The harmonic series is based upon the physics of sound. A sounded tone consists of a fundamental plus a host of partials. The partials add the timbre or the character of the sound, actually enabling us to be able to identify the instrument that produced the sound. This harmonic series consists of a succession of intervals. The overtones (harmonics above the fundamental) for all tonal sounds follow this same sequence of intervals, no matter the starting pitch. The intervals are consistent no matter the starting pitch.
Often it is the overtones that carry the healing frequencies. Given the root chakra at C=256cps the overtones would follow this consistent sequence of intervals, sounding simultaneously.
1. Unison C 2. Octave C 3. Perfect fifth G 4. Octave C 5. Major Third E
6. Perfect fifth G 7. Minor seventh Bb 8. Octave C 9. Major Second D
10. Major third E 11. Augmented fourth F# 12. Perfect fifth G
13. Minor Sixth A 14. Minor Seventh Bb 15. Major seventh B
16. Octave.
When a tone is sounded all of these overtones are sounding as well. The intervals are doing their work on additional chakras and energy bodies in a multidimensional manner. Knowing that this is occurring the songs you make could very well be made more powerful by long sustained tones with little movement between pitches.
Use the closest chakra as the key and fundamental and allow and intend the overtones to feed the vibration to the place of concern. The list above is only the first 4 octaves. Theoretically the series goes on to infinity, progressing from the physical into the spiritual.
Songs simply made of long open toned vowel sounds can be extremely effective to shift vibration., Letting the physics of sound do the work.
Shamans utilize overtone singing by varying the shape of the mouth, the placement of the tongue and using specific phonemes: R, yoo, eeoo, wow, wah-
These sounds, with practice can produce some fantastic tonalities that are powerful vehicles of intentional healing. They feed you as well as your client. Consider layering some of these tones and overtones over your drone or melody.
Using the harmonic series as a source of your melodies can be a powerful resource as well. Bugle songs like Taps, Reverie, Colors, and Horse Race are familiar to all. These intervals can be intentionally manipulated to create powerful healing songs.
Sometimes sounds are more powerful as they have no meaning attached to them. Words in the native language have learned and attached meaning that can interfere with the client’s openness to receive. With phonemes, vowels or another language the listener more likely will surrender to the pure sound.
Listen to Tuvan Overtone Singing
Listen to Tibetan Monks chanting
Nam Ryoho Renge Kyo with overtones
