Throat singing is a vocal technique used in many cultures around the world. It involves a deep, guttural sound that is different from the typical singing voices, which are usually produced using the chest (normal) or head (higher, lighter) registers. Throat singing often creates the impression of hearing two or more separate musical notes at the same time, even though the singer is making only one sound.

There are many different ways to perform throat singing, and these methods originally came from specific cultures. Some techniques share similar sounds, which makes them recognizable to people from other cultures and those who use common singing styles.

Terminology

Throat singing is a musical tradition practiced by many ethnic groups, including the Turkic peoples (such as the Tuvans, Tofalars, Altai, Khakass, Yakuts, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz), Mongolic peoples (such as the Mongols, Buryats, and Kalmyks), and Tungus-Manchu peoples (such as the Evenks and Evens). The term "throat singing" comes from the Tuvan word Xöömei and the Mongolian word Xöömi, which both refer to the throat and guttural sounds used in this style. People from countries like Mongolia, Russia, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Italy, China, and India, among others, use the term "throat singing" to describe their unique ways of creating music.

The term "throat singing" is not precise because all singing techniques involve the throat, where the voice is produced by the larynx, including the vocal folds and other structures. This means that even classical operatic singing or pop singing could technically be called "throat singing." However, the word "throat" is not officially used in medical anatomy (as defined in Terminologia Anatomica) and is not closely tied to most singing styles.

Some writers, performers, teachers, and listeners connect throat singing with overtone singing. These two styles are not the same, even though some dictionaries (like Britannica) may suggest they are. In some cases, both techniques can appear together, such as in the khargyraa style from Tuva, which uses a deep, tense voice along with overtone singing.

The phrase "singing with the throat" might be seen as disrespectful by some singers, as it could imply that the voice is forced or unsuitable. The word "throaty" is often linked to rough, raspy, or hoarse sounds. While the term "throat singing" has been widely used since the 1960s, some modern scholars prefer to avoid it as a general term.

People around the world enjoy concerts and workshops by musical groups from cultures that practice throat singing. In addition to traditional performances, throat singing is also used and explored by musicians in contemporary, rock, new-age, pop, and independent music genres.

Types of throat singing

Throat singing can be studied in two main ways. One way focuses on cultural aspects, such as how it is used in traditions, religious practices, storytelling, and work songs. The other way looks at the artistic and scientific side, including how sound is made and how people learn to sing this way.

The most well-known throat singing styles are often linked to ancient cultures. Examples include Khöömei, practiced in Mongolia, Tuva, and China, and Canto Tenore from Sardinia. These styles are recognized by UNESCO as important parts of cultural heritage.

• Mongolian and Tuvan throat singing involves many techniques. It is practiced in Mongolia, the Republic of Tuva (in Russia), and China.
• Some Buddhist chants in India and Tibet use a method called vocal-ventricular phonation, which combines sounds from two parts of the voice to create deep tones.
• Inuit throat singing is a type of two-person singing competition practiced by the Inuit in Canada.
• Rekuhkara was a practice once used by the Ainu people of Hokkaidō, Japan.
• Canto a tenore, or Sardinian throat singing, is found in Sardinia. A similar style called Paghjella exists in Corsica, but it does not use throat singing techniques.

In music, throat singing includes these specific methods:

• Overtone singing, also called harmonic singing, is the most common type of throat singing.
• Undertone singing uses techniques that create lower sounds based on specific frequency patterns.
• Diplophonic voice involves sounds made by parts of the vocal system vibrating at unusual ratios, often linked to health-related conditions.
• Growl voice uses a technique where parts of the vocal system above the larynx vibrate along with the vocal folds.
• Vocal fry is a technique that uses the vocal fry register, a type of low, raspy sound.

Audio examples

• Kargyraa.mp3
• Khoomei.mp3
• Sound samples, by Leonardo Fuks, from the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden.