I find the imperfect vocal cracks, yodels, and off pitch sounds to be totally mesmerizing and strangely beautiful. Feels very stylized and human in this song.
The sharp (almost unpleasant) vocals are a traditional way of singing, called "kauking/kulking", translated to "a herding call". "Kauking" refers to a specific form of shouting or screaming, and it is a traditional singing technique practiced in certain cultures, especially in parts of Norway. This technique often involves powerful, high-pitched sounds and can have a distinctive and recognizable resonance. Historically, kauking has been used as a way to communicate over distances in nature, such as in mountainous areas or open landscapes, where the voice can carry far - that's why it's so sharp! And it's supposed to have all those voice cracks and "weird" pauses. It is also used in folk music and has become a part of the Norwegian cultural heritage. This band has been around for quite a while, and I think they're very comfortable on the stage, so it's not exactly nerves... They know exactly what they're doing and the vocalist knows exactly what vocal technique she's going for... It's folk rock.
The way she sing is intentional it’s not vocal issues🙂 this is their style. This band has been around for years and are really big in Norway. They mix traditional style of signing with rock, and also use old folktales in their lyrics.
Yes i kind of knew what it was. It looks like a nyckelharpa but i think there are a bit different here in Uppland, Sweden. Great genre in my opinion and I like the use of a scandinavian language but a part in english is always appreciated.
@@triplef-funfromfreddy4356 Kulning and kulokk is really the same thing, swedish call it kulning and norwegian call it kulokk. Both was used to call in the herds of cows by budeiene/ mjölkerska.
@@deddyson not after you've seen the result. It's sad they were ranked last, it is such a great song.But I'm glad we didn't send Keiino, the Rybak desaster was enough ...or others😁
Ulveham means Wolfskin, and is based on an old fairytale. A girl is turned into a wolf by her evil stepmother, and she cannot become human again unless she drinks the blood of her brother. One day she finds her pregnant stepmother in the woods, and takes the blood of her unborn baby brother. Pretty dark.. The lyrics are in old Norwegian so I don’t understand it 100% but it goes something like this: I was a pretty and good girl With stepmother evil, my mother died She turned me into a beast and a needle And sent me away to the king’s garden And my stepmother will feel my wrath When everyone likes me better this way(not sure about this one) Lokk(chorus) She gave me a coat like wolf gray She swore I’d be lonely walking in the woods And I will never be whole and well Before I get to drink my brother’s blood Lokk(chorus 2) Lokk/Kulokk/Kulning is traditional Norwegian singing used to herd cattle. It’s supposed to be loud, sharp, raspy and a bit cracked:)
The lyrics are translated from norse (viking norwegian) to nynorsk ("new norwegian", as opposed to the "bokmål, which is the more dominant written language). Nynorsk is really good for singing and poetry.
Singing with such power using these vocal techniques in a high range can be challenging for the voice. In the studio version, it's more balanced, but Gåte is known for their energetic live performances. Holding back too much would have far worse consequences for the overall expression, but it seems she is adjusting and balancing her performance towards the semifinals and finals in Malmö. She likely aims to ensure her voice can sustain the song throughout. I find it charming and perfect with all of its imperfections anyway. It becomes more ethnically authentic. There was good vocalist back then as well but probably not as professional as Gunnhild, and that’s the preference I bring to my judgement. Gunnhild has been singing Norwegian folk music (kveding) since she was nine years old and has a degree in the subject. She has also explored classical and jazz in her more than 25-year-long career as a professional artist. She probably knows well where the challenges lie, and her live performances are likely getting better and better. Additionally, the vocals must integrate the natural scale or tuning from Norwegian folk music with the 440 Hz equal temperament. For those accustomed only to equal temperament, this might sound off-pitch, but such deviation is intentional to capture the ethnic nuances. You also mentioned the gaps in the vocal arrangement. The goal is not to produce modern music with an ethnic flavor but to present ethnic folk music with a contemporary sound. Essentially, this type of singing (kvad) doesn't have choruses per se either. There are repetitions, but they are either sung as repetitions of the lines, the last line or as short repetitions within the verses. The reason for the gaps is because the instrument (nøkkelharpe) plays those repetitions with a contra melody in the first part of the verses. Gåte does create choruses, but here this is resolved by incorporating Norwegian kulokk (herding calls).
Fun fact: the song is based off a 1000 year old Norwegian folklore! Also the violin like instrument is called Nyckelharpa(or key fiddle in English) and it’s actually a Swedish instrument! The instrument has strings similar to a violin's which produce tones by the drawing action of a bow.
Gåte is just amazing, fantastic power and energy. The voice from Mother Earth! ❤️ Beautiful Gunnhild - this is what Eurovision (the world) needs right now! 12 points 🥇
Her "flaws" are on purpose, based on the text of the song. I think she's brave like a boss for not trying to sing perfect all the time. And the instrument in the beginning is called nyckelharpa, and is a traditional Swedish instrument. Gunnhild doesn't do anything that isn't thought through, so what happens vocally is for a reason. Probably very little nerves in play here. Totally misunderstanding the concept from Honest Vocal Coach obviously. I've heard Gunnhild singing really tricky stuff hanging up-side-down in a waterfall. BTW, the chanting in the beginning is called Kauking, and had the purpose of calling back the herd back in the days. It's traditional like Kveding in Norway.
I'm sure her voice cracks are intentional, she has great control of her voice. When she wants to keep the singing "clean" of these effects, she surely can, check out some calmer songs of theirs. If she would apply all your recommendations (and I'm sure she has the skills to do that) then we'd end up with a folk-metal song sung with a pop voice, which would be weird. Can you imagine this song with Loreen's or Celine Dion's voice? 🤣😂
The instrument is called nyckelharpa. The style of singing the vocalist is singing in the refrain is called kulokk in Norwegian, or hearding call in English.
