Throat Singing

[BrandonE]

I've recently become very interested in throat singing, and am learning to do it myself. Any other khoomei fans?

My recent resurgence in interest (I'd heard about it a few years ago, but never looked into it too closely) was a result of hearing a fantastic review of the CD "Bahamut" by the group Hazmat Modine on NPR.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6383386

What the heck is he talking about, you say?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtone_singing
http://www.khoomei.com

 

[MysticSang'ha]

That is so cool, Brandon.



I've seemed to have an interest in khoomei since I could remember from the first time I'd ever heard it. Tibetans have a way of chanting at such a low pitch with higher overtones that when I hear it I'm completely mesmerized. Listening to it........I can't describe it. I sometimes feel the hair raise on the back of my neck, it's so powerful.



Peace,
Mystic

 

[Feathers in Hair]

'Mesmerized'- that's totally the right word for it! It evokes something primal, to me, something both soothing and energizing!

 

[BrandonE]

That is so cool, Brandon.



I've seemed to have an interest in khoomei since I could remember from the first time I'd ever heard it. Tibetans have a way of chanting at such a low pitch with higher overtones that when I hear it I'm completely mesmerized. Listening to it........I can't describe it. I sometimes feel the hair raise on the back of my neck, it's so powerful.



Peace,
Mystic

You'll particularly enjoy the first of these videos then, Heather. These are all the group Huun Huur Tu(*) performing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. The first one is a lamaist chant that they've titled "Prayer". The chant-style voice "kargyraa" is my favorite as well, and what I'm trying to learn right now. That particular style is showcased in the fifth video, as a solo. That one absolutely knocks my socks off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVkJ1Bf-QzU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtnMmYx0vLU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXNrs1dS94U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB3SrxCAxhs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85rQuxEk5Lo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxK4pQgVvfg

* - Note of interest, the name Huun Huur Tu means "sun propeller" which refers to the phenomenon of rays of sun being visible through cloudbreaks. I think its a great image and name.

 

[michel]

Incredible; I can actually sing a little the way they do - but only for a few seconds - because I find it hurts. I guess it is only a matter of practice (the vocal chords are just muscles after all).

Sublime stuff though - enough to send me "off somewhere" - I'd love to meditate to that music.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

You'll particularly enjoy the first of these videos then, Heather. These are all the group Huun Huur Tu(*) performing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. The first one is a lamaist chant that they've titled "Prayer". The chant-style voice "kargyraa" is my favorite as well, and what I'm trying to learn right now. That particular style is showcased in the fifth video, as a solo. That one absolutely knocks my socks off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVkJ1Bf-QzU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtnMmYx0vLU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXNrs1dS94U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB3SrxCAxhs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85rQuxEk5Lo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxK4pQgVvfg

* - Note of interest, the name Huun Huur Tu means "sun propeller" which refers to the phenomenon of rays of sun being visible through cloudbreaks. I think its a great image and name.

Their performance brought tears to my eyes. Stunning and beautiful! Thank you, Brandon! :hug:



Peace,
Mystic

 

[BrandonE]

Incredible; I can actually sing a little the way they do - but only for a few seconds - because I find it hurts. I guess it is only a matter of practice (the vocal chords are just muscles after all).

Sublime stuff though - enough to send me "off somewhere" - I'd love to meditate to that music.

If you have any real interest in pursuing it michel, there are resources at the following websites:
http://www.khoomei.com
http://www.busker-kibbutznik.org/khoomei/HOW-TO/
These, and a natural inclination toward making "strange" noises with my voice, are all I've used to teach myself a rudimentary skill in this style of singing. A lot of practice is what it will take to make it sound decent.

Their performance brought tears to my eyes. Stunning and beautiful! Thank you, Brandon! :hug:

Glad you enjoyed it, Heather.