# Tuvan Throat Singing **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 22, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063 "2016-06-22T17:27:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/1 "2016-06-22T17:27:19Z")
In one episode of the Big Bang Theory, Sheldon attempts to to coerce Leonard to take him on a trip to Switzerland by invoking the dread Roommate Agreement: that he had complied by not practicing his Tuvan Throat Singing, so Leonard owed him. He then croaks a deep reedy didgeridoo sound that practically vibrates the building. I don’t know if he actually did it or they had somebody overdub, but I had to look it up. Turns out Mongolians have lots of open space and use all that countryside as sounding boards for their singing, so those elongated croaks can be heard for miles. Plus, there’s at least 8 styles. The Khoomei style produces a harmonic that sounds like a distant whistle, along with the grumbling bass notes. This [particular throat singer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx8hrhBZJ98) uses several of them, and it’s incredible. He has a range of at least 5 octaves. Now I wanna learn how to do it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/2 "2016-06-22T17:40:28Z")
I’m a big fan! I was first introduced to Tuvan throat singing in college when we had a group perform at FSU. 10 or 12 years later came the excellent film _Genghis Blues_ about a blind San Francisco musician’s efforts to teach himself this style and his awe-inspiring journey to Mongolia to finally meet _and compete_ with other throat singers. Check this out: he’s blind, so he has to teach himself to speak Russian by listening to ham radio broadcasts, then he has to teach himself to read Russian Braille so he can learn Mongolian so he can learn to throat sing. It’s a freaking amazing story but hopefully in the past 20 years we’ve documented more of it so you might not have to learn Russian to learn Mongolian to learn to sing, **Knowed Out**. Heck, I even keep most of Kongar-ol Onar’s _Back Tuva Future_ in my phone so it comes up on shuffle now and again. ---
**Author:** ![bunyupp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@bunyupp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bunyupp)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/3 "2016-06-22T17:52:13Z")
Here are a couple of bands you may enjoy: [Tengger Cavalry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMyzKWgJeB4) and [Nine Treasures](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HTIofyNvbU). I believe _Tengger Cavalry_ are from China and _Nine Treasures_ is from Mongolia. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/4 "2016-06-22T17:52:24Z")
I first heard of it reading about Feynman and his “Tuva or bust!” crusade. Most recently ran across it (or something like) on a Carolina Chocolate Drops Youtube of Trouble on your Mind. (Awesome group/song BTW, Tuvan throat singing or no!) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/5 "2016-06-22T17:59:54Z")
I saw some Tuvan throat singers at a music festival. It was a remarkable sound they make. Have you heard the Inuit version? It’s like a competition and they stand face to face holding each other. It’s even cooler, in my opinion! And then they giggle when they’re done! ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/6 "2016-06-22T20:32:57Z")
I first heard Tuvan throat singing being used on top of synths in '90s ambient music (such as [KLF](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S_lktstwrs&feature=youtu.be&t=427)). In normal singing, one is only singing one note/pitch at a time. In Tuvan singing, the technique is such that one can sing a sustained fundamental dronal note and then one or more notes on top of that. I’ve heard it done live by a Westerner on more than one occasion, so I suppose it would be possible for you to learn it if you persevered. The wiki page on the subject mentions a 1920s Texan cowboy singer, Arthur Miles, who independently created a similar style of throat singing. [Here’s a recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpAFZnMyC7o&feature=youtu.be&t=288) of his and the upper “whistling” part of the sound is certainly very similar. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/7 "2016-06-22T21:05:51Z")
Huun-Huur-Tu. I saw the them live in central Indiana. Worth every mile I drove there and back. Their rendition of a night by a campfire gave me goosebumps. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/8 "2016-06-22T22:13:29Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Huun-Huur-Tu. I saw the them live in central Indiana. Worth every mile I drove there and back. Their rendition of a night by a campfire gave me goosebumps. I’ve got their album, 60 Horses in My Herd. I think it’s fabulous, although that’s not a view shared by anyone I’ve ever played it to… the philistines. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/9 "2016-06-22T22:21:09Z")
I’ve never heard of this, yet I’m sure that I’ve come across that sound used in some movies before. There’s something strangely comforting about it. Somehow, this makes my day so much brighter. Thank you! No doubt **Knowed Out** knows no doubt! ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/10 "2016-06-22T22:58:48Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I’ve never heard of this, yet I’m sure that I’ve come across that sound used in some movies before. There’s something strangely comforting about it. I’m pretty sure Tibetan monks are doing the same thing when they pray. That was my introduction to it. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/11 "2016-06-22T23:05:02Z")
I was attempting this on the drive home. I could only maintain a growl for a couple of seconds, and these singers last considerably longer. Not only can they maintain, they can project, shape their mouth cavities like echo chambers, and produce harmonics with a mere twitch. I tried not to sound like Cookie Monster. My throat is in shreds. I remembered hearing Tuvan singing in electronic music, but not the artist. Thanks for the KLF link, Walken. I listened to Huun-Huur-Tu earlier today on Youtube and felt like I was in a dream. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/12 "2016-06-23T00:01:41Z")