Very difficult to review this singing style. Her singing style is based on a technique that dates back to the early Middle Ages, possibly much older. The Romans who described Norse people singing likened it to wolf howls and wild animal screams.
I think she is incorprating a traditional Norwegian folk style of music that has come out from "laling", also known as "hjaling", "hauking", "huving", "kauking" and "gukko", which is esssentially a call for the herd animals to come down from the mountains, their summer grazing, to the farm. So it's a very distinct sound that was meant to carry as far as possible. And she's building on that. I believe. I'm Norwegian myself, but anyone who has more knowledge about this, feel free to correct me
For those that dont know. The Singing in the beginning is from the traditional "Kulokk". This is how they would call the cows down from the mountains when it was time to get them in. The variation in pitch and tone would carry well in the mountains.
This is their first performance! When they got to the final, they had to rewrite the lyrics, so the second performance in the final it was WAY better, and it was better for her voice as well!! I suggest you check out the final performance from Gåte
is this the semifinal or final version? her vocal was massively improved in the final and the winner’s performance was incredible. they also had to change the lyrics between the semi and the final due to the broadcaster.
Dear honest vocal coach. This is a folk song and this is how you sing. You really need to learn more about different vocal traditions before you judge ❤
The song is their version of a folktale that seems to be spread around in Scandinavia in different versions. But the gist of it is: She is a beautiful maiden, but her mother dies in labor . The she gets an evil stepmom who turns her into a sword, but she is still the most preferred sword by the men, which upsets her stepmom. The stepmom turns her then into a needle, but she's still the most preferred needle by the tailor, which upsets her stepmom. So the stepmom turns her into a wolf (giving her wolfskin (ulveham)) to roam alone in the forest. She can not turn back into a maiden until she drinks the blood of her stepmom (in this song it's brother). When she kills her stepmom as a wolf and drink the blood of her brother who her stepmom is pregnant with and then turns back into a maiden.
I'm not Norwegian and until hearing this song not familiar with the fairytale, so I may be completely wrong. That said, the way I got the wolf curse was that she'd have to drink her brother's blood to end it, which she could fulfill when the stepmother became pregnant of her stepbrother, and by drinking her stepmother's blood (+killing both her and the unborn stepbrother as she tore out the heart) she also got her (step)brother's blood to break the curse in a, for the stepmother unintended, way.
Gunnhild has grown up with folk music, she had her first job singing at about 10 years old, and at 13, she and her older brother started Gåte. They had great success in their first years, and worked with all the best folk musicians in Norway. Then, they had a long hiatus, where she trained, and she's got all the formal education you could wish for. But she has also expressed that Gåte isn't that. Gåte is about channelling the forces of nature, it is a different thing.
norwegian folk music and any kind of rock is primarily about expression. and some people like fore eksample the vocalist in Gåte have been singing or "Kveding" since she was 9 year old. the mistakes you hear in her voice is also presentin the studio version meaning that it is not intended to be pitch perfect.
It´s not "mistakes" though, it´s part of this particular traditional style. If she was supposed to sing this in a classical aesthetic style, it would be natural to assume certain sounds were indeed mistakes.
I'm breathless - each line of Gunnhild's vocals offers magical tips and tricks (pertaining to that type of folklore singing so other comments tell me) the song builds and develops - there's a lot going on. This is a live TV mix? I would have loved to hear more syncopation between the drums and bass but maybe they were so compressed into the depths of my AKG headphones. The vocal gaps have slap echos and spins of bvs. I am blown away by the creativity and talent on show here. A cup of tea and repeat is required. Best -
In Norway she master a tradisional old folk singing tec called "kved" in norwegian she`s mastering it totaly . the band has 20 years of this folk/rock ... try their first album caled "JYGRI" shees 15years old ,,,,,
Gåte plays folk metal, and they are using historical sources. This text is more than 1000 Years old. The "imperfections" vocally is actually there intentionally as it's based upon the traditional songstyle in Norwegian called a "lokk" a "kullning" and It's intentions is to call upon animals far away to come to her, and The "imperfections" makes the sound travel in the mountains and the woods. The Instrument is called "Langeleik"
Vocal issiues,and cracks! Don't you know about our Norwegian singing tradition,expressing microtonallity🎉,outside ordinary tempered scales.This is our centuries old style in singing and using the instruments,very sofistcated🎉,developed over the centuries. The girl is singing puretuned🎉,no issiues and cracks!? Listen to Eivind Groven's 1.symphony on RUclips, and you will hear the same tonallity. His symphonic music and choiresongs are growing up from the same rich folkloristic soil in our valleys,never tempered🎉,allways puretuned🎉,as does the "kveding" (Google)vocalist.."Gåte" ( enigma) is the real deal! "Ulveham",( wolf skinnwalker),the girl trapped in a wolfhide. At last she is breaking the spell.This is the ancient horror-ballade's main plott and team, ending in freedom and release.An ancient songtune fused with hardrock!!!
The instrument is a 'Nyckelharpa' (ie. key harp or key fiddle). It is of Swedish origin and English apparently uses the Swedish name. It's a bowed instrument using tangents along the neck to change the pitch during play. (Somewhat similar to a hurdy-gurdy). It's of Swedish origin. Very little is known about its history. The oldest known descriptions is from the mid 1300's. It's, of course, also known in Norway. Sweden and Norway are culturally closely connected. It's easy to find the political border between them on a map. Finding cultural borders are not quite as easy and is often quite pointless too.
