selling recording artist, the first solo star of country music. His more than 110 recordings include "Blue Yodel No. 1" and "Mississippi River Blues." He died at age 35. He was one of the first three inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Lyrics to Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)

T for Texas, T for Tennessee;
T for Texas, T for Tennessee;
T for Thelma,
That gal that made a wreck out of me.
[Refrain (yodel)] O-la-ee-oo La-ee-oo La-ee.

If you don't want me, mama, you sure don't have to stall;
If you don't want me, mama, you sure don't have to stall;
'Cause I can get more women
Than a passenger train can haul.
O-la-ee-oo La-ee-oo La-ee.

I'm gonna buy me a pistol just as long as I'm tall;
I'm gonna buy me a pistol just as long as I'm tall;
I'm gonna shoot poor Thelma
Just to see her jump and fall.
O-la-ee-oo La-ee-oo La-ee.

I'm goin' where the water drinks like cherry wine;
I'm goin' where the water drinks like cherry wine;
'Cause the Georgia water
Tastes like turpentine.
O-la-ee-oo La-ee-oo La-ee.

I'm gonna buy me a shotgun with a great long shiny barrel;
I'm gonna buy me a shotgun with a great long shiny barrel;
I'm gonna shoot that rounder
That stole away my gal.
O-la-ee-oo La-ee-oo La-ee.

Rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log;
Rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log;
Than to be in Atlanta
Treated like a dirty dog.
O-la-ee-oo La-ee-oo La-ee.

The man who started it all... 

Jimmy Rodgers "Blue Yodel No. 1

A classic performance!

Jimmie Rodgers - Blue Yodel No 1 (T For Texas)

Jimmie Rogers Sings T for Texas.

Runtime: 2:57
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"I want to be a cowboy's sweetheart" 

The Music of Patsy Montana

(1908-1996) - Cowgirl singer Patsy Montana (real name: Ruby Blevins) rose to prominence during the 1930s as a cast member of Chicago's WLS National Barn Dance. She worked there and on records with a famous stringband, the Prairie Ramblers. With the Ramblers she recorded "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," a 1935 hit believed to be the first million-seller by a female country artist. Her role as star of stage and radio -- she made extensive tours and played many radio engagements during the 1940s and beyond ... was doubly important because of her status as a female star. As with later cowgirl singers, one of her trademarks was her intricate yodel, which inspired many other female singers through the years. Montana was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996, the year she died.

Listen here to a brief clip of her yodeling.

LeAnn Rimes: "A cowboy's sweetheart" 

A great version of the Patsy Montana classic

LeAnn Rimes - Cowboy Sweetheart

LeAnn Rimes singing the classic Cowboy Sweetheart at Disney

Runtime: 2:35
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A few of America's best yodelers 

Enjoy the video clips, vote for them, and add your own to the list!

Yodeling McDonald Craig * Mississippi Delta Blues

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Mike Johnson's

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Yodeling Fool - Wylie and The Wild West

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mary dear sung by gene autry (the yodeling cowboy)

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Don Walser Interview 1995

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Kenneth Threadgill

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Nickel Creek yodeling breakman's blues

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Grandma Yodeling

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Learning how to yodel 

You can do it - I can help; with links to places that teach you a thing or two about the fine art of noise-making Swiss-style.
Yodel Course
A fine site with audio examples and much info on this subject
Crash Course
Humorous crash course from this Viennese site
Kerry Christensen
Learn from an Alpine and Western Yodeling Master
Margo Smith
A course by the lady who taught yodeling to Taylor Ware, the incredible yodeling sensation on "America's Got Talent"
Cowboy yodeling
Learn to yodel the cowboy way

I told you I can't sing... 

...but I do it anyway!

Please don't run... ;) Gimme a chance...
the lyrics are actually quite funny (silly) in this song about washing dishes, with interesting footage from my annual Alaska chef job.

I wash the dishes (bear naked)

In 1974, 2 guys from Texas met one Bavarian. They ate and drank and generated lots of dirty dishes. One day, they wrote this song. Over 30 years later, this song was finally recorded and set to tasty images from Alaska, along with pictures of those 3 friends...

