without props, providing all sound effects exclusively with the voice. cathy berberian
The way words are written conveys musical intent. For instance, squashed letters indicate fast vocalization, while stretched letters suggest a longer duration. Waves or shifts in letter height indicate changes in pitch. Specific Symbols: Tarzan Figure: Used to trigger a Tarzan-like call. Childlike Figure:
Status: Generally unavailable due to copyright in the US and EU (Berberian died in 1983, so her works enter public domain in 2053 in many jurisdictions). Occasionally, user-uploaded previews appear, but rarely the full score.
| Comic Symbol | Vocal Action | Example from Score | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Explosive, sharp "BANG!" or "POW!" | Opening gesture | | Wavy lines | Glissando (slide) between pitches | “Woooosh” descending | | ZZZ | Snoring sound (inhale/exhale) | Mid-section rest | | Tears | Sob or weeping voice (con dolore) | Transition to slow section | | Musical staff | Sing a specific interval (usually a 3rd) | "La la la" | | Question mark | Rising inflection, confusion | "Eh?" | | Heart | Sigh or gasp | Climax release |
For those analyzing the , the piece can be broken down into distinct "scenes" or sonic environments.
These techniques challenge traditional notions of vocal beauty and virtuosity, instead emphasizing the expressive potential of the voice as an instrument.
Stripsody is published by Universal Edition (UE 13771). Because it is still under copyright, free PDFs of the clean, published edition are rarely legally available. However, many universities and libraries provide access to scanned copies through academic databases (JSTOR, WorldCat). When searching for the PDF, look for institutional access or, alternately, high-resolution previews that allow you to study the graphic notation.