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History of Hawaiian Falsetto Music

The origins of Hawaiian falsetto singing and how it has evolved over the years.

Origins of Falsetto Singing
Hawaiian falsetto evolved from ancient Hawaiian chants, missionary hymns, and the music of the Mexican, Spanish, and Portuguese immigrants to Hawaii, who introduced stringed instruments and new harmonies. Those influences blended together for 100 years to produce Hawaiian style falsetto singing, or as it is known in Hawaiian, leo ki'eki'e (high voice).

Can Both Men and Women Be Falsetto Singers?
When Hawaiian women were forbidden to sing in public, men sang the high-pitched notes usually reserved for women. Male performers threw their voices into the upper registers of the musical scale, while singing stories of Hawaiian culture. Today both men and women sing in the Hawaiian falsetto style, but some purists say only men should be called falsetto singers, and women should be called sopranos or female falsetto singers. Note that the Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest is a competition for men only.

Articles About the History of Falsetto Singing
  • LeAnn Rimes Yodel Translates to Hawaiian Hai
  • Donne Dawson Hawaiian Falsetto Article
  • Smithsonian on Hawaiian Falsetto Singing

    See also:
  • Hawaiian Falsetto Singers
  • Hawaiian Falsetto Contests



  • Related Links
    Hawaiian Falsetto Singing - Main Menu
    Hawaiian Music History
    Hawaii Travel Newsletter





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