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Join the Masterpiece Movement on Squidoo Group... 

If you have a Masterpiece lens!

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Original Bavarian Pretzel Recipe 

A true yodeler's breakfast

1 Package active dry yeast (2 tsp)
Warm water (1/8 Cup-105°f/30ml-40°c)
Warm water (1 1/3 Cup/315ml)
Brown sugar (1/3 Cup/80 grams)
Flour (4 1/2 Cups/520 grams)
Baking Soda
Pot of water

Dissolve yeast in 1/8-cup warm water. Stir in 1 1/3 cups warm water, 1/3-cup brown sugar and flour. Knead dough until smooth and elastic. You can let the dough rise for a half hour or so, but it is not required.

Heat oven to 475°f / 245°c. In a saucepan, measure 2 tablespoons baking soda to each cup of water. Put enough water to fill the saucepan at least 3 inches high. Bring soda and water mixture to a light boil and set heat to simmer. Make sure the baking soda is well disolved.

Tear off some dough and roll a long thick pencil shape with your hands. Pick up both ends, cross to form rabbit ears and then twist the ends and pull them back to the rest of the loop. Place aside on lightly floured surface and let rise a few minutes.

Place pretzels one at a time in water/baking soda mixture for 10 seconds on each side or until the pretzel dough is light yellow in color. Remove the pretzel from boiling water and place onto a salted a cookie sheet.

Salt the top of pretzels with coarse ground sea salt. Place cookie sheet with pretzels into the oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until pretzel is golden brown. Enjoy while warm.

I recommend Dusseldorfer style mustard. Great with German Weisswurst and a Weissbier!

Notes: Do not refrigerate this dough, it will become unworkable.

Bavarian cheese specialty: "Obatzda"

You asked for it - here it is: my recipe for "Obatzda", a Bavarian cheese specialty.

8 ozs. Camembert or Brie, ripe
4 ozs. Limburger, steenky ;-)
2 ozs. Cream Cheese
2 ozs. Butter, soft
1/2 cup Onion, small dice
2 Tsp Fresh Chives, finely chopped
1 Tsp Mustard, grainy, sweet
1 tsp Paprika
Salt & Pepper to taste

Mash all ingredients with a fork and pile it on good crusty bread. Don't forget to take your Lipitor pills!

Please Visit My Blog "Chef Keem's Squid Kitchen" 

For more recipes and interesting food bits...

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What to wear when yodeling 

Yodel in style, baby!

For men, lederhosen are a must! And the right shoes, knee-length socks, a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and the hat, of course, with that bushel up there.

Ladies must wear dirndls, and the hair should be braided. Plenty of accessories are allowed.

Shopping (while yodeling) 

Let's see what Amazon has to offer! I could use a new pair of lederhosen...
Lederhosen Costume Adult
Lederhosen Costume Adult
Beer Garden Girl Costume
Beer Garden Girl Costume
Oktoberfest Girl Sexy Costume German Heidi Beer Maid Serving Wench Dirndl Dress Octoberfest Outfit
Oktoberfest Girl Sexy Cos...
Adult Bavarian Maiden Costume - Great Heidi Costume Too!
Adult Bavarian Maiden Cos...
Leg Avenue 4 Piece Men's Lederhosen Costume, Includes Hat, Shirt, Suspenders and Shorts
Leg Avenue 4 Piece Men's...

Yodeling across the eBay 

Sorry 'bout the groaner title...

We just need to watch what's showing up. There might be nothing available, at times, but it's worth it to check in every now and then.

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eBay

Festivals! Festivals! 

Go and hear some juicy yodeling

German/Bavarian/Austrian/Swiss/American festivals - maybe right in your neck of the desert...
Ah, Frankenmuth! In Michigan, that is. Beer, Summer, Oktober, all kinds of festivals. Here's a Bavarian Fest in Wayne County, PA. A big Bavarian party is happening in Texas - the Wurstfest in New Braunfels. Also in Texas you'll find the Oktober Fest in Fredericksburg. The original, of course, happens in Munich. This one is in "Zinnzinatti", another one in Tulsa, OK. Fremont has a big Oktoberfest, and so does San Francisco. Maybe you live not too far from Newport, Berea, OH, Seymor, IN, New Ulm, Minnesota, Helen, Georgia, or Mount Angel, Oregon.

