Akazehe Par Une Jeune Fille, from Burundi.
In a yodeling technique similar to the hockets I posted before, this young girl uses both of her vocal registers, rapidly alternating between high and low notes to create the impression of many notes at once. Often referred to as virtual or pseudo polyphony, this illusion occurs when rapidly occurring notes are far enough apart in pitch to create separate perceptual streams. Because we are tracking several different streams happening in rapid succession we then have limited attention to give to the end of the first note of any given pair. This skews our perception of when the note may have in fact ended, allowing for the belief that both notes are happening within the same time frame.
In this example, the streaming effect appears to be further influenced by the changes in timbre that her voice undergoes when she switches registers. Similarly, streaming factors like variations in timbre and the physical distance between multiple singers can also create pseudo polyphony in a traditional hocket.
Recording: Musique du Burundi, Ocora Records, 1968.