The band had to change the lyrics during the week between their semi-final and the final so you coulg go watch it and see if you see a difference in the vocal performance that could caused by that. Also, Norway is sending a song in their language for the first time since 2006, I think it's nice they do! And the group that came 2nd in the final (and would have came 1st if the jury/televote ratio was 50/50 instead of 40/60) is no other than Keiino! Their song is quite different from the two previous ones I find and highligjts better the voice of Alexandra, I would be interested to see your reaction to it or maybe your thoughts! (And if you do, I recommand to you to do it with their performance of the final)
I like Gåte for a long time they have some good older songs. Cant remember the name of the instrument but i think Secret garden used same instrument in 1995
The mysterious instrument is a "nyckelharpa" - a keyharp. Much used in Sweden over the past 600 years. If you remember Secret Garden winning in 1995; they made use of this also. Otherwise; thanks for most enjoyable videos. Greetings from Norway.
Gunhild sings in traditional Norwegian folk music called kulokk/calling and to say she needs to work on her vocals when it is suppose to sound like that.. It is like i should say that morris dancers needs to take dancing classes
Directly translated lyrics to english: I was a nice and pretty young woman But my stepmother was bad, my mother (had) died She made me/changed me and a needle? (not 100% sure about this, might be changed me to something big/ugly) And sent me away to the kings farm And the wrath my stepmother felt the most (was) when all of the nicest (men most likely) liked me the most/best She gave me a mane like (a) wolf gray She swore me to walk (forever) alone in the forest And never to become whole and good Before ive drank my brothers blood. The norwegian they are singing in is a form of old norwegian (gammelnorsk) which isnt how norwegians speak today (bokmål/nynorsk), so its a bit hard to translate.
So happy that you liked it, Georgina! I regard your Eurovision reactions as the most professional, and therefore most important 👌 I noticed that you watched the semifinal performance, because the lyrics were changed a bit before the final. Some say she sang even better in the final, but I think it does not matter much which performance you watched. The instrument is a nøkkelharpe (key harp). It is maybe Swedish originally, but also used very much in Norwegian folk music. A funfact is that Secret Garden also used it when they won ESC with Nocturne for Norway in 1995. The story of the song in short: It is from a medieval fairytale. A girl is cursed by her jealous stepmother and transformed into a wolf (ulveham = wolf skin). She is sent out into the woods. The curse can only be broken if she drinks her brother’s blood. Later she kills her stepmother and rips out her heart. By chance, the stepmother is pregnant with the girl’s halfbrother. Thereby she drinks her brother’s blood and the curse is broken. Greetings and thanks from Norway 🇳🇴
I always appreciate the honesty and quality in your videos, but this time I kind of feel like you missed a few points. I think it would be a good idea if you sometimes do some research on the music genre before you post your reaction. This is traditional Norwegian music, her voice is supposed to sound like that.
The instrument is the Norwegian traditional Strengeleik (String play) I think there is a similar instrument in Sweden as well. The singing where the comments on crack of vocal is as well a traditional teqnique. The traditional singing is also the reasons for the gaps.
I am so pleased that Norway chose this song, it is so Nordic influenced. Easy to say maybe, when belonging a part of the culture, maybe kinda different🦉🦊⛸🥼🌁🏔
Ur reacting to the semi final version of the song. They had to change some of the lyrics for the final so you should react to the grand final version of it! It’s also performed in a bigger arena
The instrument played here is called Nyckelharpa and is not actually original from Norway but from Sweden, belonging to the same family as the hurdy-gurdy. It’s a bowed chordophone, similar in appearance to a violin, which employs key-actuated tangents along the neck to change the pitch during play.
The instrument is called nøkkelharpe. And please don't compare Gunhild to evanescence lol. Gåte is older than that. It's a very old style to call the cows actually. The lore of the song is over 1000 years old, and yes her voice is supposed to sound shaky and breaking. This is Norwegian history and to us atleast it sounds awesome (we're just trying to show the rest of the world how we did it 1000 years ago but amped up) but thanks for your opinion 😊
For me, this song is interesting. I think the jury will appreciate it. I like it quite well even if my favorites remain my France and Luxembourg. I hope Norway qualifies for the final with this song. I am sure that with the means of the EBU, the scene will be epic!
I agree with you, is too bad that Georgina has reacted to this previous version. In this moment so important for their career they would deserve more attention making analysis to this kind of singing style before the sufficient knowledge of Norwegian style of Lokk. It’s interesting when you highlight how she closes musical phrases in a similar way of yodel but definitely the singer doesn’t have a nasal voice without breathing support at all.
I dont think you really understand the singing when you think this is bad singing. Maybe if you see Maria Misgeld- Introduction to Kulning tecnique you will understand what you are seeing better 😉 When you react to numbers as a vocal coach I would recommend some research first..
Norwegian folk song is supposed to be performed with a voice used with unstable cracks, it's ment to represent the call for animals, it's a natural use of the voice and it's a highly professional use of a specific song technique. It's always a good idea to have at least some knowledge about historical music styles and the use of singing voice in different cultures. Ignorance is not a bliss. 🖤😎👍
my fave right now. the lead singer accidently tripped or fell at 05:09 in her semi final performance which did not happen in her final performance. thats why her vocals sound better in her final run through.
Every English-speaking ESC-commentator always: (Ok, not every, but quite a few...) 1. Can't pronounce the name of the band so I'll just say it wrong, haha! 2. The song is in some weird language other than English, no clue what it's about! (laughter) Will not be bothered to research, plz tell me in the comments. 3. Weird instrument! No time to google, please tell me in the comments. 4. "Folksy vibe" (meaning Scandinavian, Balkan, Eastern European or Mediterranean) No idea about the folk music or vocal traditions of those countries so let's judge this on the basis of generic Anglo-American pop-music!
