Throat singing lessons in Mongolia
I heard of throat singing (perhaps more correctly called overtone singing) from the film Genghis Blues. Although Paul Pena went to Tuva, rather than Mongolia, it seems that some form of overtone singing happens in Mongolia.
Is it possible for English-speakers to learn throat/overtone singing in Mongolia?
Best Answer
It is possible for an English speaker to learn this unique style of singing.
The series of photos show a British woman, who is an English speaker, engaging two such singers in an impromptu lesson. Neither speaks the other's language and the instruction is done via body language and imitation.
The bottom photo shows the sound being reproduced by the Brit (on the right). Although a beginner, the fundamental learning process has taken place.
The scenes are in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulaanbaatar.
For those wanting a practice lesson from the comfort of home, check out Khoomii (throat singing) lesson by Sundui
For those planning to learn on a visit, the best place to meet and engage someone to teach is at the Naadam Festival, where there are throat singing competitions.
Update 30 Sept 2015
I have now watched the film "Genghis Blues", which documents the travel by Paul Pena to Mongolia for the purpose of learning 'throat singing'. While it's true he eventually acquired a working knowledge of the language after a long time, when he first arrived and started learning his knowledge was limited to a few serviceable phrases of the sort that any traveller could pick up from a generic phrase book.
Pictures about "Throat singing lessons in Mongolia"
Can I learn Mongolian throat singing?
But not to worry, that doesn't mean you can't learn. Even if you're 25 years old or 45 years old, you can pick up this style of vocalizing. And despite the fact that Tuvans discourage women from throat singing (believing it causes infertility), women are physically capable of learning.Why do Mongolians throat sing?
Throat singers in Mongolia mimic the sounds of nature and combine them with human sounds in order to promote the sense of harmony between the two. Khuumii is the outward expression of cultural reverence for their natural surroundings.How do you become a Mongolian throat singer?
Where To Start?Can Mongolian throat singing damage your voice?
IS TUVAN THROAT SINGING BAD FOR MY VOICE? No. The ventricular vocal folds that you vibrate by singing this way are not used to vibrating, but research shows that it can't cause any damage to your voice.How to learn throat singing at home
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Pavel Danilyuk, Pavel Danilyuk, Pavel Danilyuk, Pavel Danilyuk