# Multiple tones from a single larynx

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-tones-from-a-single-larynx/192961>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [August 4, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-tones-from-a-single-larynx/192961 "2003-08-04T20:08:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![beckerxc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@beckerxc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckerxc)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-tones-from-a-single-larynx/192961/1 "2003-08-04T20:08:49Z")

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Tibetan Buddhist monks have long practiced multiphonic chanting. It is said to be the holiest sound ever heard. Apparently, the monks achieve a state called “samadhi” which is “a trancelike state of pure consciousness, undisturbed by the polarities of life, experience, and thought”. It is thought that the multiphonic tones can only be created by someone who has realized selfless wisdom.

And that’s my $0.02

-Tom

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**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-tones-from-a-single-larynx/192961/2 "2003-08-04T21:33:20Z")

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If you’re talking about the same thing I saw on a documentary movie [Genghis Blues](http://www.genghisblues.com/) about blind blues singer Paul Pena’s trip to Tuva to learn throat singing, it’s not restricted to those you’ve described. Have you seen this film?

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**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-tones-from-a-single-larynx/192961/3 "2003-08-05T01:23:31Z")

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I presume you’re commenting on [Can one person sing two notes at the same time?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_078b.html)

Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **beckerxc** , glad to have you with us.

It’s helpful, when you start a new thread, if you provide a link to the column that you are commenting on. Helps keep everyone on the same page and reduces the confusion (well, mostly.) No biggie, and you’ll know for next time. Welcome.

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**Author:** ![Beruang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-tones-from-a-single-larynx/192961/4 "2003-08-06T19:02:36Z")

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Here’s an article from Scientific American explaining how it’s done.

> **[The Throat Singers of Tuva](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-throat-singers-of-tuv/)**
>
> Testing the limits of vocal ingenuity, throat-singers can create sounds unlike anything in ordinary speech and song--carrying two musical lines simultaneously, say, or harmonizing with a waterfall

– Beruang