What do you need for yodelling?
Was braucht man zum Jodeln?
Correct answer: D
- A Wooden clogs.Holzschuhe.
- B a small whistle.eine kleine Pfeife.
- C your hands.die Hände.
- D your voice.die Stimme.
Why
Yodelling is a way of singing. You do not need an instrument, only your own voice.
Common mistakes
- B: a small whistle.
- A whistle is an instrument. But when you yodel, you sing with your voice.
- C: your hands.
- You may clap the beat with your hands, but the yodel itself comes from the voice.
Topic
Jass, yodelling, Fasnacht, Chilbi
Many Swiss traditions come from life in the countryside. Yodelling is one of them. When you yodel, you sing without words. The voice jumps quickly back and forth between a low chest voice and a high head voice. You do not need an instrument for it, only your own voice. Since 2025 Swiss yodelling has been part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage.
Culture, economy and Switzerland in the world
Traditions and sport
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 316 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.