**[Genghis Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz4DJHb1r0I)** is about blind blues singer Paul Pena (who also wrote various songs, include Steve Miller’s _Jet Airliner_) and his journey to learn how to throat sing from Mongolian monks. The film was nominated for a Best Documentary Oscar and is well worth checking out. Ninja’d by Snowboarder Bo! But I’ve included a link to the film… ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/13 "2016-06-23T01:07:37Z")
I agree with Sattua, there is something in common between the sounds of throat singing, what the Inuit do, the sound of Tibetan monks chanting, and I’d add a fourth, First Nations singing/drumming. Something seemingly basic and primal resonates through all! ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/14 "2016-06-23T06:19:16Z")
I first encountered throat singing through the fusion work of Yat Kha. Check out[this awesome cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimODzNt_S8)! ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/15 "2016-06-23T11:48:30Z")
A few years back I was randomly looking up someone I knew from grade school/high school. After some poking around online/on facebook, I found him. He moved to Russia, learned the local language of the country he’s in (turned out to be Tuva), married someone and manages a throat singing band. Due to his US connections they tour the US regularly (or maybe they were before, what do I know). They also seem to regularly win awards, they appear to be fairly popular…as far as Tuvan throat singing bands go). Funny coincidence. About a year ago, I was reading a random article on the Consumerist (link on Facebook). When I was done I noticed it was written by his sister. Turns out she’s an in house author there and does TV spots from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/16 "2016-06-23T12:07:51Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I’m a big fan! > > Heck, I even keep most of Kongar-ol Onar’s _Back Tuva Future_ in my phone so it comes up on shuffle now and again. Of course you are and of course you do. Said with sincerity and respect. You are eclectic-er than me, coupled with an ability to invest wide in your music. Cool. I have heard nothing but good things about Genghis Blues. Gotta check that out. ::checks:: Not sure where I can stream it - it is listed on APrime but doesn’t appear to have a streaming option. I will find it. I find the Tuvan throat singing I have heard fascinating and the stories even more so. The human vocal instrument is a weird and wonderful thing. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/17 "2016-06-23T12:18:46Z")
> [@bunyupp](#): > > Here are a couple of bands you may enjoy: [Tengger Cavalry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMyzKWgJeB4) and [Nine Treasures](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HTIofyNvbU). I believe _Tengger Cavalry_ are from China and _Nine Treasures_ is from Mongolia. Consider my Asian stereotypes blown. Tengger Cavalry f’ing rock! ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/18 "2016-06-23T17:05:53Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I first encountered throat singing through the fusion work of Yat Kha. Check out[this awesome cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimODzNt_S8)! I had the pleasure of catching them on tour for their album of covers. We were in Scotland, so the crowd went nuts for ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. I knew I absolutely had to see them, having been introduced to the art form by A college screening of Genghis Blues several years before. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/19 "2016-06-23T17:12:26Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > I’ve got their album, 60 Horses in My Herd. I think it’s fabulous, although that’s not a view shared by anyone I’ve ever played it to… the philistines. I have this one too. I saw them when they came to town in the early/mid 90s, and this album quickly became one of my favorites. Such a unique sound! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063/20 "2016-06-23T17:15:29Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > **[Genghis Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz4DJHb1r0I)** is about blind blues singer Paul Pena (who also wrote various songs, include Steve Miller’s _Jet Airliner_) and his journey to learn how to throat sing from Mongolian monks. The film was nominated for a Best Documentary Oscar and is well worth checking out. > > Ninja’d by Snowboarder Bo! But I’ve included a link to the film… > [@WordMan](#): > > Of course you are and of course you do. Said with sincerity and respect. You are eclectic-er than me, coupled with an ability to invest wide in your music. Cool. > > I have heard nothing but good things about Genghis Blues. Gotta check that out. > > ::checks:: Not sure where I can stream it - it is listed on APrime but doesn’t appear to have a streaming option. I will find it. > > I find the Tuvan throat singing I have heard fascinating and the stories even more so. The human vocal instrument is a weird and wonderful thing. **MovieMogul** ’s link goes to a YouTube page that has a still picture that displays for almost 90 minutes, but there is no film; the YouTuber wants people to click another link, supposedly that link goes to the actual movie. Don’t click that link, is my advice. Instead, you can watch the film legitimately at [Fandor](https://www.fandor.com/films/genghis_blues) if you just create an account (they have a free trial period, so be sure and cancel after you watch if you don’t want another $10/month place to watch movies added to your expenses). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuvan-throat-singing/758063.md?page=2)