Vocal percussion: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Vocal sounds that approximate percussion}}

'''Vocal Percussion''' is the art of creating sounds with one's mouth that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a percussion instrument, whether in a group of singers, an instrumental ensemble, or solo. The term "[[Beatboxing]]" is often used as a synonym for vocal percussion, but in fact is just one type, often used to accompany [[hip-hop]] music. Vocal percussion is used by most college and professional [[a cappella]] groups, in order to attempt a more complete fascimile of the pop music that these group primarily perform. It is not necessary to attempt to imitate real instruments; in fact, vocal percussion can be used to create unique sounds. When it is used to imitate a drumset used in most rock or pop music (i.e. music with the emphasis on the 2nd and 4th beat of every four-beat measure), however, vocal percussion has three basic sounds: bass drum, snare drum, and cymbal. Variations on these sounds can be used to approximate other elements of a drum kit. A higher bass drum sounds like a floor tom; cymbol sounds can either be made short like a closed high hat (employing a sharp ts-ts-ts sound) or long like a crash or ride cymbol (attacked with a psh or a ksh sound).

{{More citations needed|date=August 2019}}

'''Vocal percussion''' is the art of creating sounds with one's [[human mouth|mouth]] that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a [[percussion instrument]], whether in a group of singers, an instrumental ensemble, or solo.

== In Western music ==

Recent musicological research points at Brazilian songwriter and musician [[Marcos Valle]] as a pioneer of vocal percussion.{{citation needed| date=May 2012}} In the track "Mentira" from his 1973 album ''[[Previsão do Tempo]]'', Valle imitates a drum kit with his voice.

[[Beatboxing]], an art form pioneered by rapper [[Doug E. Fresh]], is one school of vocal percussion, originating in [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] music and often used to accompany [[rapping]]. Stylistically, it is more expansive than traditional vocal percussion as it involves mimicking other sound effects and instruments with the voice such as trumpets, scratches, and bass-lines. It is utilized by many musicians spanning over a wide variety of genres.

== In Indian music ==

Vocal percussion is also an integral part of many [[world music]] traditions, most notably in the traditions of [[North India]] ([[Bol (music)|bols]]) and [[South India]] ([[solkattu]]). Syllables are used to learn percussion compositions, and each syllable signifies what stroke or combination of strokes the percussionist must use.

The art of speaking these syllables is called [[konnakol]] in South India, and traditional dance ensembles sometimes have a dedicated konnakol singer, although this practice is now waning. At one time it was a very respected art form, with many masters and singers.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

In North India, the practice of reciting [[Bol (music)|bols]] is usually limited to the percussionist reciting the composition about to be played, often in the context of a longer solo. These recitations are also sometimes spoken by a [[Kathak]] dancer.

== Mouth drumming ==

'''Mouth drumming''' is a form of [[Beatboxing]] which involves vocally imitating the sound of a [[drum kit]] as precisely as possible in order to use the voice to serve the same function as a [[drummer]] in a musical setting. It is mostly used in [[a cappella]] music but has also been used in rock and jazz. Artists who specialize in this technique are simply referred to as vocal percussionists.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Feist|first1=Evan|title=A Cappella Origins: An Interview With Wes Carroll|url=http://www.casa.org/node/7227|website=CASA|publisher=The Contemporary A Cappella Society|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref>

===History===

[[Wes Carroll]] is credited as the term coiner and pioneering practitioner of this art.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mouthdrumming.com/|title=Mouthdrumming : Wes Carroll's Instructional Site For Vocal Percussion|work=mouthdrumming.com|access-date=14 April 2016}}</ref> Well-known for his ability to realistically vocalize the sounds of a drum kit, and use them as the primary rhythm section in bands and a cappella groups, he inspired many vocalists and musicians to continue this art form after him. [[Jeff Thacher]] and Dave Baumgartner<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP60Bv1gWHc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/BP60Bv1gWHc |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Wes Carroll and Dave Baumgartner Mouth Drumming Duet|author=Wes Carroll and Dave Baumgartner|date=November 2004}}{{cbignore}}</ref> are other well-known pioneers.

===In a cappella===

Many [[a cappella]] groups use mouth drumming as a way of using the voice to provide a steady [[rhythm section]] for their music.

A cappella groups such as Five o-clock Shadow, [[The House Jacks]], [[Rockapella]], [[Overboard (a cappella)|Overboard]], SoVoSo, Transit and [[Naturally 7]] are well known for further advancing the art and its popularity.

===In rock and jazz music===

Although it is not common, mouth drumming has also been used in traditional band settings. David Worm (who has also performed it for the a cappella group SoVoSo) has often incorporated the technique in his [[acoustic rock]] band "Glass house".

Kaichiro Kitamura<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tasworkshopkaichiro.peatix.com/|title=Rhythm Training with Kaichiro Kitamura|work=Peatix|access-date=14 April 2016}}</ref> is a Japanese vocal percussionist specializing in this art who has incorporated it in both a cappella and [[jazz]] groups. Otha Major is another vocal percussionist and [[beatboxer]], who has often used the technique in rock performances as well as with the a cappella group Kickshaw.

==Common forms of vocal percussion==

* [[Beatboxing]]

* [[Konnakol]]

* [[Bol (music)|Tabla Bols]]

== Notable performers ==

{{div col}}

* [[Kevin Olusola]]

* [[Adam Rupp]]

* [[Kid Beyond]]

* [[Chris Sullivan (The Electric Company)|Chris Sullivan]]

* [[Wes Carroll]]

* [[Jeff Thacher]]

* [[Kaichiro Kitamura]]

* [[Loire (Lori Cotler)]]

* [[Arun Luthra]]

* [[V. Selvaganesh]]

* [[Sheila Chandra]]

* [[Trilok Gurtu]]

* [[Bobby McFerrin]]

* [[Al Jarreau]]

* [[Marcos Valle]]

* [[Rachelle Ferrell]]

* [[Dafnis Prieto]]

* [[DCappella|Antonio Fernandez]]

{{div col end}}

== Sources ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Singing}}

[[Category:Vocal percussion| ]]

[[Category:Singing]]