Daily Archives: January 6, 2015

ALEXANDER GLENFIELD : Overtone Singing: The Music of Sound


Overtone Singing: The Music of Sound





Sunday, July 27, 2014







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Sunday, April 6, 2014

Sounding Flows the Feelings?












But above words it takes you.



Deep thoughts, dumbly.

To enter into the indescribable way,

Hear the mind’s mental chatter

Not as meaningful words,

But as beautiful music.

Stare with the ear and

To hear the always music everywhere,

And in all sound,

External and internal.

The brain says “yes”;

The heart says “maybe”;

The time of your life

Needs a winding.

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Saturday, October 26, 2013



Take notice of the silence in the sound

The sound of sound is in the music there

Be still the mind where judgments are abound

The ear is known to sense the world profound

To subdivide the ugly from the fair

Take notice of the silence in the sound

This is a place with music all around

The bliss of wind in trees without a care

Be still the mind where judgments are abound

Undo the violence seeing will surround

Unlike the eye, the ear can never stare

Take notice of the silence in the sound

Do know that we are partials of the ground

Divine that births the world through silent prayer

Be still the mind where judgments are abound

These musical intentions will astound

To find the subtle masterpiece is rare

Take notice of the silence in the sound

Be still the mind where judgments are abound


She took her place among the line of dolls

Beset with fear her skin turned sickly pale

And all who saw her turned before the fall

Unto the sounding of the bugle’s wail

Beset with fear her skin turned sickly pale

Her shapeless legs held firm around the wind

Unto the sounding of the bugle’s wail

A trail of dirty tears down to her chin

Her shapeless legs held firm around the wind

That sweetness of her face a dying dream

A trail of dirty tears down to her chin

The dolls beside her hacked a golden scream

That sweetness of her face a dying dream

The sky around them shuddered with the thought

The dolls beside her hacked a golden scream

The One they called to save them then, was not

The sky around them shuddered with the thought

For hope was always drifting in the air

The One they called to save them then, was not

Their universe ached on without a care

For hope was always drifting in the air

They fell as one, went lifeless to the ground

Their universe ached on without a care

To the silent, sliver moon’s impassive frown

For the evil of the man that sent her home

And for all who saw her, turned before the fall

For the man who wanted her to him alone

She took her place among the line of dolls

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Sunday, November 25, 2012


























Dissolve the self, bestow the self, and listen.

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Saturday, February 11, 2012


















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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Singing Undertones, Subharmonics, and Subtones






Overtones and Undertones


Is there an undertone series?


Theoretical Undertone Series to the Fifth Partial








There you haven’t it: the mystery remains.

How to Sing Subtones





Three Common Mistakes 


Still Mystery


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Monday, August 16, 2010

What is Overtone Singing?

Dear Constant Reader:



Overtone Singing with a tampura






Congratulations on taking the first step out of audial oblivion.

