Swiss traditional music has much in common with the styles and forms of the neighbouring countries. In Switzerland, however, there is a meeting of German, French, Italian and Romanish styles and formats.
Schwiizer Örgeli
Music is encouraged in Swiss schools and social activities and in addition to learning to read, young Swiss children also learn to read music. The country has an abundance of good music schools, colleges and universities where all forms of music are taught.
Throughout Switzerland there are brass bands, traditional country music groups, yodel choirs and many village and town choirs focussing on classical, folk, jazz and pop styles.
Here are some examples of various music genres from around Switzerland.
Swiss Yodel
Traditional Swiss yodel songs generally have a strict verse / chorus / verse structure. The verse is sung straight usually in unison and the choruses a done with yodel harmonies.
Here is an example from a yodel group in Entlebuch near Lucerne. The theme focuses on a newborn child and asks the question of where we come from and where we go to. In the country areas there is a long tradition of planting a tree for a newborn child and this can be seen in the acapella song "Läbesziit" ("Lifetime").
Yodel songs are not always serious and can be associated with fun and parties. Here is a rendition of "Vo Luzern gäga Weggis zue" ("From Lucerne to Weggis"). This song describes a journey with the ship from Lucerne to Weggis and then walking up to the peak of Mount Rigi. And naturally, when you get to the top of Rigi, you deserve a glass or two of red wine.....
This song in it's various formats often serves as a traditional drinking song.
Alphorns
The resonant tones and the sound carrying capacity of the alphorn make it the ideal instrument for the rugged alpine landscapes. Its origins reach way back to instruments made from cow horns as a means of communication between shepherds, to call cattle and also as communication across valleys. At some point during the 1500s, alphorns made from wood emerged.
During the 1800s when the beautiful alpine landscapes were more widely recognized and popularized leading to the alphorn becoming a national symbol of Switzerland.
Today the alphorn is widely heard in Switzerland with many melodies from all language areas. The alphorn is even heard as part of jazz band formations and also appears in classical concerts.
And today
In addition to music in the Swiss languages many musicians are writing and performing songs in English.
Here is an example from Lea & Rich, with their own song in folk style "One Little Bird", which deals with the brevity of life and how nature goes continually on it's own way.