Instruent is a traditional nordic instrument called nyckelharpa/key harp. Band has been around for about 20 years and do folk rock. This song is based in a medieval or even earlier traditional song . Evil stepmom, turning her in to a wolf doomed to wander the woods unless she drink the blood of her brother . Stepmom pregnant with her half brother so she kills the stepmom and drink her and the halfbrothers blood to break the curse. The way she sings is traditional and the wordless chorus is actually a traditional kuhkall. How women would call in the cows grazing on the mountain and also a way to communicate between women. Many countries has something like it, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain…
So far, except from France, for me it sounded like really good vocals compared to all the others qualified! It's one of my favourites, especially after learning the story and lyrics! It's really cool though to hear the tips, I love your videos, always pushing people to be better! 😍
not my cup of tea, but I can see why it won. the song is vastly different from anything that Norway's selection had ever had in the past couple years. not only it's sung in Norwegian, but also in Old Norse dialect which is spoken by a small Norwegian minority.
Finally a song in Norwegian from Norway. The high pitch singing is a very old technique in Nordic countries. I hope this will go far. 12 points from Sweden.
She was the only actor that didn't need a mic for all of the audience to hear her clearly in the hair musical in trondheim theatre. 😊 every sound is controlled to a t.
This is the issue with the american reactors and vocal coaches reacting to eurovision. Its a whole other culture. All these things considered mistakes from american perspective are what many of the european cultures are built on when it comes to music. Ethnic elements like dramatic yodles and vocal cracks are a big part of scandinavia. "Nasality" for example is one of the common mistakes people point out as nasal vocals are a part of many european languages. The vocal is supposed to be nasal when speaking and singing xD
This band has been going for 20 years. Folk rock, this is her style. That's how it should be.
Very cool stuf, I'm definitely going to check out their back catalog.
True, but she does crack several places. Doesn’t mean she is a terrible singer. It’s a very demanding song to sing!
But the average ESC viewer doesn't know that. For me it just sounds out of tune
@@Miamia_01Interestingly she cracked less in the winner’s performance in the end of the show. Less performance anxiety maybe
I find the imperfect vocal cracks, yodels, and off pitch sounds to be totally mesmerizing and strangely beautiful. Feels very stylized and human in this song.
It isnt imperfect or vocal cracks it is Norwegian folk music called kulokk/calling and are suppose to sound like this.
And of pitch?! No
@@susannradal9303Still sounds shit though.
@@susannradal9303Have you ever listened to kulokk? The imperfections what shes talking about is not about kulokk at all.
@@user-ol2ss6me6nYou have shit taste in music though.
Lol I never thought I'd hear someone tell Gunnhild to work on her vocals after over two decades as one of the greatest singers in Scandinavia. 😅
Yeah, it's a special and traditional style. It's incredible that she's been in Gåte since she was 13/14 years old.
Neither do I 😅
Although i think her vocals are outstanding, she saw the 2nd semifinal where she definetly had small flaws, thats my opinion at least
this woman cant sing herself, so its funny
Everyone and anyone could get some advice from professionals, even if they've been in their business for decades! We all learn, every day! ;)
The sharp (almost unpleasant) vocals are a traditional way of singing, called "kauking/kulking", translated to "a herding call". "Kauking" refers to a specific form of shouting or screaming, and it is a traditional singing technique practiced in certain cultures, especially in parts of Norway. This technique often involves powerful, high-pitched sounds and can have a distinctive and recognizable resonance. Historically, kauking has been used as a way to communicate over distances in nature, such as in mountainous areas or open landscapes, where the voice can carry far - that's why it's so sharp! And it's supposed to have all those voice cracks and "weird" pauses. It is also used in folk music and has become a part of the Norwegian cultural heritage.
This band has been around for quite a while, and I think they're very comfortable on the stage, so it's not exactly nerves... They know exactly what they're doing and the vocalist knows exactly what vocal technique she's going for... It's folk rock.
The way she sing is intentional it’s not vocal issues🙂 this is their style. This band has been around for years and are really big in Norway. They mix traditional style of signing with rock, and also use old folktales in their lyrics.
sure.. :joy:
This! It’s a similar thing to Ukraine from 2021. It’s a specific style which is so cool but people think it doesn’t sound right which I don’t get
If you listen to the studio version of this song you will notice that some notes were off, I love this song though
@@nacho615as they already said, it's intentional
@@ShaesKyu Singing coaches are often too set in their ways and don't know anything that deviates from the standard.
The instrument is called a nøkkelharpe/Nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle / key harp)😄its used in a lot of scandinavian folkmusic!🥰
It is even used in the song "Nocturne" by Secret Garden! (Norway 1995)
"Just make something up, no one will know"
Yes i kind of knew what it was. It looks like a nyckelharpa but i think there are a bit different here in Uppland, Sweden. Great genre in my opinion and I like the use of a scandinavian language but a part in english is always appreciated.
The chorus is a herding call, kulning. So she does not sing words/lyrics but herding all good powers!
I think Kulning is more of a name for that chanting practiced in Sweden. Kulokk is the recording used at the beginning of the song
@@triplef-funfromfreddy4356 Kulning and kulokk is really the same thing, swedish call it kulning and norwegian call it kulokk. Both was used to call in the herds of cows by budeiene/ mjölkerska.
Different words for the same thing.
