List, George (1963)
LIST, George. “The Boundaries of Speech and Song.” Ethnomusicology 7/1 (1963): 1-17.
A preliminary attempt to categorize the variety of human vocal sounds along a continuum from speech-to-song, using melodic features as the sole criterion. Outlines one possible method for classifying a great range of vocal behaviors from many cultures. Points out the question of stable versus unstable pitch distinctions, though doesn’t address it. Alludes to other methods of classification, for example by reference to the function of the activity rather than its melodic features. Also notes the difficulty of his method for classifying forms found in tonal language families. Neglects rhythmic features entirely, though more recent research indicates that these may be of primary importance in human mental categorization of vocal phenomena.
