How does Plains Indian singing differ from singing traditions of the Northwest Coast?

Singing traditions in the Plains and the Northwest Coast differ significantly in vocal quality, melodic structure, and performance style:

• Vocal Quality: Plains singers are characterized by a tense, nasal vocal quality. In contrast, Northwest Coast singers prefer a moderately relaxed and open vocal style that emphasizes the lower range.12
• Melodic Contour: Plains music features a cascading melodic contour that begins high and descends by steps to the lowest pitch. Northwest Coast melodies typically feature stepwise motion and undulate with a descending inflection, often incorporating half-step intervals.12
• Rhythmic Complexity: While both regions utilize complex rhythms, Northwest Coast music is noted for frequent changes of meter and intentional tempo displacements between the singers and the drum. Plains music, particularly in powwow songs, also features rhythmic complexity through slight differences between the singers' tempo and the drumbeat.21
• Performance: Plains singers perform in unblended unison, whereas Northwest Coast singers perform in moderately blended unison, with some traditional part-singing.12