Why Harmonic Singing?
I have held a long time interest and fascination with Overtone chanting or Harmonic singing. It is an ancient method of using the voice that still is relevant for this time. I will explore the different aspects such as: cultures, techniques, its use in healing and just plain music, and other related issues. It ranges from the sacred to the more mainstream. It's effects on the body, mind, and emotions is at times hard to describe. This is why I built this lens so that I can share this knowledge and experience with you.
What is Harmonic Singing?
Your Voice the Rainbow
Harmonic Singing or Overtone Chanting is a method of using the voice in such a way that more than one note is heard. It is literally singing in chords. There is the basic voice or the fundamental and the overtones which can be from 1 to ?. There can also be undertones, which are more subtle to the hearing. Our voices already have these within them. This technique just utilizes the throat, tongue, and skull to separate them out and make them more audible. This is not unlike light going through a prism. Your voice is like the light and the throat and head are like a prism creating "Audible light".
It has been used over the centuries in sacred ceremony and folk music. It seems to have possible healing effects as well. Usually these are emotional, maybe sometimes physical. I have experienced these effects for myself and can testify to this.
It has been used over the centuries in sacred ceremony and folk music. It seems to have possible healing effects as well. Usually these are emotional, maybe sometimes physical. I have experienced these effects for myself and can testify to this.
My First Harmonic Experiences
This is How It All Began
So, what got me so interested in this esoteric form of music?, you may ask, or not. Well, since this is my lens, I will tell you anyway.The first time that I heard harmonic singing, it was on a tape of David Hykes Harmonic Choir. It was one of the most remarkable things that I have ever heard. I also was told later that it may do some harm if one learned it, so I wasn't in the least interested in learning how to do this. Anyway, I didn't have a clue as to where to learn it, so it didn't matter.
During this time (mid '80s), I was attending a meditation class on Saturdays. There was a little known event called the "Harmonic Convergence". I attended a pre-Convergence meditation with a group of people in the place where I regularly went to my classes. While I was in a deep meditative trance, the group leader, my teacher, had us chant some OMs. What I heard coming out of my mouth was not my normal voice. I was in a detached enough state that I could only observe what I was chanting and hearing. My voice sounded like my voice with bells, whistles, and angelic voices added. I even heard it continue after I closed my mouth. I just listened in detached wonder as I listened to it.
After the meditation was done, I had all but forgotten this until a woman came up to me. She said "You're the one who was making those sounds. I was trying to figure out who was doing them." whereupon she described the same exact sounds that I heard. This seemed to anchor the ability to do them at will. I swear I never had a lesson in this lifetime before then. I got the special treatment all of the Convergence because of that since it was so new to people. That really anchored the ability in me. I have been chanting with this technique ever since and have experienced some interesting effects from it.
Out There/In Here
Where Did I Learn How To Do This?
I find that when this vocal technique is applied, miraculous things can happen.
Shortly after receiving this gift, I was listening to a David Hykes tape during a meditation. I had the thought of where did I learn this? I then found myself in a young Tibetan boy's body (approx. 10 years old). The location seemed to be a narrow altar room in a potala in Tibet. He was sitting on a rug covered platform that was carried by four Tibetan Buddhist monks. He was wearing a silky colorful (mostly yellow) robe with a hat that was like a crown with tassels in the front. He was carried up to the front of the room while the monks all around him were overtone chanting. His mind was very still. I think that I was the only ripple in it. Then I came back to the present.
I had never seen an outfit like the one that this boy was wearing before this experience. Later, I found a tape of overtone chanting by the Gyuto Tibetan Buddhist Monks. There were pictures of that outfit in it. My conclusion is that I believe that this individual was or is real. I had encountered this one at a later age during a rebirthing session as well and learned a curiously powerful form of breathing as well.
