Non-Lexical Vocables: Nonsense Syllables from Around the World
Non-lexical vocables are syllables without any semantic meaning, sometimes called “nonsense syllables.” In this episode of Folk Files, we’ll explore lilting, yodeling, konnakol, throat singing, and other vocable traditions from around the world. During our global musical journey, we’ll discover that these syllables carry meaning, even though they don’t have definitions.
Host: Olivia Harding
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Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton
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Musical Excerpts
The Chieftains
“Heuliadenn Tonioù Breizh-Izel”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdtIGiZc_nE&list=PL1aKuT6Xr3dNFq959a6vgIHmMNmtECNyE&index=7
Seamus Fay
Lilter at Fleadh Cheoil 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PXiydDyWNk&list=PLRs-IaSgKVD2IzgBHEkUwXOlg9p2X7UhE
De Temps Antan
“La Turlutte du Rotoculteur”
https://youtu.be/44BlsiQKwnw?si=BZm6VvU17twCITIw
The BBC Archive
The World Diddling Championships (1974)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxTUOWBZIFQ
Yehudah Green
“Moishela’s Niggun”
https://youtu.be/OFJOdAYhtOM?si=wiUdYIMCa2XYkpEk
Tanya Tagaq
Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center (April 5, 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClLbkEMaNvU
Alash Ensemble
“My Throat Solo”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xia8OERlNU
Franzl Lang
Possibly from “Im Blauen Bock” (source needed)
https://youtu.be/8_UnANdDqJc?si=1nSalbEiMhMhy-OQ
Maryam Akhondy
On stage at Alte Feuerwache in Cologne, Germany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWVblqDCR0
Loni (the lead singer) and other Baka women
Yelli
https://youtu.be/cATZe_jlc9g?si=YqNXbCWALMapsFw_
Youth native drumming
AIM Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbORbJBEhBg
Example of zaghrouta from Palestinian wedding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaz82eJTkK4
Elyanna
“Ghazali”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nisgWAoHfs
Pratibha Sarathy
Types of Ragas – VoxGuru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geSOK65rhdQ
Kumari V Shivapriya and Vidwan BR Somashekar Jois
Konnakol Duel – MadRasana Unplugged
https://youtu.be/iurhjlBum0o?si=3lArV3XSJO8iHhLi
Ustad Zakir Hussein
Performance published on Drummerworld
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5-OPu32TSY
Kabuki Yo Sound Effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1vvtQI2exk
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
“Soran Bushi”
https://youtu.be/vH-ogzBUxeI?si=IzQCGrMcx_TXmjNv
Music the Gathering
“Bullgine Run”
https://musicthegathering.bandcamp.com/track/bullgine
Kate Bush
“Aerial Tal”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN_BgDO1BCU