Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Will Wagers <hyle AT gte.net>]

Dear Vincent,

Vincent DeCaen writes:

>in other words, the phonological reality behind the accents also
>accounts for the musical reality **for free**. apparently the *same*
>principles operating in these downdrafts. neato. ;-)
>
>btw, the downdraft looks something like this:
>
>       /\
>         \/\
>            \/\
>               \/\
>                  \

I've heard this referred to many times regarding Hebrew and "primitive"
laments, but it wasn't called "downdraft". I am sorry I can't remember the
musical term. It was supposedly a sort of wail in song in the style of grief-
stricken mourners, beginning high, slowly coming down until the cantor is
out of breath. And, its use was not restricted to tonal languages, Or, so I
seem to recall.


Will Wagers     hyle AT gte.net    "Reality is the best metaphor."