Have fun and be driven (by a designated driver!)...

Have you heard of the "Isle of Squid?" 

Featuring the best of Squidoo...

Check out this great directory of hand-picked quality lenses. Review your favorite lenses and submit your own work.

Please use the second link to review this lens. Thank you for taking the time.
-Chef Keem

Excellent lenses in all categories. Selected by expert staff and waiting for your personal review.

The Isle of Squid "Yodelers"

Yodel at me! 

Hollah-ray-dee-ho-hi-dewlee-ay! (Caution! Too much yodeling might grow you a rack!)
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Lensmaster

JaguarJulie wrote...

Oh yes ... I was indeed yodeling this morning in the shower ... you see hubby flushed the toilet. ;)

ReplyPosted May 20, 2009

Lensmaster

anthony wrote

great yodeling website http://yodelingtonyclark.co.uk

Reply Posted May 15, 2009

Lensmaster

tonyclark wrote...

fantastic yodeling website

ReplyPosted May 12, 2009

Lensmaster

YODELMAN wrote...

What a great lens on one of my favorite subjects. You've set a fine example as I attempt to build my own lens. Thanks for all of the great info and links!

ReplyPosted February 07, 2009

Lensmaster

ThomasC wrote...

Very well done Achim! A great lens on yodeling, you seemed to cover the subject very well! I am impressed! 5 stars and an Angel Blessing my friend!
ThomasC

ReplyPosted November 25, 2008

Lensmaster

JaguarJulie wrote...

Growing up in Cleveland, we seemed to experience more yodelers than here in Florida. We used to go to this German Farm on Sundays where they yodeled, played games, and had soccer. I remember watching that soccer player Heinz and listening to those who could yodel. Hadn't thought about it for a long time. ;)

ReplyPosted November 19, 2008

Lensmaster

flowski wrote...

I'm known as the yodeling photographer! There's something about being up on a mountain that brings it out of me! You know that story about how yodeling began? I've heard a thousand versions over the years. It's kind of funny how every yodeler has their own version of it. I've got mine, and it's generally the same but has distinct differences. Anyways awesome lens!!!

ReplyPosted August 27, 2008

Lensmaster

Evelyn_Saenz wrote...

The Three Billy Goats Gruff just stopped by for some yodeling lessons and to let you know that this lens is now featured on their lens.

Happy yodeling,

Evelyn

ReplyPosted August 22, 2008

Lensmaster

Clairwil wrote...

You've been nominated for lens of the week!

Brilliant lens*****.

http://www.squidoo.com/Alllnsoftheweek

ReplyPosted April 24, 2008

Lensmaster

rms wrote...

Thank you for ading this fantastic lens to the Our Favorite Squidoo Lenses group. I can see why it's a favorite!

ReplyPosted April 21, 2008

Lensmaster

alumnigifts wrote...

Great work on this one, how fun!

ReplyPosted April 17, 2008

Lensmaster

onlinedownloads wrote...

Amazing Lens. Keep it up. Hope you would like my tips on Free iPod Music Download.

ReplyPosted April 15, 2008

Lensmaster

Monteath wrote...

Good stuff on a subject I wouldn't have even thought about. Really enjoyed this page, thanks for sharing!

ReplyPosted April 13, 2008

Lensmaster

SemperFidelis wrote...

A Squidoo Angel just passed by and blessed ya, plus gave you a 5*! ;)

ReplyPosted April 02, 2008

Lensmaster

bdkz wrote...

This is an awesome lens! 5 Stars and a Squid Angel Blessing for you!

ReplyPosted March 31, 2008

 
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by chefkeem

Hello - I am Chef Keem, creator of Agasweet flavored agave nectar.
Born and raised in Munich, Germany. First career in pop music as A&R Director and r... (more)

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