Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
I was watching Jeopardy and the clue was about one voice singing two notes at the same time - overtone singing. I'd never heard of it so I googled it and here's an example. How useful it is in real songs is debatable but it is quite amazing.

Check out starting at about 3:18 on the link below - that's where it starts getting really interesting.

https://youtu.be/vC9Qh709gas

Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,093
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,093
Fascinating Josie. I was not aware of this either.

And yes, I do wonder how it might be used in a real song. I would really like to witness a real-world example.

Trevor


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,950
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,950
OK, I am well aware of the overtones associated with a note played by an instrument or sung. It can be very important for achieving a musical tone. But I have never heard what she is singing. No sure this is real?? To my ear a bit creepy. Don't know what to make of this. crazy


Retired to Make Music - No Plan B
My SoundCloud
Preview My Current Project .

Off-Topic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 188
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 188
When I was a youngster in college, I knew a vocalist who could do this. I never heard her use it in a song, but it was still quite a feat.

Dan



Off-Topic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,581
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,581
Josie, that's a great clip. I've only ever heard overtone singing once before. It certainly wasn't to this standard though!

I really appreciate the Youtube clip. Thank you!

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Dan, they said on Jeopardy it's origins are in Japan and there's a Japanese word for it (which was the answer to the clue which I of course forgot). LOL!

It sounds weird as all get out but fascinating. Glad y'all got to see it. I think it would sound too bizarre in a real song.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
This is a tradition in the Mongol area. It was exercised by monks. First time I've learned about this was sometime in the eighties through German tv. You get a lot of hits when you search for Mongolian Throat singing. For instance:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mongolian+throat+singing
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=polyphonic+overtone+singing+mongolian

I was really impressed with this one here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPu9XMMY1Y8


Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
There are many wind instrumentalists who can play 3 and 4 notes at one time. This guy in particular: http://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/26/arts/reviews-music-one-man-trombone-choir.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnaNzUdK9pU

Last edited by raymb1; 03/27/16 05:13 PM.

Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Interesting, Josie B! Thanks for the link.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,503
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,503
I read a book about this, (Tuvan throat singing) and actually watched a documentary about it (rented from Netflix).

There are some who can sing 3 notes at a time. Quite fascinating.

I learned to do two at a time, but I never got good at it. Tried to do 3 but failed at that.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Thanks for posting, Josie.. that really is an interesting clip!
I'm not surprised to hear that the practice is of Asian origin... one of her examples sounded just like an Erhu (an Asian bowed instrument having only one string)

I was especially impressed by her mastery of the technique and her ability to use it in so many ways.

Regarding its weirdness: in the context of western music it seems out of place.. but then, so does the Gregorian chant. I can see this easily fitting into eastern or new age music.

Whoever figured this out in the first place must have had a lot of time to kill... or a really boring and solitary job! ;-)

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Originally Posted By: Pat Marr
Whoever figured this out in the first place must have had a lot of time to kill... or a really boring and solitary job! ;-)


Does being a monk in Asia qualify?


Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,844
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,844
One year at the National Folk Life Festival on the Capitol Mall in DC, China was one of the featured countries. One of the exhibits was a number of folks from the Mongolia area who performed what they called Tuvian Throat Singing. It was amazing to watch and listen to. Two notes from the same person.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 64
cxp Offline
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 64
Singer Bobby McFerrin ("Don't Worry, Be Happy") was known to be capable of polyphonic overtone singing:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_McFerrin

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,191
Posts801,768
Members40,063
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
GlennMans, François Sohm, Armando D'Errico, PhilinPhil, RBDavis1957
40,063 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 126
zedd 109
DC Ron 102
rsdean 101
Noel96 86
Today's Birthdays
jazzkeith, Mavrick20002, Pain-Driven, rolfie, Roycol
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5