What is the music of your world like?

All yinrih languages rely very heavily on subtle changes in pitch and volume to indicate meaning. As such, words cannot be put to a melody as it would make the lyrics unintelligible. Nevertheless, there is a form of “singing”–really melodic howling–which alternates between a spoken chorus to convey meaning interspersed with tuneful howls to evoke emotion. This is the principle form of Claravian sacred music. Indeed, the Commonthroat word for liturgy literally means an act of howling.

While words cannot be put to a melody, a melody can be shaped to form words. Once can play or howl the tone and volume contours of syllables to suggest words, much like many languages can be whistled.

The musical instrument pictured above is a string instrument that is strapped to the back and plucked with the tail while the musician is moving.

Other instruments include a theremin-like contrivance that uses all four paws, as well as various keyboards and touch-actuated electronic instruments.

So how about you?