Cathy Berberian Stripsody Score.pdf Jun 2026

Unlike traditional classical music, which relies on a strict 12-tone scale, time signatures, and standard Italian dynamics, Stripsody is composed entirely of onomatopoeias—words that phonetically imitate, resemble, or suggest the sounds they describe.

If you open a standard , you will not find any five-line staves, clefs, quarter notes, or key signatures. Instead, the score relies entirely on graphic notation, beautifully illustrated by the Italian artist Roberto Zamarin. The score operates on a unique grid system:

: The score features three horizontal lines representing Low , Medium , and High vocal registers. The position of a word or drawing relative to these lines tells the performer which pitch to use.

The ticking of a clock ("tick-tock"), the ringing of a telephone, or the starting of an engine. Cathy Berberian Stripsody Score.pdf

, which replaces traditional musical notation with comic strip-inspired illustrations and onomatopoeia. 1. Compositional Concept

The performer does not “sing” words in the usual sense, but instead acts out sounds like “BOOM,” “ZAP,” “GLUP,” “CRACK,” “MIAOW,” “TICK-TOCK,” “S-S-S-WOOSH,” and even “ZZZ” (snoring). These sounds are culled from the visual vocabulary of American comics (e.g., Superman , Little Nemo , Krazy Kat ) and everyday life.

Lines enclosed by bars are intended to be performed as "scenes" or vignettes, while the rest are treated as basic onomatopoeic material. Specific Symbols: Unlike traditional classical music, which relies on a

Stripsody remains a staple in the repertoire of modern contemporary vocalists. It proved that the human voice could function entirely as an instrument of sound effects, free from the constraints of traditional melody and harmony. Furthermore, it bridged the gap between "highbrow" classical avant-garde circles and "lowbrow" mass-market comic culture, making it a vital piece of 20th-century art history.

While many performers seek a online for study, it is important to note that Stripsody is copyrighted material.

This visual approach forces the performer to become an interpreter of art, decoding the visual humor and energy into sonic reality. The score operates on a unique grid system:

Using the throat, mouth, and teeth to imitate inanimate objects, such as a dripping faucet, a ticking clock, or a gunshot. 4. The Narrative Structure

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Detail the exact used in the piece (e.g., buccal-lingual percussions).

Pitch is entirely relative. The performer judges how high or low to go based on where the text or drawing sits in relation to these lines. Comic Book Text