Enhancing Throat Singing Skills THROUGH Traditional Breathing Exercises: Field-Based Observations OF Student Practice

Abstract

This study investigates how traditional breathing exercises impact the development of breath control in khöömii (throat singing) among students at the Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture (MNUAC). Field-based training sessions were conducted in natural environments to promote embodied vocal learning. The authors tested the claim that the length of breathing will be greater after training in the countryside, when compared to training in the classroom. Testing involved the use of two exercises “Counting White Bottles” and “Counting Bowls” to assess their effects on students’ breath endurance and capacity. Changes in the number of syllables vocalized in a single breath and the duration of exhalation were measured using a chronometric method. The findings revealed no major difference in these factors, between the two locations. However, a significant improvement in students' breath control, vocal strength, and timbre was observed by all three Instructors. Field training exercises may instead, have an important, significant effect on improving khöömii performance.