Pontic Singing in Contemporary Greece: Vocal Techniques and Pedagogical Implications of an Aural/Oral Tradition
Konstantinos Tsahouridis

Abstract
This article examines the vocal techniques employed by performers of contemporary Greek Pontic traditional music. Combining fieldwork analysis with personal experience, the author offers an evidence-based explanation of the underlying cognitive and physiological processes that inform these techniques. While anatomical considerations constitute a central focus of this analysis, an appraisal of pedagogical implications suggests points for consideration that apply to aural/oral folk traditions, such as Pontic. The objectives of this research were: (a) to identify the current vocal techniques of singing in a Pontic style; (b) to bridge the gap between theory and practice in studies of voice and vocal production; (c) to illustrate how personal experience is relevant to ethnographic research in vocal music; and d) to suggest pedagogical approaches for those who wish to be engaged with a Pontic way of vocalization.

Full Text: PDF