I think this is the perfect choice of a song to represent Norway! We haven't had a song in Norwegian since 2006 so it was about time we sent another
Agree. I hope your neighbor Sweden 🇸🇪 learn from this
And what is the song about?
it's an old folk tale about an evil step mother, a curse and things like that. It's about breaking free@@egarosegarev
@@deddyson not after you've seen the result. It's sad they were ranked last, it is such a great song.But I'm glad we didn't send Keiino, the Rybak desaster was enough ...or others😁
Ulveham means Wolfskin, and is based on an old fairytale. A girl is turned into a wolf by her evil stepmother, and she cannot become human again unless she drinks the blood of her brother. One day she finds her pregnant stepmother in the woods, and takes the blood of her unborn baby brother. Pretty dark..
The lyrics are in old Norwegian so I don’t understand it 100% but it goes something like this:
I was a pretty and good girl
With stepmother evil, my mother died
She turned me into a beast and a needle
And sent me away to the king’s garden
And my stepmother will feel my wrath
When everyone likes me better this way(not sure about this one)
Lokk(chorus)
She gave me a coat like wolf gray
She swore I’d be lonely walking in the woods
And I will never be whole and well
Before I get to drink my brother’s blood
Lokk(chorus 2)
Lokk/Kulokk/Kulning is traditional Norwegian singing used to herd cattle. It’s supposed to be loud, sharp, raspy and a bit cracked:)
The lyrics are translated from norse (viking norwegian) to nynorsk ("new norwegian", as opposed to the "bokmål, which is the more dominant written language). Nynorsk is really good for singing and poetry.
Singing with such power using these vocal techniques in a high range can be challenging for the voice. In the studio version, it's more balanced, but Gåte is known for their energetic live performances. Holding back too much would have far worse consequences for the overall expression, but it seems she is adjusting and balancing her performance towards the semifinals and finals in Malmö. She likely aims to ensure her voice can sustain the song throughout. I find it charming and perfect with all of its imperfections anyway. It becomes more ethnically authentic. There was good vocalist back then as well but probably not as professional as Gunnhild, and that’s the preference I bring to my judgement.
Gunnhild has been singing Norwegian folk music (kveding) since she was nine years old and has a degree in the subject. She has also explored classical and jazz in her more than 25-year-long career as a professional artist. She probably knows well where the challenges lie, and her live performances are likely getting better and better.
Additionally, the vocals must integrate the natural scale or tuning from Norwegian folk music with the 440 Hz equal temperament. For those accustomed only to equal temperament, this might sound off-pitch, but such deviation is intentional to capture the ethnic nuances.
You also mentioned the gaps in the vocal arrangement. The goal is not to produce modern music with an ethnic flavor but to present ethnic folk music with a contemporary sound. Essentially, this type of singing (kvad) doesn't have choruses per se either. There are repetitions, but they are either sung as repetitions of the lines, the last line or as short repetitions within the verses. The reason for the gaps is because the instrument (nøkkelharpe) plays those repetitions with a contra melody in the first part of the verses. Gåte does create choruses, but here this is resolved by incorporating Norwegian kulokk (herding calls).
Tusen takk for lærerikt svar. Det var veldig interessant🥰👏🏼
She sings in a style that's equivalent to "kveing" - traditional Norwegian singing. You should check that out
Fun fact: the song is based off a 1000 year old Norwegian folklore! Also the violin like instrument is called Nyckelharpa(or key fiddle in English) and it’s actually a Swedish instrument! The instrument has strings similar to a violin's which produce tones by the drawing action of a bow.
Love it. Most interesting entry from Norway in years.
This is my favourite song so far!! 🇳🇴 btw I think the instrument is called a nyckelharpa 👍
the song has strong roots in norwegian folklore and music.
This is a potential winner. its so good!
Gåte is just amazing, fantastic power and energy. The voice from Mother Earth! ❤️ Beautiful Gunnhild - this is what Eurovision (the world) needs right now! 12 points 🥇
Her "flaws" are on purpose, based on the text of the song. I think she's brave like a boss for not trying to sing perfect all the time. And the instrument in the beginning is called nyckelharpa, and is a traditional Swedish instrument. Gunnhild doesn't do anything that isn't thought through, so what happens vocally is for a reason. Probably very little nerves in play here. Totally misunderstanding the concept from Honest Vocal Coach obviously. I've heard Gunnhild singing really tricky stuff hanging up-side-down in a waterfall. BTW, the chanting in the beginning is called Kauking, and had the purpose of calling back the herd back in the days. It's traditional like Kveding in Norway.
I'm sure her voice cracks are intentional, she has great control of her voice. When she wants to keep the singing "clean" of these effects, she surely can, check out some calmer songs of theirs.
If she would apply all your recommendations (and I'm sure she has the skills to do that) then we'd end up with a folk-metal song sung with a pop voice, which would be weird. Can you imagine this song with Loreen's or Celine Dion's voice? 🤣😂
The instrument is called nyckelharpa. The style of singing the vocalist is singing in the refrain is called kulokk in Norwegian, or hearding call in English.
The "screaming" is "kulokk", tradditionally how the maidens called in the cows from the contryside back in the day. (chorus)
Very difficult to review this singing style. Her singing style is based on a technique that dates back to the early Middle Ages, possibly much older. The Romans who described Norse people singing likened it to wolf howls and wild animal screams.
I think she is incorprating a traditional Norwegian folk style of music that has come out from "laling", also known as "hjaling", "hauking", "huving", "kauking" and "gukko", which is esssentially a call for the herd animals to come down from the mountains, their summer grazing, to the farm. So it's a very distinct sound that was meant to carry as far as possible. And she's building on that. I believe. I'm Norwegian myself, but anyone who has more knowledge about this, feel free to correct me
For those that dont know. The Singing in the beginning is from the traditional "Kulokk". This is how they would call the cows down from the mountains when it was time to get them in. The variation in pitch and tone would carry well in the mountains.
