Sygyt

Sygyt is a technique used in Tuvan throat singing (khoomei) that utilizes a mid-range fundamental and produces a high-pitched, rather piercing harmonic reminiscent of whistling. The technique is different from khoomei as the fundamental is completely attenuated, and has a higher pitch (although, in Tuvan and Mongolian, xöömej can also refer to throat-singing in general). Melodies are created by isolating the 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th partial in the Harmonic series (music) (So, Do, Re, Mi and So in Solfege). The performers mouth should remain in a constant "ur" position, except to acheive the lower So, when it is necessary to round the lips in an "O". The remaining notes are formed by incrementally shifting from an internal "ur" vowel for Do to an "E" for the high So. The teeth are lightly clenched and the tongue is slightly bowled. The base pitch is typically around a G below Middle C.