How To
Yodel
From basic breathing to advanced Alpine techniques, follow our comprehensive guide to go from beginner to expert yodeller.
Every great yodeller started with their first "yodel-ay-ee-oooo!"
The Basics
Breath
Lie down and place one hand on your chest, one on your belly
Breathe in through your nose so your belly expands (not your chest)
Exhale slowly through your mouth
Practice this until it becomes natural - it's your yodelling foundation!
Pro Tip: Think of your diaphragm as the engine of your yodel!
Break
Sing a simple "oh" sound from low to high
Listen for where your voice naturally wants to flip or crack
Don't smooth it out - embrace that break!
Try the "knock-knock" method: sing "little old lady" in chest voice, then jump to "who" in head voice
Pro Tip: The break is your friend - don't fight it, celebrate it!
Transition
Practice "yo-de-lay" slowly: "yo" in chest voice, "de" in head voice, "lay" in chest voice
Try "yodel-ay-ee-oooo" - the classic starter pattern
Use vowel sounds like "A-E" or "O-U" and gradually speed them up
Focus on smooth transitions between registers
Pro Tip: Start slow and gradually increase speed - rushing leads to tension!
Intermediate
Triad
Most yodelling uses three notes (like A, E, D). This is your gateway to more complex patterns.
Sing A in chest voice, E and D in head voice
Practice scaling these triads up and down over an octave
Add the word "yodel" in front: "yodel-A-E-D"
Experiment with different note combinations
Practice Tip: Start with major triads, then explore minor and diminished variations.
Breath #2
Advanced breath control separates good yodellers from great ones.
Practice "suspend and release" - hold your breath briefly before exhaling during phrases
Try "hissing" exercises with a steady "ssss" sound to build sustained control
Use lip trills and sirens in your warm-ups to prepare for rapid changes
Work on circular breathing patterns for extended passages
Practice Tip: Aim to increase your sustained note duration by 5 seconds each week.
Rhythmic
Rhythm transforms basic yodels into expressive musical statements.
Add syncopation and irregular timing to your yodels
Practice short "YodelBursts" - spontaneous yodelling for fun
Try different tempos from slow and melodic to fast and energetic
Experiment with triplets and dotted rhythms
Practice Tip: Use a metronome to practice various time signatures and rhythmic patterns.
Advanced
Safety Warning for Advanced Techniques
Advanced techniques require years of foundation work. Never attempt these without proper warm-ups and gradual progression.
Extended vocal techniques can cause permanent damage if performed incorrectly. Consider working with a qualified voice teacher before attempting expert-level skills.
Listen to your voice - if it feels strained or painful, stop immediately and rest.
Sideways
Alter mouth shapes while flipping registers for unique tonal effects
Safety: Practice in short sessions to avoid strain
Overtones
Explore ghostly harmonics (carefully!) for ethereal effects
Safety: Only attempt after mastering basics - requires careful technique
Alternations
Practice trills between adjacent notes while maintaining the break
Safety: Warm up thoroughly before attempting rapid techniques
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