This is their first performance! When they got to the final, they had to rewrite the lyrics, so the second performance in the final it was WAY better, and it was better for her voice as well!! I suggest you check out the final performance from Gåte
The instrument is called "Nøkkelharpe" (key harp/ keyed fiddle). It is a Swedish traditional instrument.
is this the semifinal or final version? her vocal was massively improved in the final and the winner’s performance was incredible. they also had to change the lyrics between the semi and the final due to the broadcaster.
It's from the semi final.
Dear honest vocal coach. This is a folk song and this is how you sing. You really need to learn more about different vocal traditions before you judge ❤
Ulveham is probably the BEST song Norway has ever sent!
I’m feeling soo proud to be 25% Norwegian 🇳🇴❤️🇸🇪
Yes definitely it is as well as Nocturne by Secret Garden in 1995.
I wish I was Norwegian right now, I'd be so proud hearing this song representing my country !
The song is their version of a folktale that seems to be spread around in Scandinavia in different versions. But the gist of it is:
She is a beautiful maiden, but her mother dies in labor .
The she gets an evil stepmom who turns her into a sword, but she is still the most preferred sword by the men, which upsets her stepmom.
The stepmom turns her then into a needle, but she's still the most preferred needle by the tailor, which upsets her stepmom.
So the stepmom turns her into a wolf (giving her wolfskin (ulveham)) to roam alone in the forest.
She can not turn back into a maiden until she drinks the blood of her stepmom (in this song it's brother).
When she kills her stepmom as a wolf and drink the blood of her brother who her stepmom is pregnant with and then turns back into a maiden.
I'm not Norwegian and until hearing this song not familiar with the fairytale, so I may be completely wrong.
That said, the way I got the wolf curse was that she'd have to drink her brother's blood to end it, which she could fulfill when the stepmother became pregnant of her stepbrother, and by drinking her stepmother's blood (+killing both her and the unborn stepbrother as she tore out the heart) she also got her (step)brother's blood to break the curse in a, for the stepmother unintended, way.
Gunnhild has grown up with folk music, she had her first job singing at about 10 years old, and at 13, she and her older brother started Gåte. They had great success in their first years, and worked with all the best folk musicians in Norway. Then, they had a long hiatus, where she trained, and she's got all the formal education you could wish for. But she has also expressed that Gåte isn't that. Gåte is about channelling the forces of nature, it is a different thing.
norwegian folk music and any kind of rock is primarily about expression. and some people like fore eksample the vocalist in Gåte have been singing or "Kveding" since she was 9 year old.
the mistakes you hear in her voice is also presentin the studio version meaning that it is not intended to be pitch perfect.
It´s not "mistakes" though, it´s part of this particular traditional style. If she was supposed to sing this in a classical aesthetic style, it would be natural to assume certain sounds were indeed mistakes.
I'm breathless - each line of Gunnhild's vocals offers magical tips and tricks (pertaining to that type of folklore singing so other comments tell me) the song builds and develops - there's a lot going on. This is a live TV mix? I would have loved to hear more syncopation between the drums and bass but maybe they were so compressed into the depths of my AKG headphones. The vocal gaps have slap echos and spins of bvs. I am blown away by the creativity and talent on show here. A cup of tea and repeat is required. Best -
she is not cracking, the chorus is a way of calling the cows back from their walks in the mountains.
In Norway she master a tradisional old folk singing tec called "kved" in norwegian
she`s mastering it totaly . the band has 20 years of this folk/rock ... try their first album caled "JYGRI" shees 15years old ,,,,,
I’m in love with this song, what a masterpiece! 🎉🎉❤
Gåte plays folk metal, and they are using historical sources. This text is more than 1000 Years old.
The "imperfections" vocally is actually there intentionally as it's based upon the traditional songstyle in Norwegian called a "lokk" a "kullning" and It's intentions is to call upon animals far away to come to her, and The "imperfections" makes the sound travel in the mountains and the woods.
The Instrument is called "Langeleik"
Vocal issiues,and cracks! Don't you know about our Norwegian singing tradition,expressing microtonallity🎉,outside ordinary tempered scales.This is our centuries old style in singing and using the instruments,very sofistcated🎉,developed over the centuries. The girl is singing puretuned🎉,no issiues and cracks!? Listen to Eivind Groven's 1.symphony on RUclips, and you will hear the same tonallity. His symphonic music and choiresongs are growing up from the same rich folkloristic soil in our valleys,never tempered🎉,allways puretuned🎉,as does the "kveding" (Google)vocalist.."Gåte" ( enigma) is the real deal! "Ulveham",( wolf skinnwalker),the girl trapped in a wolfhide. At last she is breaking the spell.This is the ancient horror-ballade's main plott and team, ending in freedom and release.An ancient songtune fused with hardrock!!!
I am always very glad to see countries who bring their folk traditional music into Eurovision, and I always vote to support them.
The instrument is a "Nyckelharpa" a swedish instrument translated to "Key harp", The tangents along the neck can change the pitch.
The instrument is an ancient nordic isntrument! It’s called a ”Nyckelharpa (In Swedish)” and I’ve seen it a lot in the nordic folk-music industry.
