Mongolian Throat Singing

Question 1

khoomei

Answer 1

form of singing originating in western Mongolia (Altai Mountains region)

Question 2

Khoomei refers to the…

Answer 2

throat muscles used for singing.

Question 3

Khoomei involves…

Answer 3

producing two pitches at once.

Question 4

Khoomei is used to…

Answer 4

imitate animal sounds for hunting and herding.

Question 5

The harmony and timbre of khoomei has been described by scholars from various countries as…

Answer 5

(1) French: Chant overtone singing or split voice; Originally associated with dance, later referred to as a musical instrument
(2) British: Split-tones, throat singing, and overtone singing in melodic styles or with double vowels
(3) German: Overtone chanting, harmonic singing, or throat singing; Sometimes mentioned as singing in two tones at once or as solo voice
(4) Russian: Overtone or throat singing

Question 6

Descriptions from various countries differ from those from Central Asia because…

Answer 6

(1) Language and broader cultural aspects are integral to understanding of Khoomei in Central Asia
(2) Deeply rooted in culture and tradition
(3) Connected to region’s natural environment and geographical features
(4) Reflects the traditional customs of people living in area

Question 7

Khoomei has been explained through the lens of human mouth anatomical structure by…

Answer 7

(1) Involving the creation of resonant sounds as air moves through the mouth cavity
(2) Sound can be amplified by changing where it is generated; Upper nasal cavity, mouth cavity, larynx and pharynx
(3) Connecting khoomei to anatomy of throat, organs of speech, vocalization processes, and the human body