Harmonic Series to the 16th Partial



















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About Me





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Ethereal template. Te



Piero Cosi, Graziano Tisato
Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione – Sezione di Fonetica e Dialettologia
(ex Istituto di Fonetica e Dialettologia) – Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
e-mail: cosi@csrf.pd.cnr.it tisato@tin.it
www: http://nts.csrf.pd.cnr.it/Ifd
I really like to remember that Franco was the first person I met when I approached the “Centro di Studio per le Ricerche di Fonetica” and I still have a greatly pleasant and happy sensation of that our first warm and unexpectedly informal talk. It is quite obvious and it seems rhetorical to say that I will never forget a man like Franco, but it is true, and that is, a part from his quite relevant scientific work, mostly for his great heart and sincere friendship.
For “special people” scientific interests sometimes co-occur with personal “hobbies”. I remember Franco talking to me about the “magic atmosphere” raised by the voice of Demetrio Stratos, David Hykes or Tuvan Khomei1 singers and I still have clear in my mind Franco’s attitude towards these “strange harmonic sounds”. It was more than a hobby but it was also more than a scientific interest. I have to admit that Franco inspired my “almost hidden”, a part from few very close “desperate” family members, training in Overtone Singing2. This overview about this wonderful musical art, without the aim to be a complete scientific work, would like to be a small descriptive contribute to honor and remember Franco’s wonderful friendship.
“Khomei” or “Throat-Singing” is the name used in Tuva and Mongolia to describe a large family of singing styles and techniques, in which a single vocalist simultaneously produces two (or more) distinct tones. The lower one is the usual fundamental tone of the voice and sounds as a sustained drone or a Scottish bagpipe sound. The second corresponds to one of the harmonic partials and is like a resonating whistle in a high, or very high, register. For convenience we will call it “diphonic” sound and “diphonia” this kind of phenomenon.
Throat-Singing has almost entirely been an unknown form of art until rumours about Tuva and the peculiar Tuvan musical culture spread in the West, especially in North
1 We transcribe in the simplest way the Tuvan term, for the lack of agreement between the different authors: Khomei, Khöömii, Ho-Mi, Hö-Mi, Chöömej, Chöömij, Xöömij.
2 This is the term used in the musical contest to indicate the diphonic vocal techniques.
America, thanks to Richard Feynman [1]3, a distinguished American physicist, who was an ardent devotee of Tuvan matters.
This singing tradition is mostly practiced in the Central Asia regions including Bashkortostan or Bashkiria (near Ural mountains), Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Altai and Tuva (two autonomous republics of the Russian Federation), Khakassia and Mongolia (Fig. 1), but we can find examples worldwide: in South Africa between Xosa women [3], in the Tibetan Buddhist chants and in Rajastan.
The Tuvan people developed numerous different styles. The most important are: Kargyraa (chant with very low fundamentals), Khomei (it is the name generally used to indicate the Throat-Singing and also a particular type of singing), Borbangnadyr (similar to Kargyraa, with higher fundamentals), Ezengileer (recognizable by the quick rhythmical shifts between the diphonic harmonics), Sygyt (like a whistle, with a weak fundamental) [4]. According to Tuvan tradition, all things have a soul or are inhabited by spiritual entities. The legends narrate that Tuvan learnt to sing Khomei to establish a contact and assimilate their power trough the imitation of natural sounds. Tuvan people believe in fact that the sound is the way preferred by the spirits of nature to reveal themselves and to communicate with the other living beings.
Figure 1. Diffusion of the Throat-Singing in Central Asia regions.
In Mongolia most Throat-Singing styles take the name from the part of the body where they suppose to feel the vibratory resonance: Xamryn Xöömi (nasal Xöömi), Bagalzuuryn Xöömi (throat Xöömi), Tseedznii Xöömi (chest Xöömi), Kevliin Xöömi (ventral Xöömi, see Fig. 13), Xarkiraa Xöömi (similar to the Tuvan Kargyraa), Isgerex (rarely used style: it sounds like a flute). It happens that the singers itself confuse the different styles [5]. Some very famous Mongol artists (Sundui and Ganbold, for example) use a deep vibrato, which is not traditional, may be to imitate the Western singers (Fig. 13).
The Khakash people practice three types of Throat-Singing (Kargirar, Kuveder or Kilenge and Sigirtip), equivalent to the Tuvan styles Kargyraa, Ezengileer and Sygyt. We
3 Today, partly because of Feynman’s influence, there exists a society called “Friends of Tuva” in California, which circulates news about Tuva in the West [2].
find again the same styles in the peoples of the Altai Mountains with the names of Karkira, Kiomioi and Sibiski. The Bashkiria musical tradition uses the Throat-Singing (called Uzlau, similar to the Tuvan Ezengileer) to accompany the epic chants. In Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Karakalpakstan we find forms of oral poetry with diphonic harmonics [6].
The Tibetan Gyuto monks have also a tradition of diphonic chant, related to the religious believes of the vibratory reality of the universe. They chant in a very low register in a way that resembles (see later the difference) the Tuvan Kargyraa method. The aim of this tradition is mystical and consists in isolating the 5th or the 10th harmonic partial of the vocal sound. They produce in this way the intervals of 3rd or 5th (in relation to the fundamental) that have a symbolic relation with the fire and water elements (Fig. 14) [4].
Figure 2. Spectral section of a vocal (up) and a diphonic vocal (down).
What is so wonderful in Throat-Singing? It is the appearance of one of the harmonic partials that discloses the secret musical nature of each sound. When in Throat-Singing the voice splits in two different sounds, we experience the unusual sensation of a pure, discarnate, sine wave emerging from the sound. It is the same astonishment we feel when we see a rainbow, emerging from the white light, or a laser beam for the first time.
The natural sounds have a complex structure of harmonic or inharmonic sinusoidal partials, called “overtones” (Fig. 2). These overtones are not heard as distinct sounds, but their relative intensity defines our perception of all the parameters of sound (intensity, pitch, timbre, duration). The pitch corresponds to the common frequency distance between
the partials and the timbre takes into account all the partials as a whole. The temporal evolution of these components is what makes the sound of each voice or instrument unique and identifiable.
In the harmonic sounds, as the voice, the components are at the same frequency distance: their frequency is a multiple of the fundamental tone (Fig. 2). If the fundamental frequency is 100 Hz, the 2nd harmonic frequency is 200 Hz; the 3rd harmonic frequency is 300 Hz, and so on. The harmonic partials of a sound form a natural musical scale of unequal temperament, as whose in use during the Renaissance [7]. If we only take into consideration the harmonics that are easy to produce (and to perceive also), i.e. from the 5th to the 13th, and if we assume for convenience a C3 131 Hz as starting pitch, we can get the following musical notes:
Harm. N. Freq. (Hz) Note Interval with C3
5 655 E5 3rd
6 786 G5 5th
7 917 A+ 6th +
8 1048 C6 Octave
9 1179 D6 2nd
10 1310 E6 3rd
11 1441 F6+ 4th +
12 1572 G6 5th
13 1703 A6- 6th-
The series of 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th harmonic and the series from 6th to 10th are two possible pentatonic scales to play. Note that the frequency differences between these scales and the tempered scale are on the order of 1/8th of a tone (about 1.5%).
The Throat-Singing allows extracting the notes of a natural melody from the body of the sound itself.
The spectral envelope of the overtones is essential for the language comprehension. The glottal sound is filtered by the action of the vocal tract articulation, shaping the partials in the voice with some characteristic zones of resonance (called formants), where the components are intensified, and zones of anti-resonance, where the partials are attenuated (Fig. 2-3). So, the overtones allow us to tell apart the different vocal sounds. For example the sounds /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, etc. uttered or sung at the same pitch, nevertheless sound different to our ears for the different energy distribution of the formants (Fig. 2).
The auditory mechanisms “fuse” the partials in one single “image”, which we identify as voice, musical instrument, noise, etc. [8]. In the same way, the processing of visual data tends to group different dots into simple shapes (circle, triangle, square, etc.). The creation of auditory images is functional to single out and to give a meaning to the sonic sources around us.
The hearing mechanisms organize the stream of perceptive data belonging to different components of different sounds, according to psychoacoustics and Gestalt principles. The “grouping by harmonicity”, for example, allows the fusion in the same sound of the frequency partials, which are multiples of a common fundamental. The “common fate” principle tells that we integrate the components of a complex sound, which show the same amplitude and frequency behaviour (i.e. similar modulation and microvariation, similar attack and decay, similar vibrato, etc.) [8]. If one of these partials reveals a particular evolution (i.e. it is mistuned or has not the same frequency and amplitude modulation, etc.),
