What is the sudden sharp pitch increase in Old Country/Rockabilly
You don't hear it much in country music nowadays but what is that technique or term where artists like Johnny Horton and the like make a sudden whoop or yelp at the end of a line (North to Alaska is a good example at 0:37-38).
I looked to see if it was twang, but that doesn't seem right. I even researched into the origins of most country and rockabilly-esque music, to see if it was a term originating in the African American Culture but no luck so far. Might it be yodeling?
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It's definitely NOT yodeling and "twang" can describe other aspects of the rockabilly country style of singing besides the sharp pitch increase you refer to.
I am not sure if there is actually an official name for that technique.
I call it a "Hillbilly Hiccup" and I have used it myself in some of my original country songs. In fact I first herd the term "hillbilly hiccup" from the engineer in a recording studio where I was recording one of my songs.
That's not an official term, but it is descriptive and catchy - so I will continue to use that phrase to describe the technique until someone gives me a better term.
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