I don’t think you understand what type of singing or music this is. It’s traditional northern folk singing, that’s how it’s supposed to be
The instrument is a 'Nyckelharpa' (ie. key harp or key fiddle). It is of Swedish origin and English apparently uses the Swedish name. It's a bowed instrument using tangents along the neck to change the pitch during play. (Somewhat similar to a hurdy-gurdy). It's of Swedish origin. Very little is known about its history. The oldest known descriptions is from the mid 1300's.
It's, of course, also known in Norway. Sweden and Norway are culturally closely connected. It's easy to find the political border between them on a map. Finding cultural borders are not quite as easy and is often quite pointless too.
Absolutely fantastic band and vocalist. ❤
Hmmm when you stop all the time you can't ever get the feeling of the song and performance. I hope Norway will win this year ❤
This unfortunately was an undeserved reaction for Gåte by Georgina 😢
The band had to change the lyrics during the week between their semi-final and the final so you coulg go watch it and see if you see a difference in the vocal performance that could caused by that. Also, Norway is sending a song in their language for the first time since 2006, I think it's nice they do!
And the group that came 2nd in the final (and would have came 1st if the jury/televote ratio was 50/50 instead of 40/60) is no other than Keiino! Their song is quite different from the two previous ones I find and highligjts better the voice of Alexandra, I would be interested to see your reaction to it or maybe your thoughts! (And if you do, I recommand to you to do it with their performance of the final)
I like Gåte for a long time they have some good older songs.
Cant remember the name of the instrument but i think Secret garden used same instrument in 1995
The mysterious instrument is a "nyckelharpa" - a keyharp. Much used in Sweden over the past 600 years. If you remember Secret Garden winning in 1995; they made use of this also. Otherwise; thanks for most enjoyable videos. Greetings from Norway.
jeeses, the sound she is making is kinda the point
The instrument is called a key harp. It dates back to at least the mid 15th century, but is likely a lot older than that.
Gunhild sings in traditional Norwegian folk music called kulokk/calling and to say she needs to work on her vocals when it is suppose to sound like that..
It is like i should say that morris dancers needs to take dancing classes
Directly translated lyrics to english:
I was a nice and pretty young woman
But my stepmother was bad, my mother (had) died
She made me/changed me and a needle? (not 100% sure about this, might be changed me to something big/ugly)
And sent me away to the kings farm
And the wrath my stepmother felt the most (was)
when all of the nicest (men most likely) liked me the most/best
She gave me a mane like (a) wolf gray
She swore me to walk (forever) alone in the forest
And never to become whole and good
Before ive drank my brothers blood.
The norwegian they are singing in is a form of old norwegian (gammelnorsk) which isnt how norwegians speak today (bokmål/nynorsk), so its a bit hard to translate.
She's not struggling at all! This is her/their style, and based upon old traditions. The story is an old Norwegian myth
I dont know what the Norwegian name of the instrument is but in Sweden it is called Nyckelharpa (key harp). It is an old Nordic instrument.
Nøkkelharpe
"there is some vocal issues there" ??
This is hilarious 😂
Yes. I agree, only a Goddess can sing like this.
So happy that you liked it, Georgina! I regard your Eurovision reactions as the most professional, and therefore most important 👌 I noticed that you watched the semifinal performance, because the lyrics were changed a bit before the final. Some say she sang even better in the final, but I think it does not matter much which performance you watched.
The instrument is a nøkkelharpe (key harp). It is maybe Swedish originally, but also used very much in Norwegian folk music. A funfact is that Secret Garden also used it when they won ESC with Nocturne for Norway in 1995.
The story of the song in short: It is from a medieval fairytale. A girl is cursed by her jealous stepmother and transformed into a wolf (ulveham = wolf skin). She is sent out into the woods. The curse can only be broken if she drinks her brother’s blood. Later she kills her stepmother and rips out her heart. By chance, the stepmother is pregnant with the girl’s halfbrother. Thereby she drinks her brother’s blood and the curse is broken.
Greetings and thanks from Norway 🇳🇴
I always appreciate the honesty and quality in your videos, but this time I kind of feel like you missed a few points. I think it would be a good idea if you sometimes do some research on the music genre before you post your reaction. This is traditional Norwegian music, her voice is supposed to sound like that.
The instrument is the Norwegian traditional Strengeleik (String play) I think there is a similar instrument in Sweden as well. The singing where the comments on crack of vocal is as well a traditional teqnique. The traditional singing is also the reasons for the gaps.
It's a semi final performance. Her vocals improved much in the final. I love this song. Currently my nr 1 ❤❤❤
If you don't know about the vocal style, don't comment on it.
It's called a nyckelharpa, it's a swedish instrument, but also used in Norway. 😊 In english it's called a keyed fiddle or key harp.
looking forward to this video later. always love to see your reactions.
I am so pleased that Norway chose this song, it is so Nordic influenced. Easy to say maybe, when belonging a part of the culture, maybe kinda different🦉🦊⛸🥼🌁🏔
Ur reacting to the semi final version of the song. They had to change some of the lyrics for the final so you should react to the grand final version of it! It’s also performed in a bigger arena
Her voice is also much better in the grand final version😊
This is my favorite so far 🇧🇻❤️
The instrument played here is called Nyckelharpa and is not actually original from Norway but from Sweden, belonging to the same family as the hurdy-gurdy. It’s a bowed chordophone, similar in appearance to a violin, which employs key-actuated tangents along the neck to change the pitch during play.