it will be heard as a separate sound. So the Throat-Singing is a marvelous example to understand the illusory nature of perception and the musical structure of the sound.
Figure 3. Resonance envelope for an uniform vocal tract (left). A constriction on the pharynx moves the formants so that the intensity of partials in the 2500-3500 Hz region increases (right).
In the Throat-Singing the singer learn to articulate the vocal tract so that one of the formants (usually the first or the second) coincide with the desired harmonic, giving it a considerable amplitude increase (even more than 30 dB, see in Fig. 2 the 10th harmonic) and making it perceptible. Unlike the normal speech, the diphonic harmonic can exceed a lot the lower partials intensity (Fig. 2). Soprano singers use similar skill to control the position of the 1st formant, tuning it to the fundamental with the proper articulation (i.e. proper opening of the mouth), when they want to sing a high note [9].
There are many different methods to produce the diphonic sound [5-6], but we can summarize them in two possible categories, called “single cavity method” or “two cavities method”, that are characterized by the use or not of the tongue, according to the proposal of Tran Quang Hai [4].
In this method, the tongue doesn’t move and remains flat or slightly curved without touching the palate. In this case the vocal tract is like a continuous tube (Fig. 3). The selection of the diphonic harmonic is obtained by the appropriate opening of the mouth and the lips. The result is that the formants frequency raises if the vocal tract lengthens (for example with a /i/) and that the formants frequency lowers, if it extends (for example with a /u/). With this technique the 1st formant movement allows the selection of the partials. As we can see in Fig. 4, we cannot go beyond 1200 Hz. The diphonic harmonic is generally feeble, masked by the fundamental and the lower partials, so the singers nasalize the sound to reduce their intensity [10-11].
Figure 4. Opening the mouth controls the 1st formant position. The movement of the tongue affects the 2nd formant and allows the harmonic selection in a large frequency range.
In this method, the tongue is raised so to divide the vocal tract in two main resonators, each one tuned on a particular resonance. By an appropriate control, we can obtain to tune two separate harmonics, and thereby to make perceptible, not one but two (or more) pitches at the same time (Fig. 9-12).
There are three possible variants of this technique:
The first corresponds to the Khomei style: to select the desired harmonic the tip of the tongue and the tongue body moves forward (higher pitch) and backward (lower pitch) along the palate.
The second is characteristic of the Sygyt style: the tip of the tongue remains fixed behind the upper teeth while the tongue body rises to select the harmonics.
In the third variant, the movement of the tongue root selects the diphonic harmonic. Shifting the base of the tongue near the posterior wall of the throat, we obtain the lower harmonics. On the contrary, moving the base of the tongue forward, we pull out the higher harmonics [6].
A different method has been proposed by Tran Quang Hai to produce very high diphonic harmonics (but not to control the selection of the desired component). It consists
to keep the tongue pressed by the molars, while singing the vowels /u/ and /i/, and maintaining a strong contraction of the muscles at the abdomen and the throat [4].
The advantage of the two cavities techniques is that we can use the 2nd formant to reinforce the harmonics that are in the zone of best audibility. In this case the diphonic harmonic reaches the 2600 Hz (Fig. 4). Furthermore the movement of the tongue affects the formants displacement in opposite directions. The separation of the 1st and the 2nd formant produces in between a strong anti-resonance (Fig. 2), which helps the perception of the diphonic harmonic.
In all these methods it is useful a slight discrete movement of the lips to adjust the formants position.
There are three main mechanisms required to reinforce the effect of segregation of the diphonic sound:
• The appropriate movement of the lips, tongue, jaw, soft palate, throat, to produce a fluctuation in the amplitude of the selected harmonic, so that it differentiates from the other partials that remain static. The auditory mechanisms are tuned to capture the more subtle changes in the stream of auditory information, useful to discriminate the different sounds [8].
• The nasalization of the sound. In this way we create an anti-resonance at low frequency (<400 Hz) that attenuates the lower partials responsible for the masking of the higher components [10-11]. The nasalization provokes also the attenuation of the third formant [12], which improves the perception of the diphonic harmonic (Fig. 2).
• The constriction of the pharynx region (false ventricular folds, arytenoids, root of the epiglottis), which increases the amplitude of the overtones in the 2000-4000 Hz region (Fig. 2). This is also what happens in the “singer’s formant”, the technique used by the singers to reinforce the partials in the zone of best audibility and to avoid the masking of the voice by the orchestra, generally very strong in the low frequency range [9]. For this reason the Throat-Singing technique requires a tuning extremely precise and selective, in order to avoid the amplification of a group of harmonic partials, as in the “singer’s formant”.
We disregard in this paper the polyphonic singing that could produces some diphonic effects: for example the phenomenon of the quintina in the Sardinia religious singing, where the coincidence of the harmonics of 4 real voices produces the perception of a 5th virtual voice (Fig. 5) [13].
There are in the literature many terms to indicate the presence of different perceptible sounds in a single voice: Khomei, Throat-Singing, Overtone Singing, Diphonic Singing, Biphonic Singing, Overtoning, Harmonic Singing, Formantic Singing, Chant, Harmonic Chant, Multiphonic Singing, bitonality, diplophonia, vocal fry, etc.
According to the pioneer work in the domain of the vocal sounds made by The Extended Vocal Techniques Ensemble (EVTE) of San Diego University and bearing in mind that there is little agreement regarding classifications [4], [14-15], the best distinctive criterion for the diphonia seems to be the characterization of the sound sources that produce the perception of the diphonic or multiphonic sound [16].
Following this principle, we can distinguish between Bitonality and Diphonia:
• Bitonality: In this case there are two distinct sound sources that produce two sounds. The pitches of the two sounds could be or not in harmonic relationship. This category includes: diplophonia, bitonality and vocal fry.
• Diphonia: The reinforcement of one (or more) harmonic partial(s) produces the splitting of the voice in two (or more) sounds. This category includes: Khomei, Throat-Singing, Overtone Singing, Diphonic Singing, Biphonic Singing, Overtoning, Harmonic Singing, Chant, Harmonic Chant.
Fig. 5 Sardinia religious folk singing. The pitches of the 4 voices of the choir are F1 88 Hz, C2 131 Hz, F2 176 Hz, A3# 230 Hz. The 8th harmonic of the F1, the 6th of the C2, the 4th of the F2 and the 3rd of the A# coincide at 700 Hz and produce the perception of a 5th voice.
Diplophonia: The vibration of the vocal folds is asymmetrical. It happens that after a normal oscillatory period, the vibration amplitude that follows is reduced. There is not the splitting of the voice in two sounds, but the pitch goes down one octave lower and the timbre assumes a typical roughness. For example, assuming as fundamental pitch a C3 130.8 Hz, the resulting pitch will be C2 65.4 Hz. If the amplitude reduction happens after two regular vibrations, the actual periodicity triplicates and then the pitch lowers one octave and a 5th. The diplophonic voice is a frequent pathology of the larynx (as in unilateral vocal cord paralysis), but can be also obtained willingly for artistic effects (Demetrio Stratos was an expert of this technique) [16-18].
Bitonality: The two sound sources are due to the vibration of two different parts of the glottis cleft. This technique requires a strong laryngeal tension [16-17]. In this case there is not necessarily a harmonic relationship between the fundamentals of the two sounds. In the Tuvan Kargyraa style, the second sound source is due to the vibration of the supraglottal structures (false folds, arytenoids, aryepiglottic folds that connects the arytenoids and the epiglottis, and the epiglottis root). In this case generally (but not always) there is a 2:1 frequency ratio between the supraglottal closure and vocal folds closure. As in the case of Diplophonia, the pitch goes down one octave lower (or more) [19-21].
Vocal fry: The second sound is due in this case to the periodic repetition of a glottal pulsation of different frequency [14]. It sounds like the opening of a creaky door (another common designation is “creaky voice”). The pulse rate of vocal fry can be controlled to produce a range from very slow single clicks to a stream of clicks so rapid to be perceived as a discrete pitch. Therefore vocal fry is a special case of bitonality: the perception of a second sound depends on a pulses train rate and not on the spectral composition of the single sound.
Diphonic and Biphonic refer to any singing that sounds like two (or more) simultaneous pitches, regardless of technique. Use of these terms is largely limited to academic sources. In the scientific literature the preferred term to indicated Throat-Singing is Diphonic Singing.
