multiphonic

Multiphonics refers to the production of more than one pitch simultaneously from a single musical source. The term is used in both vocal and instrumental contexts to describe a range of techniques that generate additional tones beyond the conventional single-note output. In practice, multiphonics can create a sense of polyphony or chordal texture from a single instrument or voice.

In vocal music, overtone singing is the most widely cited form of multiphonics. Singers manipulate the shape of the vocal tract to amplify higher resonant frequencies while sustaining a fundamental pitch, producing a secondary melody or drone that accompanies the voice. This technique is notably associated with traditions in Tuva, Mongolia, and parts of Siberia, but has also been explored in contemporary and cross-cultural performances.

In instrumental practice, multiphonics are an extended technique used especially on wind instruments such as clarinet, saxophone, and flute. Players obtain two or more pitches at once through a combination of unusual fingerings, embouchure adjustments, breath control, and venting, often guided by contemporary notation. Not all instruments or players can execute multiphonics with the same reliability, and techniques are highly instrument-specific.

Applications of multiphonics appear primarily in contemporary classical, experimental, and jazz contexts, where composers and performers seek new timbral and harmonic possibilities. Notation and pedagogy vary by instrument and piece, with some scores detailing exact pitches, others indicating general ranges, and some relying on descriptive text.

See also extended techniques, overtone singing, throat singing, polyphony.