Khöömei is the Mongolian practice of producing two notes simultaneously from one voice. Physiologically astonishing, spiritually loaded, and currently having a moment. Our guide to understanding, hearing, and experiencing it.
Bayartsogt Ganbold
Khöömei is the Mongolian and Tuvan practice of producing a low fundamental tone with overtones that sound as a melody above it. The singer is producing two pitches at once from a single voice. UNESCO added Mongolian khöömei to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010.
Kharkhiraa (low bass, the growl of a horseman). Isgeree (whistle, high overtone). Sygyt (clear whistle through a relaxed larynx). Ezengileer (rhythmic pulse like horseback riding). Borbangnadyr (low bubbling). Khoslakh (two-voice combination). And various regional styles. The Khangai and the Altai have distinct traditions.
Your vocal cords produce the low tone. Your tongue, lips, and jaw shape the overtones above it. It is not painful when done correctly. Many new students try for six months before they produce their first clean overtone. Masters train for decades.
The Hu, the globally famous metal band, uses khöömei over heavy guitar. Huun-Huur-Tu, a Tuvan ensemble, is the classical reference. Batzorig Vaanchig and Tserendavaa are living Mongolian masters. Anda Union, a group from Inner Mongolia, is a different but related tradition.
Tumen Ekh Ensemble in UB (daily, tourist-facing). Our private Otugi Camp recording sessions with Khangai masters (by arrangement). The Naadam opening ceremony (stadium scale). Tsagaan Sar household visits (intimate family setting).
A Rara Avis Throat Singing Intensive is a three-day workshop with Master Tserendavaa at Otugi Camp. Group of six, 1,950 USD per person all-inclusive. You will not walk out a master. You will walk out understanding why it takes a lifetime.
Carole Pegg, Mongolian Music, Dance, and Oral Narrative. For recordings: start with Huun-Huur-Tu's 60 Horses in My Herd album. Then move to solo albums by Batzorig. For metal: The Hu's first album, The Gereg.