Multiphonic Singing indicates a complex cluster of non-harmonically related pitches that sounds like the vocal fry or the creaky voice [14]. The cluster may be produced expiring as normal, or also inhaling the airflow.
Throat Singing is any technique that includes the manipulation of the throat to produce a melody with the harmonics. Generally, this involves applying tension to the region surrounding the vocal cords and the manipulation of the various cavities of the throat, including the ventricular folds, the arytenoids, and the pharynx.
Chant generally refers to religious singing in different traditions (Gregorian, Buddhist, Hindu chant, etc.). As regards the diphonia, it is noteworthy to mention the low singing practiced by Tibetan Buddhist monks of the Gyuto sect. As explained before, they reinforce the 5th or the 10th harmonic partial of the vocal sound for mystical and symbolic purposes (Fig. 14). This kind of real diphonia must be distinguished from resonantial effects (enhancement of some uncontrolled overtones) that we can hear in Japanese Shomyo Chant [4] and also in Gregorian Chant.
Harmonic Singing is the term introduced by David Hykes to refer to any technique that reinforces a single harmonic or harmonic cluster. The sound may or may not split into two or more notes. It is used as a synonym of Overtone Singing, Overtoning, Harmonic Chant and also Throat-Singing.
Overtone Singing can be considered to be harmonic singing with an intentional emphasis on the harmonic melody of overtones. This is the name used by Western artists that utilizes vowels, mouth shaping, and upper-throat manipulations to produce melodies and textures. It is used as a synonym of Harmonic Singing, Overtoning, Harmonic Chant and also Throat-Singing.
Fig. 6 Tuvan Khomei Style. The fundamental is a weak F#3+ 189 Hz. The diphonic harmonics are the 6th (C#6+ 1134 HZ), 7th (E6 1323 Hz), 8th (F#6+ 1512 Hz), 9th (G#6+ 1701 Hz), 10th (A#6+ 1890 Hz) and 12th (C#7+ 2268 Hz).
Although there is no widespread agreement, Khomei comprises three major basic Throat-Singing methods called Khomei, Kargyraa, and Sygyt, two main sub methods called Borbangnadyr and Ezengileer and various other sub styles.
Khomei means “throat” or “pharynx” and it is not only the generic name given to all throat-singing styles for Central Asia, as underline above, but also a particular style of singing. Khomei is the easiest technique to learn and the most practiced in the West. It produces clear and mild harmonics with a fundamental usually within the medium range of the singer’s voice (Fig. 6). In Khomei style there are two (or more) notes clearly audible. Technically the stomach remains relaxed and there is a low-level tension on larynx and ventricular folds, whereas Sygyt style requires a very strong constraint of these organs (Fig. 7). The tongue remains seated flatly between the lower teeth as in the Single Cavity technique, or raises and moves as in the Two Cavities techniques. The selection of the desired harmonic comes mainly from a combination of different lips, tongue and throat movements.
Sygyt means “whistle” and actually sounds like a flute. This style is characterized by a strong, even piercing, harmonic and can be used to perform complex and very distinct melodies (Fig. 10). It has its roots in the Khomei method and has the same range for the fundamental. Sygyt is sung with a half-open mouth and the tip of tongue placed behind front teeth as if pronouncing the letter “L”. The tongue tip is kept in the described position, while the tongue body moves to select the harmonic. This is the same technique described above for the Khomei method. The difference is in the timbre quality of the sound lacking of energy in the low frequencies. To produce a crystal-clear, flute-like overtone,
characteristic of the Sygyt style, it is necessary to learn how to filter out the lower harmonic components, that usually mask the overtone sensation.
Figure 7. Position of the arytenoids in Khomei (left) and Sygyt style [21].
Crucial for achieving this goal is a considerable pressure from the belly/diaphragm, acting as a bellows to force the air through the throat. Significant tension is required in the throat as well, to bring the arytenoids near the root of the epiglottis (Fig. 7). In this way, we obtain the displacement of first 3 formants in the high frequency zone (Fig. 3). The result is that the fundamental and the lower harmonics are so attenuated to be little audible (Fig. 10).
It is possible to sing Sygyt either directly through the center of the mouth, or, tilting the tongue, to one side or the other. Many of the best Sygyt singers “sing to the side”: directing the sound along the hard surfaces of the teeth enhances the bright, focused quality of the sound.
Kargyraa style produces an extremely low sound that resembles the roaring of a lion, the howling of a wolf, and the croaking of a frog and all these mixed together (Fig. 9). Kargyraa means “hoarse voice”. As hawking and clearing the throat before speaking Kargyraa is nothing else than a deep and continuous hawking. This hawking must rise from the deepest part of the windpipe; consequently low tones will start resonating in the chest. Overtones are amplified by varying the shape of the mouth cavity and the position of the tongue. Kargyraa is closely linked to vowel sounds: the selection of diphonic harmonic corresponds to the articulation of a particular vowel (/u/, /o/, //, /a/, etc.), which the singer learnt to associate with the desired note.
This technique is a mixture of Diphonia and Bitonality (see 6.1): in fact the supraglottal structures start to vibrate with the vocal folds, but at a half rate. The arytenoids also can vibrate touching the root of the epiglottis, hiding the vocal folds and forming a second “glottic” source [21]. The perceived pitch will be one octave lower than normal (Fig. 9), but also one octave and a 5th lower [20]. In the case of Tran Quang Hai voice, the fibroendoscopy reveals the vibration and the strong constriction of the arytenoids that hide completely the vocal folds (Fig. 8).
We must distinguish this technique from the Tibetan Buddhist chant, which is produced with the vocal folds relaxed as possible, and without any supraglottal vibration. The Tibetan chant is more like the Tuvan Borbangnadyr style with low fundamentals.
Figure 8. Simulation of the Kargyraa style by Tran Quaang Hai: the arytenoids move against the root of the epiglottis and hide the vocal folds [21].
Borbangnadyr is not really a style, as are Khomei, Sygyt and Kargyraa, but rather a combination of effects applied to one of the other styles. The name comes from the Tuvan word for “rolling”, because this style features highly acrobatic trills and warbles, reminiscent of birds, babbling brooks, etc. While the name Borbangnadyr is currently most often used to describe a warbling applied to Sygyt, it is also applied to some lower-pitched singing styles, especially in older texts. The Borbangnadyr style with low fundamentals sounds like the Tibetan Buddhist chant.
Rather the pitch movement of the melody, Borbangnadyr generally focuses the attention on three different harmonics, the 8th, 9th, and 10th, which periodically take their turn in prominence (Fig. 11). In this style the singer easily can create a triphonia effect between the fundamental, a second sound corresponding to the 3rd harmonic at an interval of 5th, and the tremolo effect on the higher harmonics.
Ezengileer comes from a word meaning “stirrup” and features rhythmic harmonic oscillations intended to mimic the sound of metal stirrups, clinking to the beat of a galloping horse (Fig. 12). Ezengileer is a variant of Sygyt style and differs considerably from singer to singer, the common element being the “horse-rhythm” of the harmonics.
In the West the Overtone Singing technique has unexpectedly become very popular, starting into musical contests and turning very soon to mystical, spiritual and also therapeutic applications. The first to make use of a diphonic vocal technique in music was Karlheinz Stockhausen in Stimmung [22]. He was followed by numerous artists and amongst them: the EVTE (Extended Vocal Techniques Ensemble) group at the San Diego University in 1972, Laneri and his Prima Materia group in 1973, Tran Quang Hai in 1975, Demetrio Stratos in 1977 [17-18], Meredith Monk in 1980, David Hykes and his Harmonic Choir in 1983 [23], Joan La Barbara in 1985, Michael Vetter in 1985, Christian Bollmann in 1985, Noah Pikes in 1985, Michael Reimann in 1986, Tamia in 1987, Bodjo Pinek in 1987, Josephine Truman in 1987, Quatuor Nomad in 1989, Iegor Reznikoff in 1989, Valentin Clastrier in 1990, Rollin Rachele in 1990 [24], Thomas Clements in 1990, Sarah Hopkins in 1990, Les Voix Diphoniques in 1997.
Figure 9. Vasili Chazir sings “Artii-sayir” in the Kargyraa Tuvan style. The fundamental pitch is B1 61.2 Hz. The diphonic harmonics are the 6th (F#4- 367 HZ), 8th (B4 490 Hz), 9th (C#5 550 Hz), 10th (D#5- 612 Hz) and 12th (F#5- 734 Hz). The diphonic (but not perceptible) harmonics 12th-24th are in octave with the previous one. In the 2600-2700 Hz region, a steady formant amplifies the 43rd and 44th harmonics.
Figure 10. Tuvan Sygyt style. The fundamental is a weak E3+ 167 Hz. The melody uses the 8th (E6+ 1336 Hz), 9th (F#6+ 1503 Hz), 10th (G#6+ 1670 Hz) and 12th (B6+ 2004 Hz). There is a rhythmic shift between contiguous harmonics each 900 ms. In the 3000-3200 Hz zone, we can see a second resonance region.
Figure 11. Tuvan Borbangnadyr style. The fundamental is a weak F#2 92 Hz. We can see on the harmonics 7-11 the effect of a periodic formantic shift (6 Hz about).
