Vocal Harmonics

Harmonics are important for healing. By working with them you will start to resonate deep inside your body.

Dr. Alfred Tomatis who spent his whole life investigating the ear, sound, and healing, showed that sound rich in high frequency harmonics actually charges the brain with energy. Sound with low frequency vibrations (eg computer hum) robs the brain of energy – leaving us feeling tired and drained.

Vowel sounds are created by stressing certain harmonics – we do it all the time automatically. To create audible harmonics start by making vowel sounds, then alter the tongue, lips, cheeks, etc while listening closely.

“The voice can only duplicate those harmonics that the ear can hear” – (Dr. Alfred Tomatis)

In other words, the ear needs training to hear harmonics, otherwise those energies cannot be expressed in the voice.

Firstly, take a deep breath right down as low as you can, then purse your lips making an “mmmmm” sound, then move through the vowel sounds below. Some may work better than others – it doesn’t matter! The important thing is just to have fun experimenting. It helps to cup one hand behind an ear, while holding the other palm a few inches in front of your mouth to reflect the sound back to the ears. This helps you to hear the harmonics. Keep practising – the bathroom is a good place as the hard walls reflect the sound back to you.
Vowel Sound like this Harmonics at the lips
UU MMMUUU Move continuously between these sounds, with lips pursed to emphasise harmonics.
OH MMMOH (Go)
AH MMMAAA (Ah)
EYE MMMIII (My)
AY MMMAY
EE MMMEEE

Now sound an elongated MMMMOOOOOOORRRRRRR (More) with lips pursed, sound in the front at the lips. As you tighten the lips and mouth you should hear a whistling sound above the basic tone.

Now for harmonics in the nasal cavity (this is good for sinuses & headaches). Really nasalise the sound, again start with the “nnnnnnn” sound then run through the vowels:
Vowel Sound like this Nasal Harmonics
UU NNNUUU Move continuously between these sounds.
OH NNNOH (as in Go)
AH NNNAAA (as in Ah)
EYE NNNIII (as in My)
AY NNNAY
EE NNNEEE

NNNNUUUU-RRRR – start nasally, then change to a “her” sound, control higher harmonics by sliding tip of tongue roughly ¼” behind teeth. You will eventually hit a high whistle-like tone. Then try changing the shape of your mouth.

Harmonics at the back of the throat:
GUNG GONG GANG GING (repeat round and round). This opens and closes the glottis, giving a burst of high frequency harmonics. Nasalise the sound to further emphasise harmonics.

Try combining different techniques:
MMMMMMOOOOORRRRRRR (more)
NNNNNNUUUUUU-RRRRRR (her)
NNNNN GONG NNNNN GANG NNNNNUUUUUU-RRRRRRR MMMMMMOOOOORRRRRR etc.

WWWWWOOOOOOWWWWW (wow) – then nasalise it for more harmonics.

HHHHHUUUUURRRRRRREEEEEEE (her-Ree) – from the back of the throat to the front.

Go slowly from any vowel to another, to create harmonics. Focus your attention on one harmonic, hold it, then focus on making it louder. Imagine the energy of the harmonic coming inside your body into an area where there is stiffness or a blockage, and let the harmonic resonate inside you. Sit in silence after sounding.