In the broadest sense of the word, a vocable is any meaningful sound uttered by people, such as a word or term, that is fixed by their language and culture.
What is a vocable in Native American music?
Students will discuss how vocables in American Indian culture were used. Vocables had no direct translation but were meant to express a feeling, a dance or tell a story through the melody and sounds of the vowels. As a class Students will learn an American Indian Vocable song “O Hal ‘Lwe”.
Why are vocables used?
Vocables frequently act as formal markers, indicating the beginning and end of phrases, sections or songs themselves, and also as onomatopoeic references, cueing devices, and other purposes.