Figure 12. Tuvan Ezengileer style. The fundamental is A#2 117 Hz.
The most famous proponent of this type of singing is David Hykes. Hykes experimented with numerous innovations including changing the fundamental (moveable drone) and keeping fixed the diphonic formant, introducing text, glissando effects, etc., in numerous works produced with the Harmonic Choir of New York (Fig. 15) [23].
In the recent past, some work has been done on the analysis of Khomei, and more has been done on Overtone Singing generally. The focus on this research has been on the effort to discover exactly how overtone melodies are produced. Hypotheses as to the mechanics of Overtone Singing range from ideas as to the necessary physical stance and posture used by the singer during a performance, to the actual physical formation of the mouth cavity in producing the overtones.
Aksenov was the first to explain the diphonia as the result of the filtering action of the vocal tract [25-27]. Some years later Smith et al. engaged in an acoustical analysis of the Tibetan Chant [28]. In 1971, Leipp published an interesting report on Khomei [29]. Tran Quang Hai carried out a deep research on all the diphonic techniques [4-5][30]. The mechanism of the diphonia was demonstrated in 1989 by two different methodologies. The first applied direct clinical-instrumental methods to study the vocal tract and vocal cords [31-32]. The optic stroboscope revealed the perfect regularity of the vocal folds vibration. The second method made use of a simple linear prediction model (LPC) to analyse and synthesize the diphonic sound [33-34]. The good quality of the resynthesis demonstrated that the diphonia is due exclusively to the spectral resonance envelope. The only difference between normal and diphonic sound consists in the unusual narrow bandwidth of the prominent formant.
Several researchers seem to agree that the production of the harmonics in Throat-Singing is essentially the same as the production of an ordinary vowel. Bloothooft reports an entire investigation of Overtone Singing, based on the similarity of this kind of phonation to the articulation of vowel [10].
Other authors, on the contrary, argue that the physical act of creating overtones may originate in vowel production, but the end product, the actual overtones themselves, are far from vowel-like [35]. They stated, in fact, that for both acoustic and perceptual reasons, the production of an overtone melody cannot be described as vowel production.
Acoustically, a vowel is distinctive because of its formant structure. In Overtone Singing, the diphonic formant is reduced to one or a few harmonics, often with surrounding harmonics attenuated as much as possible. Perceptually, Overtone Singing usually sounds nothing like an identifiable vowel. This is primarily because, a major part of the overtone-sung tone has switched from contributing to the timbre of the tone to provoking the sensation of melody and such a distorted “vowel” can convey little phonetic information.
All musical sounds contain overtones or tones that resonate in fixed relationships above a fundamental frequency. These overtones create tone color, and help us to differentiate the sounds of different music instruments or one voice and another.
Different cultures have unique manifestations of musical traditions, but, what it is quite interesting, is that some of them share at least one aspect in common: the production of overtones in their respective vocal music styles. Among these, each tradition has also its own meanings and resultants from Overtone Singing, but they are often related to a common sphere of spirituality. Overtones in Tibetan and Gregorian Chant, for example, are linked with spirituality, and even health and well being. Overtones in Tuvan Khomei have at least three different meanings: shamanistic, animistic, and aesthetic.
Figure 13. Mongolia: Ganbold sings a Kevliin Xöömi (ventral Xöömi, similar to Tuvan Sygyt.). The pitch is G3# 208 Hz. The diphonic harmonics are 6th (D#6 1248 Hz), 7th (F#6- 1456 Hz), 8th (G#6 1664 Hz), 9th (A#6+ 1872 Hz), 10th (C7- 2080 Hz), 12th (D#7 2496 Hz). There is a 6 Hz strong vibrato.
Figure 14. Tibetan Gyuto Chant in the Yang style. The pitch is a weak A1 56 Hz. In the beginning, the singer chant a vowel /o/ that reinforces the 5th partial (and the 10th). In the choir part, the articulation of the prayers produces a periodic emerging of all the scale of the harmonics up to the 30th. There is also a fixed resonance at 2200 Hz.
Figure 15. David Hykes and the Harmonic Choir. In this 100 s passage from “Hearing the Solar Winds” [23], the pitch moves slowly from A3, A#3, B3, C4, A3, to the final G3. The diphonic harmonics change in the range 6th-12th.
We would like to thank Sami Jansson [36] and Steve Sklar [15] for the useful information they made available to us via their respective web sites.
[1] Feynman (http://www.feynmanonline.com/), website.
[2] Friends of Tuva (http://www.fotuva.org/), website.
[3] Dargie D., “Some Recent Discoveries and Recordings in Xhosa Music”, 5th Symposium on Ethnomusicology, University of Cape Town, International Library of African Music (ed) , Grahamtown, 1985, pp. 29-35.
[4] Tran Quang Hai, Musique Touva, 2000, (http://www.baotram.ovh.org/tuva.html), website.
[5] Tran Quang Hai, Zemp H.,“Recherches expérimentales sur le Chant Diphonique”, Cahiers de Musiques Traditionnelles, Vol. 4, Genève, 1991, pp. 27-68.
[6] Levin Th., Edgerton M., The Throat Singers of Tuva, 1999,
(http://www.sciam.com/1999/0999issue/0999levin.html), website
[7] Walcott R., “The Chöömij of Mongolia – A spectral analysis of Overtone Singing”, Selected Reports in Ethnomusicology, UCLA, Los Angeles, 1974, 2 (1), pp. 55-59.
[8] Bregman A., Auditory scene analysis: the perceptual organization of sound, MIT Press, Cambridge, 1990.
[9] Sundberg J., The science of the singing voice, Northern Illinois University Press, De Kalb, Illinois, 1987.
[10] Bloothooft G., Bringmann E., van Capellen M., van Luipen J.B., Thomassen K.P., “Acoustic and Perception of Overtone Singing”. In Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, JASA Vol. 92, No. 4, Part 1, 1992, pp. 1827-1836.
[11] Stevens K., Acoustic Phonetics, MIT Press, Cambridge, 1998.
[12] Fant G., Acoustic theory of speech production, Mouton, The Hague, 1960.
[13] Lortat-Jacob B., “En accord. Polyphonies de Sardaigne: 4 voix qui n’en font qu’une”, Cahiers de Musiques Traditionnelles, Genève, 1993, Vol. 6, pp. 69-86.
[14] Kavasch D., “An introduction to extended vocal techniques”, Report of CME, Univ. of California, San Diego, Vol. 1, n. 2, 1980, pp. 1-20.
[15] Sklar S., Khöömei Overtone Singing, (http://www.atech.org/khoomei), website.
[16] Ferrero F., Ricci Maccarini A., Tisato G., “I suoni multifonici nella voce umana”, Prooceedings of XIX Convegno AIA, Napoli, 1991, pp. 415-422.
[17] Ferrero F., Croatto L., Accordi M., “Descrizione elettroacustica di alcuni tipi di vocalizzo di Demetrio Stratos”, Rivista Italiana di Acustica, Vol. IV, n. 3, 1980, pp. 229-258.
[18] Stratos D., Cantare la voce, Cramps Records CRSCD 119, 1978.
[19] Dmitriev L., Chernov B., Maslow V., “Functioning of the voice mechanism in double voice Touvinian singing”, Folia Phoniatrica, Vol. 35, 1983, pp. 193-197.
[20] Fuks L., Hammarberg B., Sundberg J., “A self-sustained vocal-ventricular phonation mode: acoustical, aerodynamic and glottographic evidences”, KTH TMH-QPSR, n.3, Stockholm, 1998, pp. 49-59.
[21] Tisato G., Ricci Maccarini A., Tran Quang Hai, “Caratteristiche fisiologiche e acustiche del Canto Difonico”, Proceedings of II Convegno Internazionale di Foniatria, Ravenna, 2001, (to be printed).
[22] Stockhausen K., Stimmung, Hyperion A66115, 1968.
[23] Hykes D., David Hykes and the Harmonic Choir, (http://harmonicworld.com), website.
[24] Rachele R., “Overtone Singing Study Guide”, Cryptic Voices Productions (ed), Amsterdam, 1996, pp. 1-127.
[25] Aksenov A.N., Tuvinskaja narodnaja muzyka, Mosca, 1964.
[26] Aksenov A.N., “Die stile der Tuvinischen zweistimmigen sologesanges”, Sowjetische Volkslied und Volksmusikforschung, Berlin, 1967, pp. 293-308.
[27] Aksenov A.N., “Tuvin folk music”, Journal of the Society for Asian Music, Vol. 4, n. 2, New York, 1973, pp. 7-18.
[28] Smith H., Stevens K.N., Tomlinson R.S., “On an unusual mode of singing of certain Tibetan Lamas”, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, JASA. 41 (5) , USA, 1967, pp. 1262-4.
[29] Leipp M., “Le problème acoustique du Chant Diphonique”, Bulletin Groupe d’Acoustique Musicale, Univ. de Paris VI, n. 58, 1971, pp. 1-10.
[30] Tran Quang Hai, “Réalisation du chant diphonique”, Le Chant diphonique, Institut de la Voix, Limoges, dossier n° 1, 1989, pp. 15-16.
[31] Pailler J.P., “Examen video du larynx et de la cavité buccale de Monsieur Trân Quang Hai”, Le Chant Diphonique, Institut de la Voix, Limoges, dossier n° 1, 1989, pp. 11-13.
[32] Sauvage J.P., “Observation clinique de Monsieur Trân Quang Hai”, Le Chant Diphonique, Institut de la Voix, Limoges, dossier n° 1, 1989, pp. 3-10.
[33] Tisato G., “Analisi e sintesi del Canto Difonico”, Proceedings VII Colloquio di Informatica Musicale (CIM), Cagliari, 1989, pp. 33-51.
[34] Tisato G., Ricci Maccarini A., “Analysis and synthesis of Diphonic Singing”, Bulletin d’Audiophonologie, Vol. 7, n. 5-6, Besançon, 1991, pp. 619-648.
[35] Finchum H., Tuvan Overtone Singing: Harmonics Out of Place,
(http://www.indiana.edu/~folklore/savail/tuva.html), website.
[36] Jansson S., Khöömei Page (http://www.cc.jyu.fi/~sjansson/khoomei.htm), website.
[37] Leothaud G., “Considérations acoustiques et musicales sur le Chant Diphonique”, Le Chant Diphonique, Institut de la Voix, Limoges, dossier n° 1, 1989, pp. 17-43.
[38] Zarlino G., Istitutioni Harmoniche, Venice, 1558.


