hüpotoonia

Hüpotoonia is a technical term used in musicology and ethnomusicology to describe a specific type of vocal timbre characterized by a strained or forced quality.

This vocal characteristic is often analyzed in the context of Western classical music, where singers are expected to project their voices with precision and control. In contrast, hüpotoonia is associated with singing styles that prioritize emotional expression and sincerity over technical precision.

Hüpotoonia is often described as a "tense" or "tainted" quality, marked by a "wobbling" or "waver" in the midFrequency range. This produces an unrefined sound that is often perceived as "unsophisticated" or "unmusical" by Western musical standards.

The term was first used by the composer and musicologist Arnold Schoenberg to describe the unique timbre characteristics of folk singers from Eastern Europe, particularly from Poland and Ukraine. Schoenberg believed that hüpotoonia was an essential element of traditional folk singing, providing a sense of authenticity and emotional depth to the music.

Despite its somewhat dismissive connotations in Western music theory, hüpotoonia has also been celebrated as a valuable aspect of musical expression, particularly in the context of world music and experimental vocalism. By embracing the raw, emotive quality of hüpotoonia, singers can create a distinctive sonic landscape that is simultaneously authentic and unapologetic.

In contemporary music, artists such as Meredith Monk and Joan La Barbara have experimented with hüpotoonia as a means of exploring the expressive potential of the human voice.