Krimanchuli: A yodeling phenomenon in Georgian traditional polyphonic music

Krimanchuli refers to a certain kind of high-pitched top voice in Georgian traditional polyphonic singing (songs with three or four voices), performed with a specific technique and creating a distinct acoustic effect. The aim of this article is to further determine the krimanchuli phenomenon by putting a special emphasis on its musical character and its function in Georgian traditional polyphonic songs; to represent other specific top voices (with a closer look at gamkivani) from Georgian folk music, which are similar to krimanchuli, and to reveal their different musical characteristics; and to demonstrate traditional patterns and contemporary variations (if present) of krimanchuli through performance practices of leading Georgian folk musicians, so-called mokrimanchuleebi (krimanchuli performers) of different times.