STEVE SKLAR : Types of Throat-Singing with Tips Under Construction


Types of Throat-Singing

with Tips

Under Construction

Tuvan Throat-Singing

Tuvan throat-singing, or Khoomei, is the area with which I have the most extensive experience. While I am familiar with other types of harmonic singing and chant, the main focus of this page will be Tuvan. You can find some information/links about other regions below.

All styles of Tuvan Khoomei involve controlled tension in and manipulation of the diaphragm, throat, and mouth. However, there are great differences between the different types of throat-singing; for example, some styles are multiphonic whereas other styles are not. Even this description must take into consideration the hearing, or conditioned hearing of the listener as much as the intention and execution of the singer.

There is no real consensus on Khoomei categories; this is a complicated issue due to a number of confusing factors. For one thing, affecting western scholars, there have to date been very few texts about Khoomei in Western European languages. The most commonly cited source when I began my research in the early 1990s was translated from Tuvan Folk Music, a book published in 1964 by A. N. Aksenov, a Russian composer who surveyed Tuvan Khoomei styles in the 1940-50s. More recently, there have been such resources such as Mark van Tongeren’s quite interesting Overtone Singing, various CD liners of varying quality and accuracies, and WWW sites such as my own Khoomei.com, which also vary greatly in worth.

There are major discrepancies between Aksenov’s descriptions and other older sources, and those of other more contemporary observers, and several plausible explanations. One is that Aksenov’s survey of Tuvan styles was limited in scope, though he was a highly educated and skilled composer and musician, who seemed to take his research most seriously. Although a definite factor, it is also apparent that there has been an appreciable development and metamorphosis of common Khoomei styles since Aksenov’s time. Also, many performances now include mixtures of styles much more extensively than in the past. Whereas many singers in the old days tended to sing mostly in one or two styles, and there was greater regional differentiation, many modern singers perform in numerous styles, hybrids, and develop their own takes on “the classics.”

So, although there is no widespread agreement, many contemporary Khoomei cognoscenti designate three or five major styles:

1. Khoomei

2. Kargyraa

3. Sygyt

4. Borbangnadyr

5. Ezengileer

As noted below, #4 and 5, Borbangnadyr and Ezengileer are sometimes considered to be proper styles, and sometimes to be ornamentations added to Khoomei, Kargyraa, or Sygyt. I would add to the top of the list Xorekteer, as it underlies most of the various styles.

All video examples are QuickTime movies. Click here to get QuickTime (available for Mac and PC).

All movies are © Steve Sklar/Skysong Productions, Inc. and may NOT be copied or distributed without consent. All Rights Reserved.

Please Note: If you don’t have QT Pro and want to save the videos, then either R click (PCs) or Option Click (Mac) and do a Save to Disk, then view the .mov file from your hard drive. If you have QT Pro, then you can view the videos from within your browser, and save them from there. If you view them from within your web browser, I recommend configuring the browser to view them using the QT plugin, as this lets you begin viewing as the files download.

Coming soon: MP3 examples…

Xorekteer means singing with the chest voice… Now, this can be confusing to beginners: What does “chest voice” mean? And why isn’t it the “throat voice?” This term can carry several meanings. It can be used, like khoomei, to mean ALL THROAT-SINGING, in any style. It can also be used as a metaphor for “with feeling,” as in “more heart.” Plus, it can refer both to the feeling of pressure one feels when throat-singing, and also to chest resonance, which is obvious in person but not on recordings.

In its common sonic sense, “Chest voice” has a totally different meaning than the western vocal context, and the two should not be confused. Those familiar with Tuvan music have noticed that often entire songs are sung with this voice. It usually serves as the springboard to launch into khoomei style and sygyt. Here is an excellent example in MP3 format, the song, Kombu* This solo by Kaigal-ool of Huun-Huur-Tu (accompanying himself on doshpuluur) demonstrates perfectly the characteristic sound of the Xorekteer voice, with its hard, bright tone, and he uses it as a launching pad to sing khoomei, sygyt, and kargyraa.

Khoomei is not only the generic name given to all throat-singing styles, but also to a particular style of singing. Khoomei is a soft-sounding style, with clear but diffused-sounding harmonics above a fundamental usually within the low-mid to midrange of the singer’s voice. In Khoomei style, there are 2 or more notes clearly audible.

Compared to Xovu Kargyraa or sygyt (see below), the stomach remains fairly relaxed, and there is less laryngeal tension than harder-sounding Sygyt. The tongue remains seated quietly between the lower teeth. The pitch of the melodic harmonic is selected by moving the root of the tongue and the attached epiglottis as in my “Yuh!” technique (see Lesson 1). On the upper illustration below, the epiglottis is seen as the light-colored projection rising from the root of the tongue. It is to the right of the hypopharynx, also referred to as the laryngopharynx.

Phrasing and ornamentation come from a combination of throat movements and lip movements. Lips generally form a small “O.” The combination of lip, mouth and throat manipulations make a wide spectrum of tones and effects possible. Video Demonstration: Kaigal-ool Khovalyg

Kargyraa is usually performed low in the singer’s range. There are two major styles of Kargyraa, Mountain (dag) and Steppe (xovu). Both feature an intense croaking tone, very rich in harmonics. This technique is related technically to Tibetan harmonic chanting.

NOTHING feels like Kargyraa; you really feel a “mouthful of sound.” The term refers to all styles of singing which simultaneously use both the vocal and ventricular folds inside the larynx, as dual sound-sources. See the lower illustration below, The Larynx. When the larynx is constricted slightly just above the level of the vocal folds while the vocal folds are engaged, the ventricular folds will usually resonate, producing the second sound source. The ventricular folds’ fundamental vibrates at half the speed of the vocal folds, producing the extra sound one octave lower than the usual voice. The ventricular folds also produce many midrange and upper harmonics. While not yet proved, I suspect that each set of folds produces its own harmonic series, which intereact and are affected by the formants of the vocal system. Careful listeners will note the “constant” sound produced by the vocal folds, and a periodical, pulsating complex of sounds created by the ventricular folds. Kargyraa often sounds more traditional, or authentic, when the vocal folds are in Xorekteer mode, as above, and when the sound is somewhat restrained, rather than freely exiting the mouth.

Kargyraa is the one Tuvan style that I know of that is closely linked to vowel sounds; in addition to various throat manipulations, the mouth varies from a nearly closed “O” shape to nearly wide open. Except for the throat technique, this style is vaguely related to western overtone singing styles that use vowels and mouth shapes to affect the harmonic content. However, unlike most western styles, there is no dependable correlation between the vowel and the pitch. Generally, western overtone singers link pitch to the vowel, so that “ooo” gives the lowest harmonic, and rise in pitch from “ooo” to “o” to “ah” to “a” to “ee,” and so on. In Kargyraa, an “ah” can be higher than “a”, etc.

Dag (Mountain) Kargyraa is usually the lower of the styles in pitch, and often includes nasal effects; this sometimes sounds like oinking! It should feature strong low-chest resonance, and not too much throat tension. Video Demonstration: Alden-ool Sevek

Xovu (Steppe) Kargyraa is usually sung at a higher pitch, with more throat tension and less chest resonance. It also has a generally raspier sound. Video Demonstration (with other styles, see at about :53) Kaigal-ool Khovalyg

Sygyt is usually based on a mid-range fundamental. It is characterized by a strong, even piercing, harmonic or complex of harmonics above the “fundamental,” and can be used to perform complex and very distinct melodies, with a tone similar to a flute. The ideal sound is called “Chistii Zvuk,” Russian for clear sound. Part of achieving this ideal is learning to filter out unwanted harmonic components. Video Demonstration (also with Xorekteer and Borbangnadyr): Gennadi Tumat

For sygyt, you must increase the tension a bit at the same place as in khoomei. The tongue rises and seals tightly all around the gums, just behind the teeth. A small hole is left on one side or the other, back behind the molars, then you direct the sound between the teeth (which produces sharpening effect) and the cheek towards the front of the mouth. With your lips, form a “bell” as in a clarinet or oboe, but not centered; rather off just a bit to the side of your mouth where you direct the sound from that hole in the back. You change pitch with the same technique as khoomei, as in my ‘Yuh!” technique (see Lesson 1), and the rest of the tongue moves slightly to accommodate this action. The raised tongue serves as a filter to remove more of the lower harmonics, and in sygyt, it is possible to nearly remove the fundamental.

