Vocal hiccup

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Vocal hiccup is a "hiccuping" singing technique which was notably used by Buddy Holly and Michael Jackson.

Buddy Holly[]

Buddy Holly used the "vocal hiccup" in many of his songs. It is described as "a clipped ‘uh’ sound used to emphasize certain words", for example, "We-UH-ell, the little things you say and do, make me want to be with you-UH-ou..." in his record of the song Rave On (1958).[1]

Edward Comentale asserts that Holly's hiccup technique comes from the southern tradition of "eefing". He describes it as follows: "he [Buddy Holly] cuts off the sound at the back of the throat, blocking the flow of sound so that it pops out again with greater intensity - hic-a! A sharp break or silence is immediately followed by a loud burp, ann extra 'supplemental' syllable."[2]

Scott "Buddy" Cameron, known for his impersonation of Buddy Holly, in particular in the 2005-2009 production of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story musical, among other "trademark" features of Buddy Holly, uses "lilting vocal hiccup".[3][4]

Michael Jackson[]

Michael Jackson started using the "vocal hiccup" in 1973, in the song "It's Too Late to Change the Time" on the G.I.T.: Get It Together album. The next time he used this technique several years later, in his 1979 solo album Off the Wall. Jackson's hiccup technique is described as "somewhat like a gulping for air or gasping".[5]

Diana Ross claimed on The Today Show that Michael Jackson took the vocal hiccup technique from her.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ Buddy Holly bio at buddythemusical.com
  2. ^ Edward P. Comentale, Sweet Air: Modernism, Regionalism, and American Popular Song, p. 229
  3. ^ "Class of 59: The Rock & Roll Circus Tour, June 28, 2019 (retrieved June 28, 2019)
  4. ^ "Revered Buddy Holly Performer Brings the Legend Back to Life", The Chronicle, October 1, 2015(retrieved June 28, 2019)
  5. ^ Brown, Geoff (1996). The Complete Guide To The Music of Michael Jackson & The Jackson Family. New York City, New York: Omnibus Press. pp. 29, 30. ISBN 0-7119-5303-1.
  6. ^ Diana Ross & The Supremes: On The Today Show (2000) (retrieved June 28, 2019)


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