The instrument is called nøkkelharpe. Vocal issues? Blanka had vocal issues 😅
The instrument is called nøkkelharpe. And please don't compare Gunhild to evanescence lol. Gåte is older than that. It's a very old style to call the cows actually. The lore of the song is over 1000 years old, and yes her voice is supposed to sound shaky and breaking. This is Norwegian history and to us atleast it sounds awesome (we're just trying to show the rest of the world how we did it 1000 years ago but amped up) but thanks for your opinion 😊
I was waiting for this one ❤
The violin like instrument is called a nøkkelharpe/nyckelharpa or Key harp in english
For me, this song is interesting. I think the jury will appreciate it. I like it quite well even if my favorites remain my France and Luxembourg. I hope Norway qualifies for the final with this song. I am sure that with the means of the EBU, the scene will be epic!
This is one of my favourites, ❤ I think this is a winner.
She sang better in the final, too bad you didn’t react to that one.
I agree with you, is too bad that Georgina has reacted to this previous version. In this moment so important for their career they would deserve more attention making analysis to this kind of singing style before the sufficient knowledge of Norwegian style of Lokk. It’s interesting when you highlight how she closes musical phrases in a similar way of yodel but definitely the singer doesn’t have a nasal voice without breathing support at all.
I believe the instrument you are referring to is a "Key Harp" or a "keyed fiddle", a folk instrument from Sweden.
That instrument is called ”nyckelharpa” in swedish, maybe key harp or key fiddle in english?
I love so much this song ❤ My favourite this year 😊
The instrument is called "Nøkkelharpe" meaning key-harp, but it's Nyckelharpa in English, basically the Swedish word for the instrument..
My ranking so far:
1. Norway
2. Ukraine
3. France
4. Luxembourg
5. Slovenia
6. Czechia
7. Malta
8. Spain
9. Albania
10. Ireland
My 1st and last place are identical, but I love the Slovenian song, but it pales a bit compared to this song, doesn't it?
Gåte are fantastic. The right winner. The instrument is a NØKKELHARPE - Key harp.
A few hundred years old folk string instrument.
I dont think you really understand the singing when you think this is bad singing. Maybe if you see Maria Misgeld- Introduction to Kulning tecnique you will understand what you are seeing better 😉 When you react to numbers as a vocal coach I would recommend some research first..
I believe the instrument is called swedish nyckelharpa :)
the instrument is a nyckelharpa/nøkkelharpe
I liked all the specific vocal stuff you talked about
Norwegian folk song is supposed to be performed with a voice used with unstable cracks, it's ment to represent the call for animals, it's a natural use of the voice and it's a highly professional use of a specific song technique. It's always a good idea to have at least some knowledge about historical music styles and the use of singing voice in different cultures. Ignorance is not a bliss. 🖤😎👍
My winner ❤❤ (so far)
The instrument is a nøkkelharpe (key harp)
She’s signing in a folk kind of way, difficult to explain, check out the singer ingebjørg bratland who sings similar but softer :)
my fave right now. the lead singer accidently tripped or fell at 05:09 in her semi final performance which did not happen in her final performance. thats why her vocals sound better in her final run through.
Every English-speaking ESC-commentator always:
(Ok, not every, but quite a few...)
1. Can't pronounce the name of the band so I'll just say it wrong, haha!
2. The song is in some weird language other than English, no clue what it's about! (laughter) Will not be bothered to research, plz tell me in the comments.
3. Weird instrument! No time to google, please tell me in the comments.
4. "Folksy vibe" (meaning Scandinavian, Balkan, Eastern European or Mediterranean) No idea about the folk music or vocal traditions of those countries so let's judge this on the basis of generic Anglo-American pop-music!
Instruent is a traditional nordic instrument called nyckelharpa/key harp. Band has been around for about 20 years and do folk rock. This song is based in a medieval or even earlier traditional song . Evil stepmom, turning her in to a wolf doomed to wander the woods unless she drink the blood of her brother . Stepmom pregnant with her half brother so she kills the stepmom and drink her and the halfbrothers blood to break the curse. The way she sings is traditional and the wordless chorus is actually a traditional kuhkall. How women would call in the cows grazing on the mountain and also a way to communicate between women. Many countries has something like it, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain…
Spain definitely my favourite at the moment. Norway and Ukraine are amazing, Ukraine a winner material honestly.
So far, except from France, for me it sounded like really good vocals compared to all the others qualified! It's one of my favourites, especially after learning the story and lyrics! It's really cool though to hear the tips, I love your videos, always pushing people to be better! 😍
not my cup of tea, but I can see why it won. the song is vastly different from anything that Norway's selection had ever had in the past couple years. not only it's sung in Norwegian, but also in Old Norse dialect which is spoken by a small Norwegian minority.
The instrument is called a ”nyckelharpa” (swedish)
love your reactions
Finally a song in Norwegian from Norway. The high pitch singing is a very old technique in Nordic countries. I hope this will go far. 12 points from Sweden.
Its called "nyckelharpa" in swedish :) its an old old instrument and i think she is singing "joik" which is common here in scandinavia.
no not joik, it's kulning, lokk, herding call between the text.
No it's not joik. The beginning is a record of "kulokk" which is calling in the cattle herd. She is used it as inspiration in her chorus.
She sings kullok, that calls animals. It's related nørron mytologi. Very special song. I loved the performance at GMP
She was the only actor that didn't need a mic for all of the audience to hear her clearly in the hair musical in trondheim theatre. 😊 every sound is controlled to a t.
This is the issue with the american reactors and vocal coaches reacting to eurovision. Its a whole other culture. All these things considered mistakes from american perspective are what many of the european cultures are built on when it comes to music. Ethnic elements like dramatic yodles and vocal cracks are a big part of scandinavia. "Nasality" for example is one of the common mistakes people point out as nasal vocals are a part of many european languages. The vocal is supposed to be nasal when speaking and singing xD
You have to get one thing right first. She is from Europe. Not America.