Borbangnadyr is not really a style in quite the same sense as sygyt, kargyraa, or khoomei, but rather a combination of effects applied to one of the other styles. The name comes from the Tuvan word for rolling, and this style features highly acrobatic trills and warbles, reminiscent of birds, babbling brooks, etc. While the name Borbangnadyr is currently most often used to describe a warbling applied to sygyt, Sygyttyng Borbangnadyr, it is also applied to some lower-pitched singing styles, especially in older texts. Video Demonstration: Oleg Kuular

Ezengileer comes from a word meaning “stirrup,” and features rhythmic harmonic oscillations intended to mimic the sound of metal stirrups clinking to the beat of a galloping horse. The most common element is the “horse-rhythm” of the harmonics, produced by a rhythmic opening-and-closing of the velum. The velum is the opening between the pharynx and the nasal sinuses. See the upper illustration, The Pharynx. The velum is not named, but is located just to the right of the soft palate, between the nasopharynx and oropharynx. Or, if you prefer, you will recognize it as the location of Postnasal Drip. Video Demonstration: German Kuular

Some other categories include:

Chilandyk is a mixture of Kargyraa and Sygyt. One usually begins with the Kargyraa voice, and then uses Sygyt technique to add a harmonic melody. If one can sing both Kargyraa and Sygyt then Chilandyk is not too difficult; what is challenging is maintaining the base pitch in tune while singing the Sygyt melody. Whew! Chilandyk is named for the Tuvan word meaning “cricket,” and there is a definite cricket-like quality when sung in a high Kargyraa voice.

Dumchuktaar means to sing through the nose (dumchuk). This may mean exclusively nasal with the mouth shut, or may just mean a voice exhibiting an obvious nasal sound. This is especially common in Ezengileer and some forms of dag (mountain) kargyraa, and some singers always sing this way, regardless of style. Video Demonstration (Dag Kargyraa): Gen-Dos

Nasal singing is common among western overtone singers. It is commonly believed that the directing sound through the nasal sinuses enhances the high harmonics. However, my observations indicate that the increased high harmonic components are not the major melodic frequencies in styles such as sygyt and khoomei, and also that open nasal passages provide a passage for some lower frequencies that might be better filtered out.

To control the amount of nasal sound in your voice you must gain control of the velum, as in ezengileer, above. You can feel the velum open when you sing and then close your mouth. The sound will then exit the nose, via the velum and sinuses. To feel the velum closing, sing a sustained note with your mouth closed. Try to stop the sound without moving your tongue (keep it down in the back of the mouth and don’t jam it back into the upper throat to stop the sound. And don’t pinch-off your nose! If you can stop the sound, you will have isolated the velum. When closing it while sounding, you may feel it push up by the airflow. Once you’ve isolated the velum, work on developing its use. Practice opening and closing it rhythmically, even practicing, say, triplets or dotted eighth notes. Also, experiment with opening it in degrees, not just opened-and-closed.

On the first illustration below, the velum, unmarked, is located between the nasopharynx and oropharynx, just to the right of the soft palate.

Tibetan Chant

The low multiphonic chordal of the Tibetan monk’s chanting style is related to kargyraa, with a low fundamental often in the 80 Hz range. The sound is produced by the combination of the vocal and ventricular folds. The larynx is typically held low in the throat, conducive to low tone due partially due to extendind the air column. The lips are extended and nearly closed, also lengthening the air column and serving as a filter to remove the upper overtones. Other fine details vary among individuals, as well as, to a degree, different monastic traditions. The monks most widely known for their multiphonic chanting, known by various names such as Yang, Dzho-Kay, and others, are the Gyume and Gyuto. I have heard others, too, such as the Drepung Loseling monks and others.

It can be difficult finding reliable information regarding more specific details about the monks’ chanting styles. In fact, in my experience, there is more disinformation regarding this cultural variety than any other. If you hear stories about developing this type of voice, and they sound bizarre, and some do, ignore them and don’t try them. Also, while there are often claims cited by outsiders regarding the need to attain certain high levels of spiritual attainment, the evidence in my experience casts doubts. Of course, I cannot deny the possibility that some such spritual development might lead someone to subsequntly aquire the voice. Tran Quang Hai has an interesting piece on Tibetan Chant. Video Demonstration: Myself, with Drepung-Loseling monks

Other Types of Throat-Singing and Overtone Singing

Throat singing is found in other parts of the world. Some are very similar to Tuvan styles, and others are not. Here are some of them:

Mongolia Besides Tuva, Mongolia is the most active center of throat-singing. Many styles, very related to Tuvan singing. Try Michael Ormiston’s site, with lots of info

Khakassia: Just northwest from Tuva, the art is called Khai (or Xai). There are 2 videos of Khai singers at the khoomei.com video page.

Altai This republic directly west of Tuva is home to Kai singing. Here’s an MP3 by the group, AltKai.

Bashkortostan In this southern Ural Mountain republic, the regional throat-singing is called Uzlyau. I have a recording of uzlyau performer Robert Zigritdinov, which I’ll eventually digitize. He does appear on van Tongeren’s book/CD. The performers sometimes simultaneously play flute and sing, as in Mongolia. This is an unusual tradition, as several researchers mention that performers often don’t know any other performers, or teachers. The means of transmission is therefore quite vague.

Umngqokolo Umqang This Xhosa variant is perfomed by women, and sounds very deep and unique. There is very little documentation available, but I have seen a video by South African Ethnomusicologist David Dargie which if I recall correctly, mentioned shamanic connections. Here’s a MP3

Inuit “throat-singing” is a very different vocal art than the others included here, and is not multiphonic. However, it does sometimes use similar vocal timbres which often include the use of both the vocal and ventricular folds (I believe). And, as in the case of the Tibetan monks, it is not true “singing.” It sometimes involve the unsual technique of vocalizing on alternating inhalation/exhalations. Here is an article with an interview with Inuit throat-singer Evie Mark, and a video sample of Evie and Sarah Beaulne. I’m not sure if this tradition extends to other areas of the Arctic.

From Widipedia: The Ainu of Japan had throat singing, called rekkukara, until 1976 when the last practitioner died. It resembled more the Inuit variety than the Mongolian. If this technique of singing emerged only once and then in the Old World, the move from Siberia to northern Canada must have been over Bering Strait land bridge some 12,000 years ago.

Inuit Throat Singing: When the men are away on a hunting trip, the women left at home entertain themselves with games, which may involve throat singing. Two women face each other usually in a standing position. One singer leads by setting a short rhythmic pattern, which she repeats leaving brief silent intervals between each repetition. The other singer fills in the gap with another rhythmic pattern. Usually thecompetition lasts up to three minutes until one of the singers starts to laugh or is left breathless. At one time the lips of the two women almost touched, so that one singer used the mouth cavity of the other as a resonator, but this isn’t so common today. Often the singing is accompanied by a shuffling in rhythm from one foot to the other. The sounds may be actual words or nonsense syllables or created during exhalation.

New World Terms: The name for throat singing in Canada varies with the geography:

• Northern Quebec – katajjaq
• Baffin Island – pirkusirtuk
• Nunavut – nipaquhiit

The Indians in Alaska have lost the art and those in Greenland evidently never developed it.

Rajasthan, India This is a very interesting example of a unique, peculiar and non-traditional development, as there is no such custom here. The anonymous singer learned to overtone sing by imitating the local double-flutes. MP3

USA – 1920s – The legendary and obscure Arthur Miles was an American cowboy singer who, apparently, also independently developed his own overtone singing style. He also sang in normal voice, yodeled, and played guitar. Almost nothing is know of him or his influences, but the dates of his recordings, believed to be about 1928-29, make him one of the earliest overtone singers ever recorded! Lonely Cowboy Part 1 Lonely Cowboy Part 2 Thanks to John (quaern from the Yahoo group)

You can find more info on some of these in Mark van Tongeren’s Overtone Singing


This video identifies some parts of the interior larynx.

Ever wonder how videos of the inside of the larynx are made? See this video about fibroscopy, used to make endoscopic videos.