Shortly after receiving this gift, I was listening to a David Hykes tape during a meditation. I had the thought of where did I learn this? I then found myself in a young Tibetan boy's body (approx. 10 years old). The location seemed to be a narrow altar room in a potala in Tibet. He was sitting on a rug covered platform that was carried by four Tibetan Buddhist monks. He was wearing a silky colorful (mostly yellow) robe with a hat that was like a crown with tassels in the front. He was carried up to the front of the room while the monks all around him were overtone chanting. His mind was very still. I think that I was the only ripple in it. Then I came back to the present.
I had never seen an outfit like the one that this boy was wearing before this experience. Later, I found a tape of overtone chanting by the Gyuto Tibetan Buddhist Monks. There were pictures of that outfit in it. My conclusion is that I believe that this individual was or is real. I had encountered this one at a later age during a rebirthing session as well and learned a curiously powerful form of breathing as well.
Harmonic Singing and Overtone Chanting Examples
Sometimes words are just never enough
I attempted to choose a wide range of styles from ancient to modern. All of them are beautiful, at least in my opinion. There are also some instruction videos as well, if you would like to know how it's done. I have also added my first video attempt as well.
To Find Out More
These are great resources if you want to know more
- Angelic Toning
- This is my page on the service that I provide using this technique and then some.
- Wikipedia on Overtone Chanting
- This is the Wikipedia link for additional info.
- All Experts on Overtone Chanting
- This is a link to some in-depth explanations.
- Sound Healers Association
- This is for the Sound Healers Association that was founded by Jonathan Goldman.
- Jill Purce
- Jill Purce is an expert on Overtone Chanting.
- Harmonic World
- This is the website for David Hykes and the Harmonic Choir.
- Sound Health Inc.
- This is the official website for Sharry Edwards, the originator of BioAcoustics.
- Graphic Treasures
- This is a wonderful site for free graphics. I used some on this lens.
- Biosonics
- This is John Beaulieu's site for his school of sound healing.
- Cymatics a study of Wave Phenomena by Hans Jenny
- Cymatics, the study of wave phenomena, is a science pioneered by Swiss medical doctor and natural scientist, Hans Jenny (1904-1972). ...
- Overtone Music Network
- Overtone Music Network is a free multifunctional platform and portal for people enjoying harmonic, overtone and polyphonic music.
- Harmonic Presence
- Our Foundation organizes international seminars, retreats, concerts and festivals,
sharing global teachings which explore the deep nature of harmony in mind, life, and the universe, and practices which help re-attunement to it.
Through the global sacred music called Harmonic Chant, mindfulness and meditation training, and healing harmonization practices,
we share inspiring ways of opening the heart, clearing the mind, and healing the body.
Our events are a way to bring people together inside and out, for deeper harmony, healing and understanding.
Our work is for all those seeking deeper awareness and attunement to essential nature of harmony in oneself, life, and the universe. - Baird Hersey and PRANA
- Prana is a Sanskrit word meaning: breath, vital energy, life force. It is also an overtone singing choir comprised of professional singers. Singing in their unique style they create beautiful rising harmonies, shimmering vocal textures, and high arcing melodies.
- Overtone Music Network
- Overtone Music Network is a free multifunctional platform and portal for people enjoying harmonic, overtone and polyphonic music.
What Bloggers From Google Have to Say
Updates on What is Happening in Harmonic Singing
On Amazon
When you want to know more
Here are some books by authors that explain it even more for you.
Healing Sounds: The Power of Harmonics
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/07/2008)
Shifting Frequencies
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 10/07/2008)
The Lost Chord
Amazon Price: (as of 10/07/2008)
Harmonic Meditations
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/07/2008)
Healing Powers of Tone & Chant
Amazon Price: $9.31 (as of 10/07/2008)
Reader Feedback
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health_advisor
Very informative. Posted June 17, 2008 |
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RinchenChodron
The first harmonic singers I saw in person where the Tuvan Throat Singers. Wow - great! A 5 star lens. Posted January 08, 2008 |
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RinchenChodron
Very nice lens! I have studied with Johnathon Goldman and would recommend his books. Posted December 17, 2007 |
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flaminglacer
Fascinating lens - Posted June 16, 2007 |
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Horseangel
I enjoyed reading this, thanks for the info. 5 stars! Posted June 16, 2007 |
