How do you make a Tibetan bowl sing well?

Have you just acquired your 1st singing bowl and you’re wondering how to use it to its full potential? Making a Tibetan bowl “sing” for the first time can prove complicated but with a bit of practice and making it a habit you will find that it isn’t impossible and it can be both fun and rewarding.

A little bit of theory

A singing bowl is considered a musical instrument in the same way a gong or even cymbals are. From a physical point of view we talk about the “Stick-Slip” phenomenon. It’s a question of friction between two objects to produce a vibration that will vary depending on your execution. Your singing bowl works in a similar way to a violin: vibrations between the bow and the violin aren’t so different to those of the baton on your bowl. The vibration will then resonate inside of the bowl and release the singing bowl’s trademark sounds. 

Choosing the right baton for your bowl

The stick (or mallet) is the first element to take into account if you want to make your bowl “sing” correctly. Generally, there are 2 types: one made of wood, the other wrapped in felt or leather. The mallet’s size can also vary depending on the size of your bowl. In fact, a small mallet will have difficulty resisting the vibrations emitted by a large bowl. Keep in mind therefore that each bowl has a suitable mallet. 

• Wooden mallet : Recommended for small singing bowls (with a diameter smaller than 11 cm). The wooden mallet is used to produce sharp sounds from your bowl. Wood is a material which will help release all of your singing bowl’s frequencies. The sound will therefore be more “raw” and as a whole the notes will be higher than with a leather mallet.

• Leather (or felt) mallet : The most commonly used type of mallet. Generally one end is wooden and the other covered in leather or felt. This mallet can be used with any kind of singing bowl, whatever the size. The sound produced is deeper and more “muffled”. Usually it’s this kind of sound that is most sought after during meditation sessions.

Bowl position

First of all, adopt a comfortable position. Whether that be standing-up, sitting, or lying down, the important thing is that you are comfortable. Straighten your back and backbone then open your ribcage. Relax and take a few seconds to breathe deeply. Then place the bowl in the palm of your left hand (if you are right-handed) whilst taking care not to cover your singing bowl with your fingers. The vibrations and sounds will travel through the sides of your bowl and if your fingers are blocking these vibrations then no sound will come out.

Hold the mallet in your right-hand between your thumb and index finger as if you were holding a pen. Ensure your grip is firm enough whilst also keeping flexibility in your hand and wrist. Don’t tense up! The use of a singing bowl is dedicated to relaxation, well-being and meditation, so your attitude must be in sync with the object. 

You are now ready to indulge in your bowl’s sounds. Two very different methods are used to produce sounds with a singing bowl and we are going to look at each of these in detail.

The striking method

The striking method is probably the most intuitive way to use a singing bowl. With the help of your mallet just lightly hit the outside of your bowl in the same way as a gong or bell. Let your mallet be carried away by its own weight during your movement, do not hit it deliberately. The mallet must hit the bowl in the most parallel way possible. The sound produced will be clear and precise, the vibrations will dissipate quickly or slowly depending on your bowl. 

The striking method is often used to begin a meditation session. It is an invitation for relaxation and internal reflection. Your body will easily absorb this sound and instinctively prepare itself to progress further.

The rubbing method

If you want to acquire a singing bowl you will most certainly use it this way. This method is more complex but allows you to tap into your bowl’s full potential.

First of all we have to give what we call “momentum”. This consists of delicately hitting your bowl with your mallet. The hit must be light and brief, the intention is just to “charge” your bowl. As soon as the sound reverberates, rub the outside of your bowl with your mallet. Your movements must be uniform and regular, but don’t go too fast! This will be useless and you won’t get any results. If you have totally lost the sound, don’t worry and just start again, it’s normal in the beginning and the more you use your bowl, the more you will get used to holding the note and playing with it.

During your entire movement, the mallet must be held vertically. Also keep in mind that it’s not your wrist which starts the mallet’s movement but actually your entire arm.

Rotation speed is measured based on your feeling- let yourself be carried away by the sound of your bowl. Speed-up, slow down, hold your mallet firmly or loosely, vary the inclination of your mallet in relation to your bowl.

The more you rub your mallet on the upper side of your bowl, the more precise and high-pitched the sound produced will be. Conversely, to be able to bring out deep and profound sounds, it is better to rub the mallet more against the central part of your singing bowl. Once you get the hang of it you will be able to produce a wide variety of sounds with your bowl. When it is too powerful, you will feel your mallet start to vibrate and automatically lift away from the surface of your bowl, this is your bowl’s saturation point. It is different for each bowl and it will be up to you to play with this limit during your singing bowl sessions.

Going further

Being able to make a bowl “sing” is an art which requires patience and concentration. Once you get the hang of it you will be able to produce a large variety of sounds using this unique bowl. You can also use several different bowls to create harmony and establish a soothing atmosphere great for relaxation and meditation. Fill your bowl ¾ with water, the vibrations will not last as long but they will be noticeable to the naked eye and it can be very relaxing to watch these hypnotising shapes working with the frequency produced by your bowl.

Don’t forget that the singing bowl is an instrument that allows you to focus on yourself, to meditate and even sometimes let go. There is no better way to use a Tibetan bowl. You will feel the connection between yourself and your bowl, playing with the sound produced and letting yourself be carried away by its mesmerising sounds.