Some Throat-Singing Tips:

• Go easy! When learning you’ll be using your anatomy in new ways. Don’t sing too loud, too long, or too often; use common sense!

• Dry throat? Here’s the cure that I developed: All of us suffer from time to time the effects of dry throat. Whatever the cause, whether dry climate, air conditioning or heat, colds, allergies, medications, or nerves, it can be difficult to remedy. The usual “remedy” is to drink some water. This will help to moisten the mouth, but the water will be directed by the epiglottis away from the larynx and respiratory system. Drinking lots of water may offer some help, due to general rehydration of the body, but often will fail to adequately hydrate the vocal system’s mucus membranes. Here’s a technique I developed to remedy this problem, which for some reason some of my students call “The Human Bong Trick:”

1. Take a good mouthful of water.

2. Extend the lips to a point.

3. Leaving a small hole, face the floor and inhale through the water. The air will bubble through the water, becoming moist, and deliver this moisture to the surface of the interior of the larynx, trachea, and lungs in an effective and non-irritating manner. (Editors note: Try this next time you are on an airplane. It is a great antidote to dry cabin air. Just be careful not to suck water into your lungs.)

4. Do this for a minute or two, and you will feel a great improvement in both comfort and voice!”

I’ll try do produce a video demonstrating this hydrating technique. Stay tuned!

• Musical Tip: Remember that any technique or action that changes any sonic parameter, including pitch, tone, texture, etc., can be manipulated in time to produce rhthyms.

• If you attempt to learn kargyraa too low in your vocal range, you have nowhere to go. You need to start in your low midrange, and when you correctly engage both sets of folds the sound will “drop an octave.”

• If you are having trouble getting the basic kargyraa voice, try singing it with your mouth shut. The velum will open, allowing you to sing through your nose. The smaller outlet produces back-pressure, which helps many folks to get the sound.

• To strengthen the kargyraa sound, and to make it easier to “get fresh” each time, practice alternating the sound like flipping a switch: With the vocal folds engaged producing a sustained tone, repeatedly engage and release the ventricular folds.

• Make sure that your mouth is open at least enough that you can hear what you’re doing in your throat! Also, too much constriction in the larynx or elsewhere will kill the sound. Just enough for a good sound, and no more!

• As in many endeavors, the tendency is to OVERDO. To use too much tension, airflow, volume, intensity. More often than not, the answer is to back off. Use only as much effort as necessary, only where it is needed. Too much pressure can also damage your vascular system; there are many stories of Mongolian singers who used too much pressure and broke blood vessels. Don’t blow a gasket!!!

Avoid hurting your throat. There is a simple equation at work here: Pressure (airflow, powered beneath the diaphragm) meets constriction in the larynx. Too much airflow meeting this constriction will stress the throat. Try this: Close your mouth, and blow hard. Your cheeks will puff out and eventually your lips will give out. Imagine doing this with more delicate, sensitive membranes as in your throat. Don’t do this!

More coming soon…

The Pharynx, Mouth, and Sinuses


Rear-View Coronal Section of Larynx

Links – Voice, vocal anatomy, etc.

Structures of the larynx Good site from Mythos Anatomy/Webmed, with interactive anatomy figures.

Singing and Anatomy Two articles on voice production

The Singing Voice: Anatomy More good info on the vocal anatomy. Lots of useful graphics, videos, and links. Don’t miss the section on Castrati, and remember that it may improve sygyt but at the expense of a good, deep kargyraa. Act accordingly.

Lots of cool links about the voice

A Basic Overview of Voice Production by Ronald C. Scherer, Ph.D. Lots off good definitions of vocal terms.

How the Larynx (Voice Box) Works Charles R. Larson, Ph.D. Good article with good graphics.

Google Search: “singing” and “larynx” Can’t get enough, now, can you?

Last Updated 11-21-05


10 years Muziekpublique | Raphaël De Cock : Improvisations on Tuvan throat singing , BELGIQUE


Ajoutée le 13 juin 2012

Raphaël De Cock unveils here a series of techniques typical of throat and overtone singing from Tuva, a region in Southern Siberia. You hear a suite of improvisations: a deep growling style of throat singing (Kargyraa), a technique that brings to mind the Jew’s harp or the didgeridoo (Khöömei), a style that makes waves like water (Borbangnadyr) and one with overtones that whistle (Sygyt).

Raphaël was 16 when he first heard Tuvan singers on the radio. As a Jew’s harp- and Uilleann pipe- player, he noticed that their singing techniques worked according to the same drone principle as his instruments — and so soon he started to look into making these sounds himself. After years of practice, with occasional refinements from Tuvans, visiting for concerts or encountered on his travels, he has perfected the art of overtone singing. The very same vocal techniques are used in Sardinian polyphonic choirs — and these are another of Raphaël’s passions. He uses his throat singing (traditional and his own styles), innovations, improvisations and tones in various groups: Osuna, NadiSuna, GRIFF, Northern Lights, and the cine-concert project ‘Odna’. He also gives singing lessons at Muziekpublique.

Raphaël De Cock dévoile une série de techniques typiques de chants de gorge et chants diphoniques de Touva, une région dans le sud de la Sibérie. Vous entendez une suite d’improvisations : un style profond de chant de gorge grognant (kargyraa), une technique qui rappelle le son des guimbardes ou didgeridoos (Khöömei), un style qui ondule comme l’eau (borbangnadyr) et un avec des diphonies qui sifflent (sygyt). A l’âge de 16 ans Raphaël a pour la première fois entendu les chanteurs tuvains à la radio. Comme joueur de guimbarde et de cornemuse (uilleann pipes), leurs techniques de chant — selon le même principe de bourdon que ses instruments — a fortement attiré son attention et bientôt il a commencé à chercher à les produire lui-même. Après de nombreuses années de pratique et des ajustements occasionnels par des chanteurs tuvains en visite pour des concerts, ou pendant ses voyages, il s’est perfectionné dans les chants diphoniques. Les mêmes techniques vocales de gorge sont également utilisées en polyphonie sarde, une autre passion de Raphaël. Raphaël utilise le chant de gorge, traditionnel ou des techniques auto-inventées, les improvisations et les timbres dans différents groupes : Osuna, NadiSuna, GRIFF, Northern Lights, cineconcertproject “Odna”,… Raphael donne également des cours de chants chez Muziekpublique.

Raphaël De Cock geeft een reeks van typische keel- en boventoonzangtechnieken ten prijs uit Tuva, een streek in Zuid-Siberië. U hoort een improvisatie met achtereenvolgens een diepe brommende keelzangstijl (kargyraa), een techniek die doet denken aan de klank van mondharpen of didgeridoos (khöömeï), en een stijl die kabbelt als water (borbangnadyr) en één met fluitende boventonen (sygyt). Raphaël hoorde op 16-jarige leeftijd de eerste keer Tuvaanse keelzangers op de radio. Als mondharpspeler en beginnend doedelzakspeler (uilleann pipes) trokken deze zangtechnieken – met hetzelfde bourdonprincipe van deze instrumenten – sterk zijn aandacht en algauw begon hij er zelf naar te zoeken. Na vele jaren oefenen en occasionele bijsturing door Tuvaanse zangers, hier op bezoek voor concerten, of op zijn reizen, leerde hij en schaaft hij nog voortdurend zijn stem bij.
Dezelfde keelstemtechnieken worden immers ook gebruikt in Sardische polyfonie waar Raphaël gepassioneerd mee bezig is. Raphaël gebruikt keelzang, zowel traditionele als meer zelfuitgevonden technieken, improvisaties en timbres in verschillende groepen, o.a. OSUNA, NadiSuna, GRIFF, Northern Lights, cinéconcertproject “Odna”. Raphaël is ook leraar zang bij Muziekpublique.

Image: Rafael Serenellini, Justine vande Walle, Zeno Graton
Sound : Cédric Plisnier, Arthur Benedetti
Production : Jacoba Kint, Morgane Mathieu
Technical coordination: Mathieu Alexandre
English translation: Owen Thomas McEldowney


“A Song a Day: World Tour in Music and Images”: