Singing bowls are traced back to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition that evolved centuries ago in the Himalayas. Originally used to eat out of or to lay out offerings for Buddha, singing bowls, because of the uniquely restful timbre they produce, have since become meditative aids, and are now considered percussive instruments in their own right.
How to Play a Singing Bowl
A singing bowl is played with a special beater, which is called a puja. The puja is simply a wooden stick wound with soft material at one end and can be used to tap the sides or drawn around the rim of the bowl in a circular motion to vibrate the walls and produce that signature singing note. Essentially, all you need is a singing bowl and puja, but if you want to play in full comfort, you can sit on a special meditation cushion.
The Singing Bowl in Music, Music Therapy & Meditation
Singing bowls are still used to aid mediation as well as for various healing practices. Due to the immediately restful, resonant tone of a singing bowl, they promote a calming atmosphere that helps improve the focus involved in meditation. Also, every singing bowl will produce a slightly different sound, so you can pick out a bowl depending on its unique character. Singing bowls are even used in alternative sports massage because the vibrations of the bowl are able to resonate deep into the body to loosen up muscles. More relaxation tools can also be found in our range of meditation and sound-therapy instruments.
What Kind of Singing Bowl is Best?
Singing bowls with a very short sustain (which describes how long the bowl resonates for) are often used to end a meditation session. Singing bowls that produce a lower pitched note with a long sustain are more suited for sound baths, de-stressing sessions or during meditation. The size of the singing bowl you need will depend on what you want it for. A smaller singing bowl will be easier to travel with, for example, while a large singing bowl is best kept in one place since it would be too heavy to carry from place to place. How thick the wall of a singing bowl is will also make a difference: the thicker the wall, the longer the bowl is able to resonate. Some singing bowls also come decorated with details like a painted or printed mantra.
How Are Singing Bowls Made?
Sound bowls can be made of various different materials and each will offer its own sonic character. Most sound bowls will be made of some kind of metal that's been cast or forged into shape, but you can also get crystal singing bowls which are usually cast.
How Does a Singing Bowl Work?
Singing bowls are idiophonic instruments, meaning that they are able to produce a sound without the need of airflow or a drumhead. When a singing bowl is tapped or the puja (a special beater) is drawn around the edge, the wall of the bowl vibrates and resonates, and the sound is then projected by the shape of the bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions About Singing Bowls
At how many Hertz does a singing bowl resonate?
The pitch, and therefore the wavelength (measured in Hertz) at which a singing bowl resonates will differ depending on the model. Larger bowls usually have a lower pitch than smaller bowls but not always, because the wall thickness also influences the pitch.
What are singing bowls used for?
Among other things, singing bowls are used during meditation, for various alternative therapies, and even for alternative sports massage.
How does a singing bowl make sound?
Singing bowls are made from highly resonant materials so that, when the bowl is lightly struck or a puja (special beater) is drawn around the edge, the walls vibrate and the sound that results is projected out by the shape of the bowl.
How is a singing bowl played?
A singing bowl is played by tapping the sides with a special beater called a puja, or by running a puja around the edge.
