Tibetan Monks chant prayers

It was in a World Music class I took a couple years ago, where I was first introduced to the incredible phenomenon of throat singing or overtone singing.  It sent chills down my spine.  Our professor even tried to emulate the amazing sound himself, but had not yet mastered the circular breathing necessary to produce the distinct sound.  Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to witness an R&B Tuvan Throat singing group at Lincoln Center.  The quality of the sound was layered with such depth and richness, I am still haunted by the memory of its beauty.  Throat singing is a traditional practice which dates back thousands of years to ancient pastoral animism which is still practiced in some parts of Asia today.

I am humbled to present to you a small clip of Tibetan Monks, utilizing this technique in their chanting.

(Check out the video after the jump.)

Namasté